The Campbells
The Campbells was a Scottish-Canadian television drama series, which aired on Scottish Television and CTV from 1986 to 1990. A historical family drama, the series starred Malcolm Stoddard as James Campbell, a Scottish doctor living in 1830s Upper Canada with his three children, Neil, Emma and John.
Seasons
1. A Magic Medicine
Air Date: 1986-04-27
The first half of the pilot episode which takes place during the land clearings in Scotland in 1833. In it, Dr. James Campbell treats his patrons son after he falls off a horse and breaks a leg. Also, the family harbors Uncle Andrew who opposes and land clearings and is wanted by the authorities.
2. A Great Decision
Air Date: 1986-05-04
The second half of the pilot episode. The laird's son dies after James' treatment is sabotaged. The family decide to buy land in Canada.
3. First Day
Air Date: 1986-05-11
The first episode in Canada. The family awkwardly arrive to their new homestead to find the living conditions much less than they expected and a hostile neighbor, Captain Sims. They stop at the Logan's Inn, meet the keeper Gabriel and are given a Newfoundland puppy as a gift. The next day they see their cabin and meet Sims who instead of welcoming them expresses that he'd look forward to them leaving so he can purchase their land. Sims encourages Hardy to help scare the family away.
4. The Haunting
Air Date: 1986-05-25
Getting adjusted to their new home, a superstitious neighbor, Mary, comes to help Emma with the housework. Emma finds her company tedious and schemes to scare her off. James and Neil find out and decide to teach her a lesson.
5. 75 Miles from Nowhere
Air Date: 1986-09-21
Neil befriends a woodsman and brings him home with him only to find that he's a dangerous fugitive. While being treated for a wound by James, he finds out that they have an outlaw in their home.
6. The Visitors*
Air Date: 1986-05-18
John and Emma encounter an Iroquois woman who helps save Emma after she is bitten by a snake. While playing along a stream bed John unwittingly destroys a native religious tribute. Emma is bitten and John runs for help. When he and James return to the streambed they find an Iroquois man who takes them to their camp where they are taking care of Emma. After seeing the alter distroyed the man no longer wants to help Emma but his wife prevails to help her and Emma recovers.
7. A Real Lady*
Air Date: 1986-06-08
A noblewoman takes refuge with the Campbells after she changes her mind about accepting the proposal of a suitor. Lady Caroline had been writing to a prospective suitor while in England. After arriving in Canada to meet and marry him she changed her mind and takes refuge in the cabin with a supposedly sprained ankle. James eventually intercedes and arranges for Lady Caroline to go to her sisters home alone. Emma come to mistakenly think James is wants to marry their guest and makes Lady Caroline uncomfortable. When Caroline leaves Emma realizes she behaved badly.
8. Treasures of Jean Lafitte
Air Date: 1986-09-07
James is given a model ship as payment for his services. The patient was a crew member with French pirate Jean Lafitte. When he gets it home John notices that there is a map and instructions inside. The family decide to take a day to see if the map is real and search for the supposed treasure.
9. Gift Horse
Air Date: 1986-06-01
Will Forester gives James a found horse in payment for delivering his son. Emma becomes very attached to the horse only to have the original owner reappear and claim it stolen. Emma must deal with loss and appreciation for what she does have.
10. Vendetta*
Air Date: 1986-10-12
Captain Sims is challenged to a duel in response to events in his military career. James must mediate to prevent bloodshed. After recieving the challenge, Sims sends Harriet and Rebecca to stay with James where they will be safe. He sends Rebecca along with a box for safekeeping but makes her promise not to open it. Harriet is unaware what is going on and asks James to investigate. James finds out about the duel and he and Harriet reason with Rebecca to reveal what's in the box. James finds Sims' war journal which explains the events leading to the duel. He must then arrive in time to prevent the duel and save Sims.
