An example of an evening shift at a closed psychiatric ward that starts like many others. The nurse, Emma, meets to messages of sick leaves and acute patients - and the staff have to be creative to get through the shift in the best possible way. In just 20 minutes the confidence in the system will be put to a test.
The poor and pregnant maid Karen slaves her days away, taking care of the imprisoned noblewoman Rigmor. Their fragile friendship suddenly presents an opportunity for a better life, when Rigmor mentions a valuable treasure buried in the forest. In hope of freedom, the two women spite their differences and attempt an escape. But can they create an alliance across class, and flee from fate?
After the death of their father, Sigurd wants to bury the hatchet and forgive his half siblings, Astrid and Jens, for how they treated him as kids. But this does not go as planned, as Astrid and Jens do not believe they've done anything that warrants forgiveness. Sigurd feels snubbed and realizes that what he actually wants is an apology but this demand only escalates an already tense situation and before long, they start to fall into old habits, revisiting childhood traumas.
Emily og Ida, to søstre der altid har været meget forskellige, har netop mistet deres far. De mødes i barndomshjemmet for at tage sig af det praktiske efter tabet i familien. Idas børn er tvunget til at tage del i de voksnes komplekse verden, hvor uløste spændinger fra fortiden stadig hærger.
Hvilke spor efterlader de mennesker, vi mister? Hvordan vi bærer dem og deres fortællinger med videre? Den Geniale Epoke viser en familie i sorg over en afdød far. Gennem to tidsrum føres vi ind i fraværets tilstedeværelse i et stille portræt om kærlighed og erindring.