The inaugural episode unfolds amidst the heart of Florence, where the plague has gripped the city in its deadly embrace. The streets are awash with the sobering spectacle of dying souls, the impoverished scrounging for sustenance amidst the corpses, and the unfortunate deceased being hastily discarded into the river's murky depths. Yet, amidst this apocalyptic chaos, the affluent elite plot their escape to the serene confines of Villa Santa, a haven beyond the city's grasp.
Enter Pampinea, the villa's soon-to-be mistress, brimming with anticipation at the prospect of her arrival and the union with her betrothed. Unperturbed by the devastation below, she naively inquires of her maid, Misia (portrayed by the charismatic Saoirse-Monica Jackson of Derry Girls fame), whether her soon-to-be husband would mourn her passing with the same fervor as the man weeping over his deceased wife in the streetscape below.
Then, there's Filomena (essayed by the endearing Jessica Plummer of EastEnders), a privileged yet eccentric oddity from another wealthy clan. As her father's life ebbs away from the plague in the adjacent chamber, Filomena, heedless of his plight, commands her servant, Licisca, to abandon nursing duties and attend to her vanity instead. The urgency of their situation is interrupted by a knock at the door, offering Filomena an invitation to Villa Santa, courtesy of her father's cousin. Eager to flee the plague-ridden metropolis, she readily accepts, even as Licisca pleads for them to remain and tend to their beloved patriarch.
Among the city's elite, stands Tindaro, a nobleman from a prestigious family whose awkward demeanor and myriad afflictions have rendered him loveless. The prospect of a countryside retreat ignites a glimmer of hope within him; perhaps, this could be his chance to find solace in the arms of a future wife.
Lastly, the devout Neifile and her husband Panfilo, the charismatic yet cunning scion of a powerful political dynasty in Florence, grace the villa's guest list. Their union appears idyllic from afar, yet beneath the surface lies a marriage devoid of intimacy, a chasm that threatens to consume them both.
As the first to grace the threshold of the idyllic country villa, Pampinea arrives with a heart laden with disappointment, finding her intended husband, the esteemed Viscount Leonardo, absent to greet her. Little does she fathom that he has already succumbed to the very plague they all fled to the countryside to evade, his life extinguished in its relentless grasp. Despite this unforeseen sorrow, Pampinea makes herself at ease within the villa's confines, unaware of her betrothed's tragic fate.
Meanwhile, Misia, a pillar of steadfastness, ensures that Sirisco, the villa's diligent steward, and the rest of the household staff comprehend her unwavering commitment to overseeing Pampinea's every need. Her vigilance extends even to a cherished barrel of ale, brought along from the city, its significance to be revealed in due course.
In the bustling city, Filomena weaves a web of deceit, informing Licisca that her father has passed, a falsehood concocted solely to expedite their escape to the villa. However, Filomena's fervent desire to reach the countryside stems not from a fear of the black death, but rather from a burning ambition to secure a husband. As they hastily pack their belongings, tensions flare between the two women, culminating in a heated altercation where Licisca, consumed by anger, shoves Filomena over the bridge's edge. When Filomena fails to resurface, Licisca, unperturbed, continues her solitary journey to the villa.
Upon her arrival, Licisca assumes the guise of Filomena, seamlessly slipping into the luxurious lifestyle befitting one of means. Her assumed identity goes unchallenged, and soon she captivates the attention of Dioneo, who, unbeknownst to him, is flirting with the wrong woman. While Dioneo's affections are set on the perceived Filomena, Neifile and her husband Panfilo harbor secret desires for him, their hearts fluttering uncontrollably at the sight of this alluring stranger. The air is thick with unspoken longing and desire, as the intricate dance of emotions unfolds amidst the tranquility of the country villa.
Dioneo, still smitten with Licisca, extends an invitation for a morning stroll, hoping to steal a moment of intimacy. However, their quiet moment is abruptly shattered by Tindaro's intrusion, who seizes the chance to woo Licisca himself, creating an excruciatingly awkward scene. Dioneo, consumed by jealousy, withdraws, only to return later with a sinister plan. As Tindaro returns, beaming with renewed spirits, Dioneo surreptitiously administers a potion, rendering him ill and incapacitated in his pursuit of Licisca.
As the guests convene for the welcoming feast, Pampinea's anxiety over her absent fiancé's whereabouts lingers. Lacking self-assurance, she finds solace in the reassuring words of Neifile and Licisca, who insist that her youthful charm transcends her perceived 'ripe old age' of twenty-eight.
The dinner commences amidst flirtatious exchanges, with Licisca coquettishly perched on Dioneo's knee, only to be disrupted by Tindaro's feeble attempts to reclaim her attention amidst his bouts of illness. In another corner of the villa, Misia descends to the cellar to retrieve a barrel of ale, accompanied by her lover from the city. But her companion's frail state becomes evident, and when Misia revisits later, she discovers her lover's lifeless body.
Grief-stricken, Misia frantically endeavors to conceal the corpse before it's discovered. As she hurries to dispose of the body in the gardens, she stumbles upon an even more shocking sight—the lifeless form of Leonardo, the villa's owner and intended groom of Misia's mistress, Pampinea. Stunned and horrified, Misia and Sirisco forge a pact of silence: Sirisco will keep Misia's secret about bringing the plague-stricken lover to the villa, while Misia will conceal Leonardo's death.
Just as the banquet threatens to return to its festive atmosphere, chaos erupts as armed bandits violently breach the villa's tranquility. The melee escalates until Licisca, spotting a bandit marked by the telltale signs of the plague, decisively ends his life with a peacock's head, stunning all in attendance.
As the situation spirals out of control, a knock at the door ignites fresh anticipation. Pampinea's heart leaps, hoping it's Leonardo at last, only to be confronted with the bedraggled, bloodied form of the real Filomena, dripping from her recent river ordeal. Licisca now faces an insurmountable challenge: how to explain away this unexpected twist of fate.