11. To Love and Protect*
Air Date: 1986-08-17
A body is found on the Campbell property and James play detective to find out who is responsible. The two suspects are the brother and the fiance of the victim who are now both planning to marry each other. After the body is found, James begins asking around for information on the man's last whereabouts. He gets one story from the man's brother and a different one from the man's fiance, one of them is lying. On his way to the constable, James is attacked. The fiance confesses but when she explains how she murdered her beau, James knows she's lying and suspects the brother. He confronts the brother and what he finds out reveals that both are innocent.
12. Heaven Sent
Air Date: 1986-08-03
Emma helps James deliver a baby.
13. Rites of Passage
Air Date: 1986-06-15
Neil participates in a boxing match against the wishes of James and must face fellow contestant, the brawny Ox. Neil and Ox conclude that a friendship is more important than a boxing match.
14. Pig at large
Air Date: 1986-08-10
The Campbell pig roams until Sims claims it as his own on a legal technicality.
15. Autumn and Smoke, Part 1
Air Date: 1986-07-06
This is a one hour episode split into two half hour parts. In it James gets caught up in an Iroquois blood fued. Murderers give James stolen Iroquois goods and leads the tribe to believe he's a party to the recent crimes. Eventually John is kidnapped and the tribe demands James life in exchange for his sons.
16. Autumn and Smoke, Part 2
Air Date: 1986-07-13
James prepares himself to be handed over to the Iroquois in exchange for his son.
17. Burning Cures*
Air Date: 1986-06-22
The Campbells deal with approach the coming winter with too many pumpkins and not enough cash.
18. Harvest Gold
Air Date: 1986-07-20
The Campbells must clear a track of their land before a deadline or risk losing it. John and Emma get skunked.
19. Free and Clear
Air Date: 1986-08-24
The Campbells must clear a track of their land before a deadline or risk losing it. Sims taunts them. John and Emma get sprained by a skunk and must stay in the barn. Rebecca, who by now likes Neil, joins with Harriet to talk Sims into writing the authorities on the Campbell's behalf but at the hearing James refuses the favor.
20. Declarations of Independence
Air Date:
Emma finds a lone gypsy child and takes her home with her only to realize that she may be carrying cholera.
21. Child of Fortune
Air Date: 1986-09-14
Emma finds a lone gypsy child and takes her home with her only to realize that she may be carrying cholera...actually it's just a puppet. James and Neil find a dead man and suspect cholera. The man's child runs off and is found by Emma who takes her home. All the community comes to think Emma is infected when she comes down with chickpox and that the Campbells should be quarantined. When the hysteria is quelled the girl is sent home to family.
22. End of the River
Air Date: 1986-10-19
A woman flees backwoods justice in Ohio and settles temporarily at Logan's inn.
1. Eye for an Eye
Air Date: 1988-06-29
The townswomen give Pat, the blacksmith, a makeover before his bride arrives to meet him.
2. A Blessing in Disguise
Air Date: 1988-06-05
With Neil's help, a local boy reaches beyond his father's expectations.
3. Of Fathers and Sons
Air Date: 1988-06-12
A poorly kept indentured servant boy finds safe haven with the Campbells.
4. The Runaway
Air Date: 1988-06-19
A poorly kept indentured servant finds a safe haven with the Campbells. John finds a weakened boy on the property and find he's a runaway. When James discovers the conditions under which the boy has lived, he refuses to return the boy, ultimately paying for the boy and sending to live with a local woman who welcomes the help.
5. Judgement from the Heart
Air Date: 1988-06-26
John befriends a stray dog that local farmers think is killing livestock. John thinks the dog is innocent but no one believes him.
6. Unwelcomed Suitor
Air Date:
A young lieutenant visits the Sims and asks for Sims' blessing to marry Rebecca, which he gives, against her wishes. Neil gets jealous when he sees that Sims views him as unsuitable for his daughter and a soldier comes to visit and court Rebecca. Rebecca is receptive at first but discovers that the soldier is abusive and she wants nothing to do with him. Neil and the soldier face off in a fight and Sims sees the cads lack of character and apologizes to Neil.
