The first episode of "Feud" season 1 begins with Rupert Campbell-Blake and Betty having steamy sex on a plane. After their not-so-secret rendezvous, Rupert and his lady returned to their seats. From the looks the women on the plane gave Rupert, they thought he could fly. On board the plane was Lord Tony Badingham, the owner of Corinium TV and a rival of Rupert's. Tony quickly tries to embarrass Rupert, but the latter takes it in stride, allowing Tony to taste his own medicine. Rupert mentions Tony's station and how it will soon fail. Tony responded by announcing that he had just hired a new producer, Cameron Cook. He has high hopes for Corinium's rise to greatness.
Elsewhere, amidst the bustling atmosphere of the BBC, we encounter Declan O'Hara, a journalist who exudes charm while unapologetically wielding his ruthless edge. His initial encounter with the Deputy Prime Minister goes awry, leaving him feeling constrained and frustrated. In a bold move, Declan decides to unravel the politician's clandestine endeavors outside the sanctity of marriage before storming off the set in a flurry of indignation.
As fate would have it, in the calm of his waiting room, Declan crosses paths with Tony, who propositions him with an enticing offer: a job at his independent television station. Initially hesitant, Declan finds himself lured by the prospect of hosting a live show, a challenge that ignites his competitive spirit. Tony further piques his interest by revealing his ambitions of expanding globally, leveraging the power of satellite technology. Declan, seeking time to weigh his decision with his wife, Maud, receives a token signing bonus from Tony, who triumphantly returns home to his beloved spouse.
Days later, the O'Hara clan arrives in Rutshire County, the girls, Taggie and Caitlin, buzzing with anticipation as they draw closer to their new abode. However, their mother's demeanor remains guarded, unable to match their exhilaration. Amidst the commotion, a neighbor, Lizzie Vereker, introduces herself, weaving into the family's fabric with warmth. Lizzie soon discovers the intricacies of Taggie's struggles with dyslexia and her tumultuous summer fling, anxiously awaiting a letter from her erstwhile lover. Caitlin, on the other hand, navigates the threshold of boarding school with a mischievous agenda, harboring dreams of bedding Rupert before her departure.
Lizzie, an erotic romance novelist, finds herself languishing in a creative drought, her married life and maternal duties having consumed her writing muse. She stands out as one of the few in town who harbors no romantic fancies for Rupert. Meanwhile, Declan excuses himself from the familial commotion, eager to embark on his professional journey at Corinium.
At Corinium, anticipation hangs heavy in the air as staff and paparazzi alike eagerly await Declan's arrival. His presence stirs a ripple of envy among the staff, particularly James Vereker, but Declan remains unaffected, his focus fixed on meeting his new producer, Cameron Cook. To his surprise, Cameron is a black woman, a stark contrast to the male figure he had envisioned. This unexpected revelation fuels his skepticism, as he doubts her competence. He also finds fault with the set design, his dissatisfaction palpable. Nevertheless, Tony's wisdom prevails, urging Declan to grant Cameron a fair chance, setting the stage for an unpredictable and eventful collaboration.
Cameron triumphantly locks in Declan's premier guest: Johnny Friedlnder, a renowned actor who, mired in a sex tape controversy, has eluded interviews for a staggering five years. Rumors swirl that Johnny is poised to become the next James Bond, adding a layer of intrigue to the upcoming interview. However, Declan harbors ambitions to sit down with none other than Jackie Kennedy. Agreeing to Cameron's plan, he stipulates a condition—extensive research on his target. Despite Cameron's mutual disdain for Declan, Tony tasks her with navigating this delicate balance, recognizing that their collaboration holds the key to boosting ratings and securing the IBA contract renewal. Failure means the future of everyone at the station hangs precariously in the balance.
Elsewhere, Taggie accompanies Lizzie back to her abode, only to stumble upon a curious sight—smoke billowing from a neighbor's abode. Without hesitation, she dashes to a payphone, summoning firefighters, then rushes to the scene, adrenaline pumping. To her astonishment, the supposed inferno turns out to be nothing more than Rupert tending to his post-harvest fields, burning stubble. Even more astounding is the spectacle of Rupert, stripped bare, engaging in a tennis match with a similarly nude companion. Taggie is dumbfounded by his disregard for local wildlife, labeling him abhorrent, prompting a swift ejection from Rupert's domain.
