Episodes
In 19th century Amherst, Massachusetts, a young Emily Dickinson is tired of her family's attempts to find her a suitor. The ...read more In 19th century Amherst, Massachusetts, a young Emily Dickinson is tired of her family's attempts to find her a suitor. The latest is a friend of hers, George, who agrees to publish one of Emily's poems. Emily then finds out that her brother Austin proposed to her best friend, Sue. Austin tells his parents his plans to move himself and Sue to Detroit, however his dad wants him to remain in Amherst. Afterwards, Emily and Sue meet and Emily asks Sue to always love her more than Austin and they kiss. George then tells Emily that her poem will be published in the next edition of the magazine, but Emily is afraid of her father's reaction. At dinner, Emily's father announces he plans to run for Congress, Austin announces he and Sue will remain in Amherst, and Emily tells her family about her poem being published. At the latter, Emily's father yells at her about ruining the family name. In her mind, Emily meets with Death and discusses her poems. That night, Emily's father talks about how he doesn't want to lose her and asks her not to marry and move away. show less
Emily and Sue lie in bed and discuss the idea of running away together. Emily discovers a lecturer is due to give a presentation ...read more Emily and Sue lie in bed and discuss the idea of running away together. Emily discovers a lecturer is due to give a presentation on volcanoes but her father is against women getting a higher education. Later, Emily's mother is angry at her husband's decision to get a maid and reveals she feels useless. While shopping for dresses with her sister Vinnie, Emily accidentally spills that Sue got engaged. Afterwards, Emily and Sue decide to dress as men and sneak into the lecture themselves. At the college, George spots them, but agrees to keep their secret. However, partway through the lecture, Emily accidentally gives away that they are there. Her father is angry to discover Emily's actions and tells her to stop her antics. Emily's mother then accuses her of being selfish and not thinking of her father. Emily then asks the maid, Maggie, to teach her to make bread. That night, Emily tells Sue she feels trapped, like the people in Pompeii. Sue then tells her she knows what volcanoes feel like and they proceed to have sex. show less
Emily awakens after having a nightmare about losing Sue. Meanwhile, her parents go to Boston for the night and the kids decide ...read more Emily awakens after having a nightmare about losing Sue. Meanwhile, her parents go to Boston for the night and the kids decide to throw a party. Sue is hesitant about announcing her and Austin's engagement because of her lack of money, but Austin insists on paying all her debts. Vinnie's crush, Joseph, attends, as well as Jane, a former classmate of Emily's who's interested in Austin. George brings opium to the party and Emily shares it with the guests. George asks Emily to dance and talks about marrying Emily, but she tells him to marry a normal girl and they kiss before she runs away with stomach pains. Austin then announces his engagement to Sue before she runs after Emily, who reveals the pains were period pains. Jane reveals her feelings for Austin and questions his marriage to Sue because of Sue and Emily's relationship. Austin walks in on Emily and Sue kissing and Sue reveals she feels suffocated by both of them and intends to go to Boston. show less
With Sue gone to Boston, Emily and Austin are distraught. The town plans to build railroads through Amherst and Emily discovers ...read more With Sue gone to Boston, Emily and Austin are distraught. The town plans to build railroads through Amherst and Emily discovers that her favorite tree is going to be chopped down. After reading Walden, she and George seek out Henry David Thoreau for help. Emily is disappointed to find that he is disinterested in her cause, but her father nevertheless decides to protect her tree on her behalf. show less
George asks Edward's permission for Emily's hand in marriage and is disappointed when Edward seems to suggest that ...read more George asks Edward's permission for Emily's hand in marriage and is disappointed when Edward seems to suggest that George is too lenient with Emily. As Emily prepares to act out Othello with her Shakespeare club George tries to strongarm her into behaving more obediently, first by attempting to censor the play and later by refusing to let Henry, one of the Dickinson's hired hands who is black, play the title role. Though George later tries to explain his actions, Emily is angered and rejects his marriage proposal outright. show less
The entire family believes that Emily is on her deathbed, leading both her father and mother to issue gruesome confessions. ...read more The entire family believes that Emily is on her deathbed, leading both her father and mother to issue gruesome confessions. However, Emily is only feigning sickness in order to stay in her room to read and write poetry. Leaving her room in search of a book she meets her father's clerk, Ben Newton, who is also an avid fan of poetry. After finishing her poem and giving it to Ben, Emily pretends to make a miraculous recovery. She is surprised to encounter Sue, who returned after hearing Emily was on her deathbed. Emily urges Sue to go forward with her marriage to Austin. Lavinia hires an artist to paint a portrait of her. When she is displeased with the results she makes her own attempts to sketch herself. show less
Edward prepares for local elections and is surprised when his supposedly safe seat becomes embroiled in a virtual tie. Ben urges ...read more Edward prepares for local elections and is surprised when his supposedly safe seat becomes embroiled in a virtual tie. Ben urges Emily to enter a local poetry contest but Emily refuses, knowing that doing so will embarrass her father. As a compromise, Emily asks Austin to submit Nobody knows this little Rose under his name. He does so and wins the contest. Edward realizes that the poem is Emily's and the two have a violent confrontation. Edward finally wins his seat but his entire family is too depressed and angry to celebrate his win. show less
Edward is gone for Christmas and the Dickinsons host a dinner party. Emily's mother takes to her bed leaving the children to ...read more Edward is gone for Christmas and the Dickinsons host a dinner party. Emily's mother takes to her bed leaving the children to act as hosts. Emily invites Ben and Sue is surprised and jealous as Emily takes up domestic work in order to please him. On Christmas morning Emily is surprised to learn that her father is building her a conservatory so that she can enjoy flowers year round. show less
Emily makes plans to go see a solar eclipse with Ben, who is very sick. During the eclipse the two "anti-marry" each ...read more Emily makes plans to go see a solar eclipse with Ben, who is very sick. During the eclipse the two "anti-marry" each other, promising to remain unwed for as long as they live. When his coughing grows worse Emily nurses him at the Dickinson family home and is disturbed when he begins to hallucinate. Sue is fitted for her wedding dress and discovers she is pregnant, much to her chagrin. Lavinia gives Joseph a nude sketch of herself. show less
Austin and Sue's marriage day arrives. Emily is still in mourning over Ben's death but tries to make Sue's wedding ...read more Austin and Sue's marriage day arrives. Emily is still in mourning over Ben's death but tries to make Sue's wedding day special by writing her a love poem and gathering a bouquet for her. Her actions reignite Austin's jealousy, and he bans her from the wedding and tells the family that it was Emily who decided not to go. George leaves town to seek his fortune in California and offers to take Emily with him. Emily refuses, citing her desire to remain with Sue. Edward finally returns. show less