7. Woman's Work
Air Date: 1988-07-10
Emma is frustrated with her role on the farm. Neil is frustrated with Emma. James is frustrated with Neil and John is just bored. As James and Neil are clearing land a stranger shows up to buy goods from them, he eventually tries to cheat them but James doesn't let him get away with it. Meanwhile, Emma is bored with her usual chores and bugs everyone about it.
8. Bingham's Gold
Air Date: 1988-07-17
Mary's lost love returns to marry her. She's still in love with him and is willing. What she doesn't know is that he's a military deserter who just robbed a coach. When the law catches up with him and he takes Mary and Emma hostage...well, that sort of ruins the mood and Mary must once again say goodbye.
9. Star Light, Star Bright
Air Date: 1988-07-24
Sims wants to start a militia in the area. Neil joins, dispite James objection, of course.
10. The Last Time Around*
Air Date: 1988-07-31
A man seeking revenge for events that happened in Scotland, persues James.
11. The Rifle Company
Air Date: 1988-08-07
Sims wants to start a militia in the area. Neil feels he must to join to show he is not a coward, against James' objections.
12. The Sins of the Father*
Air Date: 1989-05-14
A travelling fiddler stops by the Campbell farm. James notices the man has a serious health condition. Emma's curiousity leads her to finding out about his condition.
13. The Last Performance*
Air Date:
James enjoys an affair with a beautiful actress. Emma tries to imitate her. James saves traveling actress Rachel as her coach becomes stranded in town for a few days. While she's in town, James spends as much time with her as possible. Neil resents the time he spends away from the farm and Emma aspires to be like her.
14. The Sweetest Song
Air Date:
A traveling fiddler stops by the Campbell farm. James notices the man has a serious health condition. Emma's curiousity leads her to find out about the condition and cause trouble.
15. Blinded by Love
Air Date:
Rebecca's cousin comes to visit and comes to suspect that she's fallen in love with Neil. It's really Neil who likes her. The cousin Amanda, has been sent to her uncle, Thomas Sims', house to keep her away from the man she loves. Neil crosses paths with her and soon he has eyes only for her. Amanda pays little attention to Neil, she's more interested in sending notes to her beau and planning their elopement. Rebecca comes to think Amanda has her eyes on Neil and gets jealous. When Amanda is injured it's her beau who comes to her aid and their secret is out.
16. Desperate Remedy
Air Date:
Harriet comes back from a visit with her family to find that she's been exposed to smallpox. With no vaccine available in the area, James must set out to make his own. Meanwhile, Harriet and Sims bicker over who's to blame.
17. Dr. Colt of Calcutta
Air Date:
The Campbells cross paths with the inventor of the repeating revolver.
18. A Matter of Distinction
Air Date:
Sims announces the annual horserace and gets Neil interested. The race gives Sims a chance to challenge himself and not fell he's getting old. When Neil must bow out of the race, James takes his place.
19. Kith and Kin
Air Date:
The family help a man settle in the community. A black baby is mysteriously left at the Campbells doorstep. When the grandfather comes to claim the child, the family hear of his trials and try to help him find a place in an unreceptive community.
20. Living Legends
Air Date:
Charlatans claiming to be decendents of Daniel Boone steal from area neighbors. Emma thinks one of them is cute and doesn't want to believe it. When she and John confirm the truth, she gets them to come clean.
21. Room at the Inn
Air Date:
Mattie skips town and leaves Logan's Inn without a keeper. Sims searches for a replacement but can only find Mary to whom her reluctantly gives the responsibility. James takes John hunting with him for the first time and stumbles across a desperate man who's been stealing from the inn.
22. The Legacy
Air Date:
A female trapper, Molly, passes through the area. Emma tries to play matchmaker attempting to bring James and this woman of dubious legacy together, but he isn't interested. Molly's uncle is persuing her to steal a map in her possession and is willing to do anything to get it.
23. Miss Quincy
Air Date:
Lady Caroline from the episode A Real Lady return to become a school teacher. ""Miss Quincy"" arrives for the first day of school. James and Sims are unaware that she is really Lady Caroline until they see her. Sims doubts she's up to the job of rural teacher but James gives her a chance. Indeed, she's in way over her head.
