In the village Karrild, the Countess Sonia Hardenborg and a young unmarried woman, Marta, give birth to a daughter on the same day. Marta dies after birth, so Marta's daughter, Betina, come under the care of the countess. 17 years later, Betina and Countess Sonia's daughter, Maria, meet, as Betina is living in a home for orphaned girls, which is adjacent to the Hardenborg estate. The two girls become friends, and Maria invites Betina to visit her at Hardenborg, to greet her parents Sonia and Otto Hardenborg and her brother Count Flemming. Meanwhile, Betina's father, Frank Jensen, starts working in the estate's woods, and when the two girls come to visit him, he is shocked by the resemblance between the young countess and Betina's mother Marta.

In the small idyllic town Randrup, lives on nature-loving and friendly thatcher Rasmus Thomsen (Oswald Helmuth). In addition to refurbish people's roofs, he runs a small "geschæft" that "The wise man". Son Ulf (Frits Helmuth), which reads the doctor's home on leave before the final exam in Copenhagen. Rasmus' big dream has always been that Ulf had to be "real doctor" and achieve what he always wanted so dearly. By thrift and income have gained through the many patients who seek Him from far and near, he has been able to afford his son's studies. His reputation as a wise man has knowledge of.

Lieutenants Adam and Ditlev dream of being accepted into the Guard Hussar Regiment, and Captain von Rabenberg puts the two rivals to the test.

Helga is on a farm, where she is seduced by her husband, Per Mortensen. As it turns out she is with child, she gets a tough time among local residents. They consider it the greatest shame that can befall a young, unmarried girl. Per refuses bargain to be the father of the child. Her parents can not afford to keep the baby, so she tries to go to court - without result. Fortunately, she gets a new duty station at Torpegaarden where she thrives. In particular, she has a good eye to his son on the farm, Gudmund. He also liked the young girl

The new students Eigil and Arne celebrate the end of school. "You are now grown men and women with a carnal desire that every human being contains. This desire can be like a fire in your body, but don't let yourself burn to death," their old teacher admonishes. Nevertheless, the encounter with Copenhagen and its many temptations turns out to be fateful for the charming Eigil and the otherwise faithful Arne.

Bertram is very happy with his life, but is encouraged to seek new challenges. Bertram is tasked with getting Merland to sign a contract with the municipality, but it is not easy, as Merland has changed his mind. Meanwhile, Jannie is considering moving out of her parents' house and in with Pelle. Henrik and Louise's relationship is on the rocks. Louise thinks Henrik is having an affair with Lisa. Henrik and Lisa's attraction to each other is obvious, but Bertram doesn't notice anything. Lisa and Bertram's lives take a sudden turn when Henrik dies in an accident. Erling tries to make Bertram the municipal director after Henrik's death, but of course, this doesn't come without a cost.

A train pulls into Copenhagen Central Station, and 16-year-old Dorte gets off. She needs to find some people on a road somewhere near Svanemøllen. Here, in a beautiful villa, lives Asger Haensen, a director who runs a large company in Copenhagen. He lives with his two children, Margot and Steen. Asger Haensen lives a superficial and overly expensive life—among other things, he has an expensive girlfriend. In the evening, the doorbell rings at the director's house. Outside stands Dorte with a letter that must be delivered to him personally. The letter reveals that Dorte is the result of a small youthful mistake on the part of the director. So Dorte stays in the house. Dorte does not quite fit into the elegant home. But she is feisty—and brings life to the house!

Landowner Munk has problems – he cherishes his wild moorland and does not want to parcel it out. His friend Martin Hald tries to mediate, but in vain. At the same time, Munk is worried about his nephew Jørgen, who grew up with him. He is in prison – convicted on false grounds. In prison, he has a friend named "Fusser," and when they are released, Fusser decides to investigate Jørgen's case.

Detective Peter Smeth and his young and charming wife, Louise, visit Magasin Heiberg, where, at his wife's express request, he is to buy himself a new hat. He is not amused by the idea, but there is no getting out of it. Suddenly, however, an event occurs that causes the couple to change their minds. The daughter of the store's owner, Inge Heiberg, is found unconscious in the store's courtyard, and Peter and Louise rush to her aid. The fainting spell turns out to be shrouded in mystery.

Ella and Olaf are in love but childless. Their neighbors Viggo and Polly have three children, but their marriage is in ruins. When Ella and Viggo happen to be alone on a motorboat, she gives in to his advances and becomes pregnant. Ella conceals the circumstances, but when her daughter is seriously injured, only Viggo can be used as a blood donor.

Thomas is newly divorced and is borrowing Bibi & Asger's apartment. He goes to the doctor because he is feeling unwell and is given some pills. At home, he gets drunk and is visited by his upstairs neighbor. At the same time, Thomas is being stalked by an unknown man on the phone. When Thomas meets Evy, he thinks they are going to have a nice evening, but she has other guests as well. After a night out on the town where Thomas gets drunk, he seeks out his divorced wife and begs her to come back.

After World War II, Europe lies in ruins and help is desperately needed everywhere. One person trying to make a difference is Dr. Jørgen Vedel, who travels with the Red Cross to Vienna to vaccinate children. There he meets Leni, a girl who has been to Auschwitz, where she lost her mother. Jørgen arranges for Leni to come to Denmark, where she can start a whole new life.