20 Episodes · Premiered October 16, 1972 · Ended December 19, 1972
1972 was Emmerdale Farm's 1st year. Creator Kevin Laffan based the idea of the show on a real Yorkshire village called Ammerdale. Production was overseen by executive producer Peter Holmans and producer David Goddard.20 episodes were broadcast during the year. Major storylines included the funeral of Jacob Sugden and the return of his son Jack who took over the titular Emmerdale Farm, Henry Wilks buying the adjoining property of Emmerdale Farm - Inglebrook House sparking a feud between him and the Sugdens, Peggy Skilbeck discovering she's pregnant with her husband Matt's twin children and Jack's affair with Marian Wilks.
On the day of Jacob's funeral, the Sugden family are shocked to discover that Emmerdale Farm has been left to the recently returned Jack, causing fury amongst Jacob's other children, Peggy and Joe
Matt confronts Peggy over his suspicions about her, and she reveals she is in fact pregnant. The revelation pushes the pair to decide to get their own place.
Annie pushes Jack to make decisions regarding the farm. Meanwhile, Joe takes Marian on a fishing trip, bringing the two closer together
Jack and Lynn reach a settlement on their divorce. Later, Jack becomes Marian's knight in shining armour when her car runs out of petrol.
Joe is upset upon discovering what happened between Jack and Marian and goes to have it out with them both.
The issues surrounding who has the right of way, between Jack and Henry are finally resolved.
When villainous Tom catches Joe drinking with his wife, he begins a fight with Joe.
When Joe's plan to split Jack and Marian fails, he angrily storms off to his van, later crashing into Henry.
Joe is in a coma following the crash, whilst Henry has a broken leg. Henry thinks by the way Joe was driving, that he was drunk.
Marian is relieved to discover Joe has awoken from his coma, while Jack and Ruth meet again after eight years.
Tom begins getting suspicious as to whether Jackie is Jack's son, while Henry discovers that Joe could be charged with dangerous driving.
Jack gives Tom the sack following a heated confrontation, whilst Ruth decides to move to Leeds, and informs Tom it's up to him if he comes or not.
Janie visits Joe in hospital and tries to get him to take her out, to no avail. PC Ball informs Joe that the van's insurance was out of date, and the new Land Rover is stolen.
Jack makes an enemy in Janie after embarrassing her in front of his family. Meanwhile, Henry is knocked unconscious after having a fall, and is later found by Marion and Norman.
Joe tells Marian that Jack is still married, whilst Henry tells Jack to stay away from Marian.
The police find the Sugdens Land Rover. Norman proposes to Marian but gets turned down. Meanwhile, Peggy disowns Jack, Marian ends her affair with him and Annie tells him he has two weeks to decide if he wants to stay or go.
Peggy and Matt discover they will have twins, whilst PC Ball prosecutes Jack and Joe. Janie flirts with Frank but he doesn't reciprocate.
Jack has decided to return to London. Janie asks Frank on a date but ends up going out with Joe. However, it doesn't last long when he begins going on about Marian.
Jack changes his mind and invites his friend Bart to Emmerdale Farm. Frank warms to Janie and asks her out, and Marian is unwelcoming to Joe.
Matt finds an unconscious Sam in the cowshed and rushes him to hospital. Meanwhile, Frank and Janie have a great first date, and even have their first kiss.
