Never the Twain

Series 1

1981 · 6 episodes · 3h 0m in all · 7.8/10

Episodes

1. 

   1. Families at War

   7 Sept 1981 · 30 min · 7.0/10

   Antique dealers Oliver Smallbridge and Simon Peel were once partners until Oliver had an affair with Simon's wife. Now bitter rivals - and next-door neighbours, they're constantly trying to sabotage one another. Oliver's daughter, riding instructress Lyn, and Simon's son, David, a trainee accountant, are in love and want to wed. The two fathers hold a temporary truce to oppose the plan - until Lyn falsely claims that she's pregnant.

2. 

   2. Of Meissen Men

   14 Sept 1981 · 30 min · 8.0/10

   Reading that a widow called Veronica Barton is selling her late husband's Meissen collection, both Simon and Oliver, pretending to be private collectors, visit, hoping for a knock-down bargain. Discovering that she's an attractive middle-aged woman, they compete for her affections as well as the porcelain but when she discovers their true intentions, she gets her revenge at a smart restaurant.

3. 

   3. A Night at the Opera

   21 Sept 1981 · 30 min · 8.0/10

   Veronica tells Simon and Oliver that she has a spare ticket for the opera in Edinburgh but neither are initially interested - until Oliver poaches Simon's daily help, Mrs Grieves, and Simon decides to be Veronica's escort out of spite.

4. 

   4. A Matched Pair

   28 Sept 1981 · 30 min · 8.0/10

   Not only is Oliver's golf club membership refused but his shop is burgled. However, the duelling pistols that he reports as stolen were only borrowed by his dim assistant Rocky so, to prevent complications, Rocky dumps them in Simon's shop. Initially amused by Oliver's misfortune, Simon is appalled when he gets charged with receiving stolen goods. Oliver comes forward to let him off the hook - provided he will endorse Oliver's golf club membership application.

5. 

   5. Nothing But the Truth

   5 Oct 1981 · 30 min · 8.0/10

   Lyn and David vow that they will never lie to each other. Their fathers are sceptical - and gleeful when Lyn breaks off the engagement after David has admitted to a drunken kiss with another girl at a party. Now neither of them will need to pretend to be friends for their children's sake. However the young couple are so miserable that eventually Simon and Oliver combine to reunite them.

6. 

   6. Father of the Groom

   19 Oct 1981 · 30 min · 8.0/10

   Simon throws a dinner party for the Smallbridges where inevitably Lyn and David try to keep peace. After the meal, the fathers play cards but Oliver is offended when Simon accuses him of cheating and storms out. Lyn and David get married and, overcome by emotion, Oliver and Simon make up - and decide to play cards again.