Santos Dumont - Episode Guide

From the São Paulo countryside to Belle Époque Paris, we are introduced to the many faces of Alberto Santos Dumont. The pursuit of the dream of flight takes him to the balloonist Lachambre's studio in Paris, where Santos Dumont begins to experiment with a new idea: the dirigible balloon. His pioneering spirit foreshadows new times in the skies of Paris and the world.

Henri Deutsch, one of the founders of the Aéro-Club de France, announces a race around the Eiffel Tower for a prize of 100, 000 francs. This huge amount causes indignation among the working class, and the Aéro-Club comes under heavy pressure from the public opinion. In a master stroke, Santos Dumont announces that he will donate the prize to the poor if he wins.

After leaving the Aéro-Club de France, Santos Dumont is invited to an air race at the St. Louis Universal Exposition. But sabotage to Dumont's airship makes him return to Paris to continue his experiments. Faced with her aunt's pressure to marry, Aída decides to take her fate into her own hands by swapping lace gloves for mechanic ones.

The death of his master, Henri Lachambre, severely shakes Santos Dumont. Blériot and Voisin work on the design of an airplane while Santos indulges in leisure. The Archdeacon Prize promises to crown the first to fly a distance of over 25 meters with a "heavier-than-air". Working in secrecy, Santos Dumont develops what will be his most famous creation: the 14-bis.

There seemed to be nothing left for Santos Dumont to conquer. However, the Grand Prix d'Aviation reveals a new star - the young pilot Henri Farman. Back in Brazil, Santos Dumont is praised for his achievements. With his Demoiselle airplane, he comes close to perfection. But all attention is not enough, any distraction my cause irreparable damage.

The atrocities of World War I instill feelings of guilt in Santos Dumont for his contribution to the development of aircraft. Tensions arising from the war increase; Nuno is drafted by the French army, while Santos Dumont has his house searched by the authorities. To escape the conflict, he takes refuge in Petrópolis, where he prepares the most secretive project of his career.