The TV drama tells the story of a Sicilian family that emigrated to the north, settling in the outskirts of Milan (filming took place in Milan, Cologno Monzese, and Rozzano). The patriarch of the family is Salvatore Nicotera (Turi Ferro), a skilled factory worker, married to Cettina (Nella Bartoli). The children experience the alienation of factory work, like Gianni (Bruno Cirino); face deep social contradictions, like the student Luciano (Gabriele Lavia); run away from home, like Anna (Micaela Esdra); or are drawn in by superficial allurements, like the shop assistant Patrizia (Francesca De Seta).