Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, the protagonists of One Day, first cross paths on July 15, 1988, the night of their Edinburgh University graduation. Every year on the same date, the two are recaptured in each episode.
The show, which spans 20 years, follows the two as they grow up, make dubious decisions, stay close friends, and can’t stop pining for each other. Let’s review what happened to Emma and Dexter throughout their two decades in Episodes 1 through 14 of Season 1.
The narrative of Dexter and Emma begins the evening of their respective graduations from Edinburgh University. Emma catches Dexter’s eye at the party, and he approaches her. After they become friends, she extends an invitation to him to return to her apartment with Tilly, her closest friend.
Recap
At Tilly’s wedding, Dexter and Emma ultimately get back together after three three-year apart. Seven weeks separate Dexter and his now-fiance Sylvie from their wedding, which he is attending alongside.
Emma is having success with her writing profession, having signed a book deal. Emma hardly disguises her sentiments over Dexter’s impending marriage when they finally get to spend some alone time together inside a maze.
Although it appears that Sylvie assisted Dexter in giving up drugs and alcohol, he still occasionally sneaks a sip when she’s not looking.
Before exchanging kisses, Dex and Em share a heart-to-heart as they leave the maze. They instantly return to acting as though their affections are only platonic. Dexter is as far removed from the sparkle and glamour of the media as he can be in the 1998 episode.
He works at Callum’s Sandwich Shop, his former university roommate. While spending the day with Tilly, her husband, and their newborn, Emma continues to work on the book’s promotion.
Sylvie, who is upset about everything from their wailing infant to her spouse’s low income, is a difficult person for Dex to deal with at home. Dexter looks after the infant as Sylvie heads out for the evening on a hen night.
Almost as much as he likes the wine glasses he continues downing before stashing the bottles at the bottom of his wheelie bin, he loves taking care of his kid. Dexter takes the train to Paris to see Emma following a difficult divorce from Sylvie, who has since moved in with Callum.
After the phenomenal success of her first book, she moved there a few months ago to start on her second. Em appears to have spent one night together with Dex a few months ago, but she has no desire to go back to him. Emma is in Paris dating a new guy, much to Dexter’s dismay, and the three of them have dinner plans.
Dexter acts sick at the last minute to avoid having to go out with Emma and her new boyfriend. Emma also acts ill and stays inside her flat rather than leaving. After making love, the two are finally ready to give their relationship a real chance as the episode comes to a close.