24. Cabin Fever
Air Date:
Rebecca and Emma attempt an outing only to encounter a disturbed hermit. Emma is spending to much time stuck inside the cabin with her brothers and father and tempers are rising. James feels sorry for her and lets her visit with Rebecca. Rebecca is feeling the same way at her house. The two girls meet outside and decide to spend the afternoon at the inn. On the way, their horse startles and leaves them stranded in the snow when they come upon a hermit who pursues them.
25. The Siege
Air Date:
An angry band of Iroquois surround the farm when James takes in an injured member of their group. Emma finds an injured Iroquois in the barn. They bring him inside to tend to his wounds which have been inflicted by fellow tribe members. When they find he's in the cabin the harrass the family, demanding that the turn over the man. James refuses. They take Sims hostage. James still refuses and releases Sims. As the wounded man watches James' bravery, he decides to turn himself in and face his fate.
26. Rough Justice
Air Date:
A fugitive saves Neil's life and Neil must do the same for him. Neil falls through the ice while hunting and is fished out by an injured stranger who turns out to be a killer. Neil talks the man into coming home with him to get help and return the favor of saving his life. Meanwhile, two bountyhunters looking for the killer have taken refuge with the Campbells and refuse to leave. When the killer makes his way to the cabin, the bountyhunters take him. Having gained no sympathy from the Campbells during their stay, the bountyhunters are overtaken and the killer is held until and constable can retrieve him. The bountyhunters lose their reward.
27. Mr. Stevenson
Air Date:
Sims hosts an impostor he thinks is an influential politician.
28. Homeward Bound
Air Date:
James must return to Scotland to help his brother-in-law.
29. The Sentence of the Court
Air Date:
James must help his brother-in-law when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit. James finds his brother-in-law, Andrew in jail after a constable drops dead while they were arguing at an inn. James' mother in law implores him to help the case but authorities are unreceptive and urge Andrew to plead guilty and take a lighter sentence. Andrew refuses and James sets out to the innkeeper and local doctor to uncover the actual facts to prove Andrew's innocence.
30. Lady Helen's Love
Air Date:
Preparing to return home, James witnesses a confrontation that results Lady Helen falling unconscious. He's ordered to stay and see to her recovery. The rich and influential woman invites James to her home while he waits for the next voyage home. While at her manor, she flirts with him and makes another suitor jealous.
1. Partners
Air Date:
Mrs. Logan shows up to run the inn. A widowed woman and her small son show up to claim ownership of the inn. Sims and James also have claim to part of the property. James decides that they should split ownership three ways.
2. Stand and Deliver
Air Date:
Harriet is kidnapped and Neil gets the first taste of being a constable. Harriet is taken hostage while on a coach back from a trip. Neil and the local constable are on the outlaws trail. When they find their hideout, the outlaws shoot the constable and using a bluff Neil must confront the bandits and free Harriet.
3. Gateway to the World
Air Date:
Neil and Sims decide to start a transport company with undesired results. In partnership with Sims, Neil builds a raft to transport goods in response to price hikes. While on the trip they almost lose their cargo and arrive late and find their niche is already filled.
4. And in the Spring
Air Date:
Neil falls in love with Christine.
5. Dreams Stay with You
Air Date:
Neil finds out that Christine was promised to another man and breaks off their engagement before letting her explain. After thinking it over, he goes back to her and they marry.
6. Peter was a Saint
Air Date:
A boy comes to stay with the Campbells saying he's James' nephew but really he's a thief looking to mend his ways. James thinks his nephew has come to live with him and pick up a teenage boy. At home, he adapts to farm life. After he arrives, area neighbors start being robbed. Peter is being blackmailed by a Scriver, his friend in the city, into stealing but Peter wants an honorable life and he confesses all are returns the goods.
