It’s Christmas Eve and Jacob Marley is ruthlessly pursuing his debtors, including Little Nell’s dying grandad at the Old Curiosity Shop. Meanwhile a young Miss Havisham has come into a fortune.
Christmas Day arrives and news of Jacob Marley's murder dampens the festivities, giving Inspector Bucket a new investigation to pursue. Meanwhile, at Satis House, Amelia Havisham's mysterious rescuer makes another appearance.
Bucket pays a visit to his old enemy Fagin, convinced the criminal had a part to play in the murder of Jacob Marley. The encounter sets him on the trail of Fagin's old partner in crime Bill Sikes, whose wooden cosh could provide the vital clue that will solve the case. Meanwhile, Frances comes up with an idea to ruin her sister's plans.
The Havishams throw a New Year's party. Amelia is delighted to be reunited with her brother Arthur, but is troubled when an unexpected guest joins the celebrations. Meanwhile, Frances Barbary rekindles an old friendship and allows herself to hope that it may develop into something more.
Compeyson goes to desperate lengths to make Miss Havisham notice him, and Martha Cratchit's wedding plans are thrown into turmoil by an unexpected knock at the door.
Bob Cratchit fights to clear his name and get home in time for his daughter's wedding, but the evidence is stacked against him. Compeyson's behaviour leaves Amelia confused but intrigued.
A potential rival at Satis House gives Compeyson cause for concern. When a drunken prank goes dangerously wrong, Arthur realises the lengths to which Compeyson will go to achieve his aims.
Compeyson realises Matthew is in love with Amelia and manipulatively tells him that he must continue his travels in America in order to win her love, while Bucket continues his investigation by turning his sights on Mr Barbary, who was seen with Marley on Christmas Eve. Elsewhere, Bill tries to take Nancy away from her work as a prostitute, but fails to meet Fagin's lofty price demands, and Mrs Gamp tells Silas a hair-raising story to persuade him not to live alone.
Edward Barbary is left facing financial ruin and the situation only gets worse Scrooge comes calling, demanding his loan be repaid. Amelia is devastated by the loss of Jip, but receives an unexpected visit from Compeyson, who gives her a present and makes a surprising declaration.
Compeyson is officially courting Miss Havisham and, in order to seem a more credible suitor, he demands money from Arthur, who is forced to sell personal family items to obtain the money. Elsewhere, Honoria is determined to solve her father's debt problems and avoid an arranged marriage with Sir Leicester, while the Bumbles entertain Mr Gradgrind, and the Cratchits worry about Tiny Tim.
Honoria faces up to the reality of her father's desperate situation and what it means for her relationship with Captain Hawdon. Bucket's patience is rewarded when new evidence leads to a surprise discovery.
Compeyson comes closer to getting his hands on Amelia's inheritance when she invites him to the shareholders' meeting, confident she will need his assistance in running the business. Inspector Bucket makes a shocking discovery at Croucher's Warehouse, giving him enough evidence to arrest Fagin for the murder of Jacob Marley. Peter gives his savings to his mother after seeing her weep over Tim's poor health, and Mrs Gamp may have outstayed her welcome with Silas.
Amelia shares the news of her engagement with Arthur and Jaggers, who both warn her not to rush into things with Compeyson - but their words only make her more determined. Honoria comes to terms with letting Hawdon go, while Bucket is running out of reasons for keeping Fagin in prison.
The pressure is on Bucket when it looks like Dodger might risk the noose rather than betray Fagin. Frances tries to manage the situation Honoria has thrown them into and Compeyson offers Arthur a deal he can't refuse.
Bucket's detecting skills are called into question when another body is discovered and a new inspector arrives. Hawdon goes for promotion but makes a discovery about Frances which leaves Honoria devastated.
Honoria goes into labour in the family home, leaving her feeling stranded and vulnerable with only her older sister Frances there to help - a woman with whom she had been arguing only minutes before. Not knowing the first thing about childbirth, Frances sends a note out with a messenger boy requesting a doctor, but as the minutes pass, emotions run high and the intensity of the situation brings the sisters closer together.
Prior to being taken off the case of Jacob Marley's murder, Inspector Bucket determines to have one last shot at solving the conundrum. Retracing Marley's last steps with Mr Venus, Bucket arrives at a new theory - the killer was neither a criminal nor a thug, but a frightened individual who had been the victim of Marley's punishing debt-collecting tactics. Meanwhile, unaware that Amelia saw him kissing Sally, Compeyson arrives at Satis House and is surprised by the frosty reception he receives from Miss Havisham.
Inspector Bucket has identified Jacob Marley's killer but faces a moral dilemma. Arthur Havisham is devastated - not only has he set his sister up with Compeyson, he can see no way of ever being reconciled with her. But then, out of the blue, his possible salvation arrives in the shape of Matthew Pocket, back from America and determined to prevent Amelia's wedding.
As the final preparations are made for the Havisham wedding, Arthur and Matthew put their plan in place to stop the ceremony going ahead. While Arthur distracts Compeyson in the pub, Matthew arrives at Satis House with members of the brewery board. How will Compeyson react when he arrives? Meanwhile, Edward arranges for Sir Leicester to visit and Honoria knows she faces a difficult decision - one that affects her entire family.
Arthur is determined to finally become the man his father intended him to be, so he goes to see Fagin and acquires the services of Bill Sikes - but is it too late to put a stop to the wedding? Meanwhile, Compeyson hopes his heartfelt confession to Amelia will be enough to convince her of his feelings.
