The action takes place in the family of an industrious and responsible worker, Sudakov. He is smart, practical, knows how to maintain useful connections, and, of course, is confident in the well-being of his family. However, it turns out that not everything is well in the "capercaillie’s nest"…

Parfenov's documentary is about a brilliant scientist and engineer, born in Russia, but only known on the other side of the ocean. The invention of modern television changed the history of mankind. The invention has an author, who is almost unknown in his homeland. Vladimir Zworykin, born in Murom, a Russian American, was the person who created distant wireless transmission of images.

The story is about two friends living in one of the provinces of central Russia. Pyotr Vasilyevich decides to marry off his young friend, Boris Andreyich. They visit a widow, two sisters of marriageable age, and the Barsukov family, which consists of two members: the father and his 19-year-old daughter, Verochka.

After being wounded in Afghanistan, Alexey returned home. While he was at war, his mother married an official of the highest state authority. Having become a casual witness to the preparation of a coup d'etat, Alexey decides to join someone else's game...