7. Face of a Stranger
Air Date:
A mysterious stranger is thought to be a witch when horses in the area start having fits. James examines dead and sick horses in the area but doesn't know what's causing the problem. John notices a mysterious woman in the area but no one is able to find her. Sims' nephew Kevin is visiting him and offers to entertain Emma. While on a ride Emma falls and Kevin abandons her. Emma is found in the care of the mysterious woman who is a knowledgable healer. She helps the community heal the horses.
8. When the Bough Breaks
Air Date:
A baby is left with the Sims. Harriet and Rebecca want to keep him but Sims wants to give him to an orphanage...or does he? An area widower leaves his baby with the Sims household. Sims and James search the community for the propable parents but when no one comes foward, Sims decides to send the baby to an orpanage. Harriet, who had wanted a child demands that Sims let them keep the child but he refuses until the authorities show up to take the child. Having heard of Sims' plans James returns to the recent widower, who he suspects is the father and informs him of Sims' intentions. The real father returns to the Sims' to reclaim his son and Mary offers to help him with the baby.
9. The Eyes of Angels
Air Date:
Looking for adventure, John runs away with a couple of escapees from a Southern Plantation.
10. The Reluctant Candidate
Air Date:
James and Sims run for office.
11. Something's Rotten
Air Date:
A pair of traveling actors offer to set up a production of Hamlet with area residents to raise money to help out a neighbor. They are really out to get the tax money for themselves. It takes Peter, who still hasn't earned peoples trust, to figure this out.
12. Fortunes of War
Air Date:
A new resident is accused of cowardace by Sims.
13. Miles to Go*
Air Date:
James fulfills a dying womans wish to find her son's father. Maria Brant is dying of tuberculosis and must find her teenage son's father that she hasn't seen in 15 years, so he'll have someone to take care of him when she's gone. Too weak to complete the search, James seeks and finds the man who is at first reluctant. When the man hears that Maria has died, he comes for his son.
14. Welcome Strangers
Air Date:
John finds a buffalo and Emma has her first published article.
15. The Dragonslayers
Air Date:
John and Thomas help an abused servant escape her master.
16. Back to School
Air Date:
James tries to reopen school but has trouble finding a teacher. Eventually he settles for Rebecca. Sims takes a while to get used to the idea.
17. A Proposal of Marriage*
Air Date:
An old friend of James' arrives from Scotland to become a reverend. Emma misinterprets his intentions as a proposal of marriage. Emma hears James and the reverend talking and believes that he wants to marry her. She tells Rebecca and Rebecca tells her parents. As the annual dance, Sims spreads the word of the upcoming betrothal. When James finds out, he realizes Emma is in for some embarrassment, so he and the reverend seek a way to fix the situation.
18. The Raid
Air Date:
Irish rebels take Sims hostage.
19. Bird of Paradise*
Air Date:
James falls in love with an artist who's producing a collection of bird paintings. She betrays him.
20. Mirrors of the Soul
Air Date:
After nearly drowning, James is rescued by a small band of Ojibwa and comes between two men and the woman they love. James is taken in by a group of Ojibwa after a fall. A trader living with them tells James that a boy is endangered. James assists the boy to recovery. The trader introduces James the boy's sister, Meenya, a young woman in the tribe with whom the trader is in love. Her family won't let her marry him. Instead, they offer her in marriage to James who refuses. However, in the translation the trader tells the family James agrees and he tells James that they accept his decision but want to give him a feast in thanks. At the feast, James and the girl are supposed to be ceremoniously married but James figures this out and refuses. The next morning he leaves clandestinely only to be stopped by the tribe who accuse him of killing a rival tribesman who also wanted Meenya. Both James and the trader are told that one must kill the other, James refuses but the trader agrees,
21. Live By the Sword*
Air Date:
Sims sets up a fencing competition but it's James who shines. Sims invites an elderly fencing champion for an exposition and offers to teach John to fence, but James refuses to let him. James changes his mind after learning the dilemma of a local bully...but he offers to teach John, since he is a proficient fencer himself. At the exposition, Sims' elderly competitor tires and James takes on Sims and wins to the surprise of all.
