The story starts off in 2010 London, with young Alexis starting her journey from London to Crete. She seeks to learn about her roots, which her mother Sofia has been reluctant to share.

Eleni and young Dimitris reach the island, the place in which they are condemned to live for the rest of their lives. Their exile to the island as well as being away from their families becomes unbearable. To make matters worse, the island suffers from lack of water, something that makes the everyday lives of the lepers even more difficult. Just an association with their illness isolates Giorgos from his fellow villagers, and forces Dimitri's family to abandon their house and move away. Even though Giorgos is one of the few allowed to visit the island to transport goods, he does not find the strength/courage to meet with Eleni for days after.

Giorgos tries to fall into the routine of primarily caring for his daughters, but meets difficulties with Anna's wayward/rebellious character. On Spinalonga, Dimitris makes new friends; The malice schoolteacher of the island, Ms. Kroustalaki, abuses the children, pushing Eleni to decide to teach Dimitri at her own house, with other students also joining later. This causes a clash with the school teacher of the island, who thinks she is after her job and vows to destroy her. Meanwhile, three dangerous long-term convicts are sent by the government to the island in order to patrol the lepers, and Giorgos tells Eleni to be careful so that the convicts will not harm her. At the same time, the water reservoirs on Spinalonga dry up, so Giorgos transports drinking water from Plaka for the lepers to meet basic medical needs. The citizens are also concerned of further new arrivals to the island.

The island receives newcomers from Athens. Their arrival however, is met with resistance from certain residents. Pestered and tortured, the newcomers find help in Eleni, Dr. Lapakis, and president Kontomari amongst others. The shortage of water and the fear of what is to come agitates and scares everyone making matters worse. Across in Plaka, Giorgos forbids Maria from going with him to visit her mother as it is forbidden. Despite this, she hatches a plan to hide on her fathers boat just to get a glimpse of her mother. Meanwhile, the baker Evgenia finds a skin lesson on her neck that will forever change her life. On the island, the newcomers begin to use their knowledge and skills to help better serve the community after recovering from their long journey. But this does not change the opinions of certain residents about them, who are ready to get violent on the island. Just as a big fight is about to erupt, it finally starts to rain much to the joy of everyone on the island.

Evgenia's health becomes worse day by day, and she is haunted by the fear that she may make her children sick as well. She finds refuge at the monastery, where the clergyman convinces her to leave for Spinalonga. On Spinalonga, optimism for a better life is fueled by Nikos Papadimitriou. Elections are held with the active Papadimitriou winning and becoming the new head of the island, but not without a fight from an opposing figure; Kroustalaki receives complaints from parents over her abuse to the children. Anna falls ill with mysterious skin lesions on her body, forcing Giorgos to notify Dr. Lapaki fearing the worst.