The local doctor Aarno works with his nurse wife Asta. After the death of their child, the spouses have distanced themselves from each other. The man is completely immersed in the work, his invention of medicine, and the treatment of the outbreak of an epidemic for which the wife no longer has interest in. She is jealous of her husband's close work relationship with nurse Taina.

Olli Suominen goes through the usual troubles of a teenager. After being in the war he is trying to find his place in the society. And the relations with his family is in turmoil. He also finds the sweet life in restaurants more exhilarating than being in the school and reading books for the forthcoming student exams.

In mid-19th century Finland, Klaus von Rapp marries young Anette Erling. The marriage is full of happiness until Klaus’s deception is exposed and changes everything with catastrophic consequences.

Tornionjokilaakso at the end of the 19th century, Paloniemi's landlord Heikki tries to get out of his financial difficulties with the help of his son Juhan and Nuottaniemi's only daughter Hanna. The happiness of Hanna, who has fallen in love with Antti of Rehti Koskenalusta, is threatened by the evil and dangerous Korpikoski.

Martha's problem is balancing work and family. According to her husband Juho and father-in-law Kalle, the mother's place is at home with the child and not at work. Only her mother-in-law Ilona encourages Martta to advance in her career.

Taavetti, the young master of Rantasuo, refuses to give up, even though frost destroys his harvest, a crooked logger steals his forest money, and a dishonest bailiff takes away his freedom. The innocent Taavetti is sent to prison, and the indebted Rantasuo farm is put up for auction. The determined swamp clearer fights for his life, his loved ones, and his land.

Lazy but resourceful storyteller Lapatossu solves problems at the railway construction site with his seemingly simple friend Vinski.

The spoiled girl Elli Arto joins the military service for women longing for a life of excitement. Out there she grows-up to a responsible adult.

Lecturer Aarre is dating Emmi, a saleswoman at a fabric store. The small-town social circles do not approve of relationships that cross class boundaries, and neither do Emmi's mother and her brother Erkki, who works at the factory.

Senator Fredrik, who advocates a policy of appeasement, expels his nephew Robert, an activist and lover of Justiina, from his home. Decades later, the lovers meet again when Robert returns to claim his inheritance.