A Knight Templar returns home from the Crusades in the Promised Land and has lost his faith in God due to his experiences fighting the infidels. When he passes a small village, a young woman is to be burned as a witch there at the same time. The crusader does not think twice, frees the mysterious beauty at the risk of his life and is seriously injured on the run. In the woods, the herbalist takes care of his injuries and nurses the Templar back to health. For her help, however, the mysterious woman demands a very high price...

Some unusually intense meteorological event causes a family to suddenly swap roles. That means that the children are in charge and the adults must obey. Coincidentally, mother’s new admirer, Mr. Droehmbüdel, proposes marriage but when he enters their apartment, he is very surprised by the strange family relationships. With determination her son (Tom) tries to chase him away against constant pleas from his mother and grandmother. But Mr. Droehmbüdel does not give up and is constantly inventing new ways to gain access to his future home.

Ironically, at the beginning of the summer holidays, Alwins strict father has grounded him to get him to improve his spelling. Alwin feels like a prisoner and decides to run away heading to his grandparents in the Harz mountains nearly 200 kilometers away. On the road Alwin meets many people and with their help Alwin slowly progresses towards his destination.

Edith and Wolfgang have led a fairly harmonious family life for many years, together with their son Danilo. Edith has long since got over Wolfgang's infidelity twelve years ago, which resulted in a daughter. Every now and then he visits 12-year-old Sandra, simply fulfilling his fatherly duties. But suddenly the girl appears at the door.

Uwe Polzin, a highly talented biologist publicly stands the defence of his doctorate and this crucial day prompts him to look back on his life so far. These reminiscences are not altogether positive and he and his family still face almost unsolvable problems. For; while Ruth, Uwe's sister, consciously goes without family life and private happiness in order to devote herself fully to her vocation as a doctor; he tries to reconcile career and family. He has found in Alla, his wife - an interpreter - not only a truly loving partner but also someone who shares his basic view of life. Still, their marriage is undergoing a crisis. Uwe's job has become so demanding that he expects her to cope with a great deal of domestic problems. Alla senses that her husband is exploiting her love towards him and that he expects her only to make sacrifices for him. This is why she is contemplating divorce.

Berlin in the 60s. The construction of the Berlin Wall not only divides the city, but also separates the Rechlin family. While mother Ingelore lives with husband Hannes and the youngest son in the eastern part of the city, the young, married daughter Beate lives in West Berlin. Even when she gives birth to the first grandson, the newly baked grandma Ingelore cannot visit her. Travel permits are only issued one year later. But the formerly so tight family bond is burdened by the long separation. Son Bernd also avoids the rest of the family, as his new girlfriend has just been released from prison because of attempted "republic escape". And so Mother Ingelore almost has to watch her family shatter.

A group of young people draws straws to see who'll steal some cigarettes. With this theft, Sebastian starts a bizarre, symbolic odyssey through a sclerotic world, in search of himself and of truth and justice. When he tries withdrawing from one social paradigm, he finds himself caught in another.

The water sports fans of a cooperative on the coast finally want to acquire a seaworthy sailing ship. But at the board they encounter deaf ears. Only the chief accountant Irma shows interest in sailing and especially the leisure captain named Ali. Then a minister surprisingly his visit. Irma devises a plan to support the sailors. In order to vote the Minister benevolently, flights, a company sports community should be launched. The founding of a sailing section would be just right. But unfortunately, the Chairman Scheffel continues to be cross. He even wants to use the storage space of the sailors. Only when the minister finds pleasure in the spontaneously organised sailing trip for him, movement comes into the affair.

After two failed marriages, Walter is finally looking for a wife again. But his father Paul, who believes his own position in the house would be jeopardized if a daughter-in-law came into the house, cunningly gets rid of all the candidates. Walter has placed an advertisement for a wife, as both the male-headed household run by Walter's father Paul and the upbringing of his adolescent son Peter require a female hand to keep things in order. Grandfather Paul, on the other hand, feels that the cosy trinity and especially his own position in the house would be jeopardized if another daughter-in-law took over the reins. So Paul sets about inventively thwarting Walter's intentions. At first, it is completely inexplicable to Walter why all his encounters with marriageable ladies end in failure. But he has other things to worry about at the moment anyway. His son, Peter, is having an affair with his teacher's daughter, of all people.