The first episode of the two part documentary follows actor, Ray Winstone and comedian, Al Murray. Ray takes a visit to Colney Hatch Asylum in North London where his great-great grandmother's Hannah Stratton's first husband was committed in 1875. Al explores the journey his great-great-great grandfather, and the author, William Makepeace Thackery took to free his wife from the horrifying conflicts of the asylum.
Al Murray discovers how ideas about inherited insanity meant that family member Laura Stephens was institutionalised from a young age. Lesley Joseph takes part in a deeply personal journey to find out a painful family secret about an aunt whose existence was kept secret for ages. Sue Johnston goes back to the asylum where she had worked during the 1960s whilst Christopher Biggins finds out the truth behind his great grandfather’s time being kept in an asylum.