1. Fine Beginnings

Nicholas and his sister Kate arrive penniless and jobless in London after the death of their father. Nicholas has an important encounter with Newman Noggs.

2. Dotheboys Hall

Nicholas has been found employment by his Uncle Ralph at Dotheboys Hall, an academy for boys owned by the drunken and brutal Wackford Squeers.

3. The Escape

Nicholas is appalled to find that Squeers is being cruel to the crippled boy Smike and makes plans to escape. Nicholas and Smike set out to London.

4. The Dinner Party

Kate is invited to dinner by Uncle Ralph, where she suffers from unwanted attention. On his arrival in London, Nicholas is informed of an accusation against him.

5. The Profession

Nicholas refuses to restore Smike to Squeers' cruelties, so the duo leave London and find employment with Vincent Crummles and his company of strolling players.

7. Account Rendered

Nicholas and Smike decide to return to London after Nicholas receives a letter from Newman Noggs concerned about Uncle Ralph’s treatment of Kate.

8. Captured

Nicholas finds employment with the kindly Cheeryble brothers while Smike is in for a shock after Squeers arrives in London and begins plotting with Ralph.

9. Escape

Smike gets captured by Squeers but help is soon at hand from John and Tilda. Meanwhile, Nicholas is directed by the Cheerybles to meet Madeleine Bray.

10. Madeline Bray

Unknown to Madeline, Ralph and Gride have come upon some important information about her. Meanwhile, Smike falls ill after escaping from Squeers.

11. The Duel

It’s pistols at dawn as a duel to the death takes place, and Nicholas interrupts the marriage of his beloved with equally tragic consequences.

12. A Journey for Smike

Ralph and Squeers conspire one final time to steal Madeline’s inheritance papers as Smike takes a turn for the worse.

13. Smike's Father

Noggs and Cheeryble come to Nicholas’s and Madeline’s aid as Squeers and Ralph finally get their comeuppance and the secret of Smike's parentage is revealed.