Episode 1 of "The Leopard" unfolds in the month of April 1860, as the Italian peninsula lies fragmented into disparate kingdoms. In the northern regions, whispers of unification echo through the land, stirring the hearts of many. Palermo, the bustling port capital, tightens its grip on preparedness for impending conflict, as General Garibaldi marshals his forces to reclaim Sicily from the Bourbons. His fervent adherents grow increasingly militant, their patience wearing thin.
In the north of Sicily, the kingdom of Salinas stands firm under the reign of Prince Fabrizio, alias "The Leopard," whose indomitable spirit leads him to wander freely through Palermo even under curfew's iron grip. Those withBourbon connections tremble in fear, for they have become marks for retribution. Mindful of this peril, Fabrizio rushes to retrieve his daughter, Concetta, from the safety of a convent, navigating the treacherous streets with urgency.
En route, disaster strikes as the captain of Palermo is ambushed by rebels. Fabrizio, fearless, attempts to rescue him, narrowly escaping with his life. Clutching to the misconception that Garibaldi remains in Genoa, he comforts himself with the belief that rebel fervor will soon wane.
Returning home, Concetta is enveloped in the warm embrace of her numerous siblings. However, her eldest brother, Paolo, seethes with anxiety over the volatile political climate, his mind consumed by the specter of war. Fabrizio, ever the philosopher, dismisses the rebellion with a casual remark about the scorching heat dampening the rebels' spirits.
As Concetta wanders the estate, serendipity leads her to an outhouse where her cousin, Tancredi, resides in secret. There, she stumbles upon inflammatory pamphlets, the smoking gun of his rebellion. Confronting him, a fierce debate ensues, their political ideologies clashing like swords. Tancredi, enchanted by the promise of industrialization and progress heralded by the Italian government, finds himself captivated by the rebel cause. Concetta, however, remains unconvinced but pledges to guard his secret, as long as he stays out of harm's way. Amused by her concern, Tancredi realizes that beneath her disapproval lies a genuine affection for his welfare.
Elsewhere, Fabrizio ventures to visit a tenant farmer in Argivocale, who finds himself unable to meet the oppressive tribute demands. Yet, Fabrizio is acutely aware that the true perpetrator of this injustice is Russo, his treacherous guard, who has been systematically stealing from the farm. Giving Russo a final chance to redeem himself, Fabrizio demands loyalty and insists that the welfare of the tenants be prioritized.
In the meantime, Tancredi finds moments amidst his duties to pen heartfelt letters to Concetta. As the war intensifies, becoming increasingly brutal, his missives become shorter and more hurried. One fateful day, a bloodied Sicilian soldier stumbles onto their estate, leaving Bendico, their loyal pet dog, to discover his lifeless body. Seizing the opportunity, Paolo again attempts to cast aspersions on Tancredi, accusing him of dividing their kingdom. However, Fabrizio rebukes his son sharply for his unfair criticisms.
When Concetta receives no further letters from Tancredi, her concern grows to the point where she violates her promise and confides in her father. To her surprise, he reveals that he had been aware of the situation and had hoped Tancredi would eventually come to his senses. He then visits Tancredi in prison, where the latter wonders why his uncle allows him such freedoms.
Fabrizio unburdens himself to a prostitute, confessing his undying love for his sister who, unfortunately, married a fool and ended her days in poverty. He adopted Tancredi, often contemplating that his nephew possesses a sharper mind than his own flesh and blood. The next morning, Fabrizio resorts to bribery, paying an enormous price—the entirety of Argivocale, a vast territory that has been the cornerstone of Salina's prosperity—to the governor, Leonforte, to secure Tancredi's release.
Tancredi, however, is disheartened by the thought of abandoning his comrades. Fabrizio simply whisks him away to a club, determined to squash any rumors that might tarnish their reputation. As everyone raises a toast to Tancredi, Leonforte observes silently from the sidelines. Fabrizio's final gambit involves witnessing an execution, a harrowing spectacle that deeply disturbs Tancredi. Among the rebels is a young boy who, in his final moments, weeps for his mother before being shot.
