Aninepartseriesdepictingthevaryingfortunesoffourfriends-Nicky,Geordie,MaryandTosker-fromtheoptimistictimesof1964totheuncertaintiesof1995.Takingninepivotalyears(1964,1966,1967,1970,1974,1979,1984,1987,1995)thepersonallivesofthecharactersbecomeintertwinedwiththepoliticalstrugglesoftheirhometownofNewcastle,andthecapital,London.Wealsoseethemachinationsbehindthescenesthataffecttheirlives,oftenfortheworse:slumhousingprojects,policecorruption,theriseofThatcherism,politicalsleaze,andspecificeventslikethe1984Miners'Strike.