As the premiere episode of "Plum" unfolds, we witness Peter Lum (portrayed by Brendan Cowell) sustaining an injury at Boothferry Park in Northern England, the year being 2001. Our narrator's compassion is evident for Peter and his pregnant wife, Renee (played by Asher Keddie), as they endure this unforeseen setback. Peter is administered smelling salts, urging him to regain his composure and return to the fray.
Fast forward to Cronulla, Sydney, in 2018, where Peter rises, engaging briefly with Ains. Without delay, he dives into his workout routine. Later, Renee pays him a visit at their home, their conversation steering towards their son Gavin (Vincent Miller) and the dilemma of whether he should complete his schooling. Peter advocates for him to pursue a trade, reminding Renee of their limited communication since her pregnancy and her subsequent decision to ask him to leave.
Later, Peter socializes with Matt (Wayne McDaniel), Brick (John Tui), and others while they watch a race. He insists that Charmayne (Maria Duplaa) hasn't blacklisted him, merely noting his involvement in a corporate event at Sharks Leagues Club that evening. Peter starts feeling peculiar, only realizing later that Matt had offered him a beer. Intrigued, Squeaky (Josh McConville) is questioned about the origin of his nickname.
On the bus, Peter overhears a man calling his name. Upon joining Charmayne at her place, his mind keeps drifting back to the mysterious figure. They deliberate on naming their café "Plum's Café," with Peter's thoughts frequently returning to the enigmatic man who had assured him of seeing light at the end of the tunnel. When he glances back, the man is nowhere to be found.
Elsewhere, Gavin confides in Ainslee (Talijah Blackman-Corowa) about scoring a goal in front of a packed stadium. Peter attends a fundraising quiz night, with Wocko intent on quizzing him, confident that Peter will know the answers to most questions. During the session, Peter spots the man in the distance once more, causing him to lose focus and struggle with subsequent questions. Gavin steps in to rescue him.
Peter collapses, while Gavin plays on, drawing inspiration from his father's advice. At a gathering, Gavin searches for Henry, with Oliver (Jemaine Clement) also present. Peter engages in a conversation with Kaia, who shares tales of hurricanes, causing Peter to zone out yet again. Charmayne chats with Renee and other women, who invite her to join the Esplanade Walking Club. Renee entrusts Tallulah to Charmayne's care. Oliver addresses the crowd, thanking everyone for attending Tallulah's christening and commending Gavin for leading his team to a convincing semifinal victory.
Peter seeks a private conversation with Brick, only to be interrupted by Renee, who joins him. She inquires about an incident on Wednesday, wondering if he had fallen off a stage. Peter avoids the topic, retreating upstairs to survey his surroundings. Oliver locates him in the bathroom, inviting him to join the practice session if he wishes to confide in someone. Their discussion revolves around Kaia and Gavin, with Oliver acknowledging the potential for friction between Kaia and Renee.
Later, Peter strolls alongside Charmayne, Gavin, and Ains, immersing himself in their world. Charmayne remarks that Renee's sudden kindness towards her left her feeling strangely unsettled. The quartet retreats to a private space, where passions ignite, culminating in a tender intimate encounter. Post-coital, Peter mentions a possible kitchen excursion to check on the younger ones, prompting Charmayne to remind him of their unspoken rule: to leave Redfern behind and forget their worries. She confesses her unlikely, yet conceivable, chances of conception.
Peter, now feeling a pang in his back, engages Gavin in conversation about the latter's dreams of escaping somewhere once they achieve victory. Ains, accompanied by her friends, plans a fortnight escape to Bali, a future Peter wishes to precede their deeper discussions by securing a win. They share light-hearted moments, but Peter's discomfort intensifies, leading him to search for pain relief medication. A call from his friends beckons him to join them, and soon Peter finds himself diving into the inviting waters of an outdoor pool.
Later, he crosses paths with Brick, and together they venture towards the beach, the rhythm of their exercise filling the air. Meanwhile, Charmayne finds herself questioning Gavin about Peter's consumption of seventeen beers the previous night, sensing that not all is well. She hesitates to confront Peter, fearing his shutdown demeanor. Elsewhere, Chris Davidson (played by Matt Nable) engages in a poignant discussion with Dana Hanlon (portrayed by Jenni Baird). Chris eulogizes Dana's father as a true rugby league gentleman, while Dana reveals his brain's deterioration, hinting at CTE. She urges Chris to pay his respects and seeks reinstatement, but Chris dismisses it as a non-issue. Dana reveals her father's brain has been sent for testing in Boston. Chris acknowledges rugby league's fascination with compelling narratives and asks Dana to contact him if she uncovers anything significant.
Feeling overwhelmed by the crowd during his run, Peter decides to depart. Brick catches up, puzzled by Peter's actions. As they sit, Peter shares his experiences of déjà vu, which intrigue Brick. Noticing nearby people, Brick suggests grabbing food to go, initially encouraging Peter to join their earlier festivities but later changing his mind. Peter confides that he thought breaking the news to their children would be the hardest part, imagining the mess and financial drain the gym represents when they eventually part ways.
Meanwhile, Charmayne joins Renee and others at the walking club, expressing gratitude for the invitation. Renee mentions Gavin's frequent discourse about Charmayne, believing that motherhood has transformed her. Renee offers an open ear if Charmayne struggles to break through life's barriers. Charmayne attends Lexi's intense HIT class, while Peter learns of a new rule: an eighteenth player can be substituted if a player is suspected of concussion. Peter decries this development, fearing it might turn their game into a fragmented version of American football.
As he drives, Peter's frustration boils over. He calls Charmayne, his tone unsettling. He proposes another overseas adventure, but Charmayne firmly reminds him of their commitment to focusing on Plum's Café for the next eighteen months, ending the call with a decisive finality.
Brick's companion endeavors to share with him the concept he and Charmayne had cooked up, but Brick retreats to his chamber, shunning all attempts at engagement. Meanwhile, Peter heads to his workplace, expressing to Graham his unwavering dedication, stating that he wouldn't wish to be anywhere else. However, Brick succumbs to the temptation of drugs. Graham alerts Pete that he seems to have veered slightly off course. Peter appears disoriented, and Graham tries to warn him that a metaphorical 'Dreamliner' is descending upon him, but his words fall on deaf ears. A fellow passenger on a plane, noticing Peter's distress, captures the moment on camera as he suffers a seizure. Swiftly, Peter is rushed to a hospital. Renee arrives on the scene, cradling their baby, and checks on Peter's condition. Overwhelmed with emotion, he begins to weep.
