Tutti gli episodi

California, 1931. Dopo aver cacciato di casa il marito Bert, Mildred Pierce deve trovare un lavoro per mantenere le figlie Veda e Ray. Tra ricerca di un impiego, consigli dell'amica Lucy e una relazione inattesa con Wally Burgan, un incontro in una tavola calda con la cameriera Ida finisce per indirizzare il suo futuro.

Mildred comincia a vendere le sue torte e trova il locale giusto per aprire un ristorante di pollo e dolci. Dopo il divorzio da Bert avvia l'attività, ma il rapporto con Veda si deteriora; nel frattempo nasce una storia con Monty Beragon, interrotta da una tragedia al ritorno da una vacanza.

Tra il 1931 e il 1933 Mildred apre il nuovo ristorante, che dopo un avvio lento diventa un successo, e Ida entra a far parte dell'attività. Monty torna nella sua vita e conquista Veda, ma le spese, le ambizioni della figlia e lo stile di vita di Monty portano Mildred a uno scontro emotivo alla vigilia di Capodanno.

As the years have gone by, Mildred has become quite a successful businesswoman. It's now 1937 and she and Lucy, now a partner, is looking to open her third restaurant on Laguna Beach after having opened her second place in Beverly Hills. Veda has grown into an attractive 18 year-old but is no less selfish as a young adult. She's taken to partying and staying out until all hours but refuses to follow her mother's advice. She's now thinking that she wants to be an actress, which Mildred encourages. She is soon pregnant but the child's father refuses to marry her leaving Mildred in the dark until she learns that something is going on from the boy's mother. Veda however wants something other than marriage from the boy and his family. Mildred throws her out but after several months with no word from her, learns that Veda has become a successful singer.

Mildred is quite proud of Veda's accomplishments as a singer but finds that her daughter refuses to take her phone calls or respond to any of her letters. She and Monty Beragon spend some time together and she decides to buy his old family mansion. They also decide to marry and is thrilled when Monty arranges for Veda to come to the reception and sing for them. Success has only inflated Veda's ego however. She has many offers whether it be to endorse products or sing in New York City. Mildred however suffers a serious business setback when the restaurant in Laguna Beach starts to lose money. She's also had to increase her personal expenses to cover her expenses. She learns that Wally Burgan and Ida are quite prepared to push her aside. Mildred has been spending her money on Veda and her ex-husband Bert suggests that Veda will just have to contribute more. Her world comes crashing down when she returns home unexpectedly.