22. A Time for Goodbyes
Air Date:
James wants to accept a job offer at a Toronto hosptial. Sims' sister Margaret comes to visit.
23. The Firebrand
Air Date:
James is caught in the middle when Reformer McKenzie confronts Tory Sims.
24. Comfort and Joy*
Air Date:
The family prepares for Christmas setting up a tree and to Emma and John's dismay James plans to make haggis. A fire damages the Sims' home and when they can't find anywhere else to stay they join the Campbells.
25. Old Ways and New
Air Date:
Emma accompanies James when he returns to Scotland to present lectures at Edinburgh University. James meets with antagonism from some of the old-timers at the school while Emma tries to get some of her stories published.
26. The Truth Will Out
Air Date:
Emma's affection for her friend Fraser grows and she considers staying in Scotland but her newly published stories stir too much controversy.
1. Becky
Air Date:
Emma encounters a demented soldier.
2. See No Evil
Air Date:
The Campbells set out for a brief holiday when Emma become witness to a robbery and remembers the killer.
3. The Shiners*
Air Date:
A trio terrorizes the community. The drifters trespass on Campbells land and take lumber and refuse to leave. Sims hesitates to take action. James stands up to them as tensions escalate.
4. Many Happy Returns
Air Date:
Neil returns from Baltimore in time for James' birthday. A fugitive follows him home.
5. The Sky's the Limit
Air Date:
Sims purchases a hot air ballon only to find it's stolen.
6. A Medal for Valour
Air Date:
Emma and Rebecca come to the rescue of an imperiled veteran.
7. The Elusive Mr. Smith
Air Date:
Thomas is charmed by a criminal.
8. The Hunting Party
Air Date:
Neil joins an Englishman on a hunt.
9. Souls of Like Mind
Air Date:
A father and son disappear and turn up murdered. Neil investigates and between he and John, they bring the culprit to justice. James decides to stay in bed to get some time to himself.
10. A Man of Means
Air Date:
John falls in love. Sims gives him advice on how to win the girl over. He ends up showing his worthiness to the whole community.
11. The Miller's Son
Air Date:
Emma reaches out to a boy with Down's Syndrome.
12. Down to the Sea
Air Date:
The Campbells help an abused and mentally disturbed woman.
13. Duty Bound
Air Date:
A fugitive man and wife take Pat hostage. Neil pursues them.
14. Anniversary Waltz
Air Date:
In preparation for their anniversary Sims gives Harriet a piano. However, he becomes distracted when James offers to help Rebecca by digging the school well and everyone comes to believe that the two are having a secret courtship.
15. Disguises
Air Date:
Emma dresses like a man so she can freely roam the countryside but she gets into trouble anyway.
16. The Fine Art of Horsetrading
Air Date:
James gives Neil very bad guidance when Neil sets out to buy horses.
17. Boy's Brigade
Air Date:
Neil and John are robbed by orphans on the road.
18. Ancient Wounds*
Air Date:
A resentful woman from Sims' past claims to be his jilted fiance. Harriet throws Sims out of the house at precisely the time Rebecca is due for evaluation as a teacher. With Sims out of the house, James agrees to pretend to be Sims for the night and has to endure anti-Scot bigotry. When Harriet is later injured and the stranger shows medical proficiency, James discovers that the woman is lying about her relationship with Sims.
19. From Chimborazo to Canton*
Air Date:
An eccentric intellectual visits with an increasingly depressed James.
20. Flying the Coop
Air Date:
The women of the community get irrational as Thanksgiving Day approaches...or maybe it has to do with the visit from Sims' sister Margaret.
21. Bringing Up Thomas
Air Date:
Emma and John temporarily leave James to take care of Thomas at the inn when his mother leaves on a trip.
22. Tales of the Canadas
Air Date:
Emma recalls the family's past adventures. The farewell episode.
Select an episode to start watching
Rating
5.0/10
Release Date
1986-04-04
Episodes
100 (4 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Production Companies
Fremantle International
Settler Film Productions Inc.
Téléfilm Canada
CTV
Scottish Television Enterprises