Having stormed out of Tony's office in a fit of frustration, Declan happens upon Charles at the cozy Bas Baddingham bar. Despite being Tony's stepbrother, Charles and Tony share a harmonious rapport. Charles, a seasoned veteran of the BBC like Declan, offers sage advice: Tony is notorious for holding grudges and insisting on doing things his way. He lauds Cameron as a genius and urges Declan to forge a productive partnership with her. Declan finds himself inclined to heed Charles's counsel, their shared BBC background fostering a sense of trust.
Freddie's assessment rings true; Cameron possesses a keen understanding of audience appetites and relishes the opportunity to cater to them. Hailing from New York, she embodies a resilient spirit, unfazed by challenges and eager to prove her mettle. Her prowess is evident as she assists Tony in impressing Lady Gosling, a pivotal investor and IBA board member. Lady Gosling, impressed, suggests Tony consider appointing Rupert to the Corinium board, a move intended to bolster the company's credibility.
At the bustling O'Hara abode, Taggie and Maud engage in a frenzied preparation for Declan's much-anticipated welcome bash, to be held at Tony's splendid residence. Taggie, visibly unimpressed, scoffs at Maud's choice of attire, a dress that seemed to hold no novelty for her critical eye. Their apprehension echoes Caitlin's, all of them fearing that their mother's penchant for causing chaos might yet again ruin the evening, compelling their early departure. Their misgivings are not unfounded, for tales of her past misadventures precede them.
At the soirée, Tony and his graceful wife, Monica, eagerly anticipate the arrival of the O'Hara clan, their hearts warmed by the prospect of warm camaraderie. Bas, meanwhile, is delighted to cross paths with Mud, a former cinematic muse whose performances once captured his heart.
Whispers of romance circulate among the guests, revealing Freddie's clandestine union with Gerld, Rupert's trusted confidant. Elsewhere, Lizzie and her spouse find themselves trapped in a marriage struggling for breath, while the Joneses, now settled at Green Lawns, mirror their discontent, their union shrouded in unhappiness. An unlikely bond forms between Lizzie and Freddie as they commiserate over the oppressive grip of their partners and share a fondness for indulgent snacks.
Tony extends an olive branch, inviting Rupert to join the board, but his gesture is met with a stinging rejection, played out for the O'Haras' startled gazes. Yet, the evening's most salacious revelation stems from Maud's unabashed admiration for Rupert, her infatuation as brazen as it is untimely. For Rupert's scandalous tennis match with Sarah, the wife of Paul Stratton, has already surfaced, sparking a fiery confrontation where fists nearly fly.
Taggie, inadvertently the catalyst behind the scandal's exposure, finds herself apologizing profusely to Rupert, her heart heavy with guilt. On the flip side, Beattie, betrayed by Rupert's infidelity, vows vengeance, her resolve steely.
Amidst the commotion, Cameron remains steadfast at the studio, pouring her heart and soul into recreating Declan's iconic set. Frustration simmers within her as doubters, even the humble set workers, question her every move, fueling her fiery determination to prove them wrong.
The O'Haras make their way back to their homestead, where Declan confronts his wife, accusing her of engaging in flirtatious behavior with Rupert. She counters, voicing her discontent at having traded London's vibrant life for a provincial existence as a housewife. She laments the dreariness and perceived snobbishness of the local populace, declaring herself bored and unhappy with her current circumstances. As their heated discussion escalates, a surprising twist emerges: amidst their differences with the villagers, they find themselves united in ridicule, laughing heartily at the artificiality and pomposity that seemed to pervade their surroundings.
They end up having sex all night long, much to the children's chagrin. The O'Haras weren't the only couple rolling around in bed, as most couples went home to have sex with their partners. The most surprising pair, however, is Tony and Cameron. Only Rupert went home alone. He gets a call from the Prime Minister and sets off to meet her.
The dawn of the next day brought Tony face to face with Rupert, ensconced in his office, the air thick with tension. Rupert's words hit Tony like a cold shower, forewarning him of the Prime Minister's displeasure over the ministers' private affairs spilling into the public eye. As a consequence, Paul had been relegated to the shadows of the backbenches, and Rupert, now the Minister of Sports, stood tall in his newfound position.
But Rupert's counsel didn't end there; he sternly admonished Tony to steer clear of his affairs, drawing a line in the sand. Tony seethed inwardly, his frustration palpable, resentful that Rupert's position remained unscathed while his own feelings of injustice simmered. The realization that Rupert's career had emerged unscathed from the storm sent a wave of anger coursing through Tony's veins.
