A crippled Huw, youngest son of patriarch Gruffydd Morgan, is told that he will one day walk, while his eldest brother battles for a union in the mines, to their father's chagrin.
The mine owner's son Iestyn Evans courts Angharad to the chagrin of Ifor; Huw learns to fight bullies at school, only to be more harmed by his pompous teacher.
Celebrations abound after Ifor and his choir return from singing to Queen Victoria; Hew has more school troubles while Angharad's marriage to Evans starts to crumble.
As Bronwen mourns her husband Ifor's death while working in the mines (showing Hew the ropes), Owen and Blodwen's romance blossoms; meanwhile, Hew tries connecting with Angharad, who refuses to visit her family.