Mrs. Parkington

During Christmas 1938, Susie Parkington hosts her sprawling family as Jane arrives to reveal a secret plan to elope with Ned Talbot. The revelation unsettles the gathering and sets the stage for Susie's reflections on wealth, love, and family duty. The moment frames the present-day tensions that drive the timeline.

As a teenager in Leaping Rock, Nevada, Susie works at a boarding house when Augustus Parkington stays at the mine. The miners voice dangerous working conditions, but Augustus refuses to fix them, preferring to raise wages to keep the mine running. This encounter seeds the complicated dynamic between Susie and Augustus.

A catastrophic mining accident kills Susie's mother and several miners, altering her fate. Augustus then marries Susie and moves her to New York City, beginning a life among the city’s elite with Aspasia Conti guiding her social ascent. The tragedy binds their future in unexpected ways.

Back in New York, Susie is introduced to Baroness Aspasia Conti, who helps her select clothes and master the social graces required of high society. Aspasia becomes a trusted confidante and influence on Susie’s evolving identity. Their bond shapes Susie’s navigation of wealth and power.

In the present, Ned informs Susie that Amory Parkington is under fraud investigation and that he plans to take Jane away to avoid testifying. Susie disapproves of Ned's tactic and worries about the consequences for the family. The scene exposes the fragility of their fortune and reputations.

Amory confesses to Susie and Jane that he has committed fraud and begs for a $31 million loan to cover his actions. Susie contemplates the request but insists he must seek consent from the rest of the family, since credit would touch their inheritance. The moment underscores the ethical tug-of-war between familial loyalty and financial responsibility.

During their third anniversary, Augustus hosts a grand ball to celebrate their life, but most attendees balk at his blunt manner. Susie, overwhelmed by the social rejections, faints, and a miscarriage follows, marking a devastating turning point in their marriage. The couple's relationship fractures as public vs. private personas clash.

Susie separates from Augustus after the vendetta-driven ruin of competitors and relocates to Long Island, with Aspasia visiting frequently. Augustus fails to destroy the Livingstones as he intended, and Susie begins to chart a path apart from the Major’s schemes. The estrangement marks a shift toward self-reliance and independent influence.

Susie reveals that she has secretly been financially supporting the Livingstone business to counter Augustus's vendetta. When confronted with the possibility of losing the family fortune, Augustus eventually agrees to halt his attacks. Their tension softens as they confront shared stakes beyond mere status.

Susie's son Herbert dies in a polo accident, plunging her into a year-long reclusion. Augustus relocates to England and begins an affair with Lady Norah Ebbsworth, driving a deeper rift between them. The event drives Susie to re-evaluate marriage, loyalty, and what really matters.

Susie follows Augustus to England, and with the aid of the Prince of Wales, persuades him to end his affair. Their reunion is tempered by the years of separation and the evolving dynamic of power, love, and forgiveness. The couple moves toward a new understanding of their life together.

Aspasia reveals she will move back to Paris and confesses a lifelong love for Augustus. Susie admits she has always known and that, after recognizing Augustus' love for her, she too loved Aspasia. Their candid revelation deepens their bond and reshapes their family’s future.

In the present, Susie resolves to bail out Amory despite the family’s disgust, telling Jane to follow her heart and pursue Ned. The family departs in anger while Susie prepares for a life returning to Leaping Rock, Nevada. The closing image frames resilience and renewal across generations.