| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 1 | "The County Set" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 7 January 1996[34] | |
| Lionel and Jean decide to have a quiet weekend away together at Rocky's country retreat, when Rocky and Madge go away to Mongolia. They are constantly disturbed with a steady stream of visitors, which include a very lively group of locals who insist on doing everything together. Jean and Lionel begin to feel overwhelmed and wonder if their weekend getaways will be as quiet as they've hoped. Just when they think it can get no worse, Penny and Stephen arrive without any warning - but are dealt with after a little subterfuge on the part of Mrs Bale. | ||||||
| 35 | 2 | "Lionel's Ex-Wife" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 14 January 1996[35] | |
| Lionel receives an unexpected letter from his ex-wife (Margaret) who wants to meet. Lionel asks Jean to come along while reassuring her she does not have to 'dress to impress' because his ex-wife was always very plain and boring. Margaret arrives dripping in diamonds and with a toyboy in tow. Meanwhile Jean is concerned about the threesome dating occurring between Alistair, Judith and Sandy. | ||||||
| 36 | 3 | "Lionel's New Hobby" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 21 January 1996[36] | |
| In search of something to fill his time, Lionel takes up model-making but is quickly confounded by the tiny pieces of the ship he has chosen to build. Alistair tries to help, asking Lionel to adapt an obscure book (opening line: "I am alone with my sheep") for film or television. Sandy goes out with Alistair, and to his annoyance spends the evening discussing Judith's good points. Home from Alistair's, Sandy and Judith discuss the situation, agree Judith's relationship with Alistair is on, or off, depending... and finish Lionel's (impossible) model ship. | ||||||
| 37 | 4 | "Avoiding The County Set" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 4 February 1996[37] | |
During another disturbed weekend in the country (despite arriving at 4 A.M. to avoid the 'gang'), Lionel and Jean are invited against their better judgement to attend a barbecue, where they find out one of them had their gardener, Lol Ferris, beaten up after a disagreement. Lionel coolly tells the 'gang' that they are not going to be part of their group, leaving them spluttering with rage. Rocky and Madge return from Mongolia and congratulate Lionel and Jean for putting the 'yahoos' in their place. Note: First appearance of Lol (Tim Wylton). | ||||||
| 38 | 5 | "Broadcast Plans" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 11 February 1996[38] | |
| Lionel's mini-series "Just Two People" is set to air in America. Alistair shows up with a plan to take them to New York via Concorde and a stay at a fancy hotel. They decline, but Judy and Sandy take the trip instead and anxiously await the show. As feared and expected, the meddling of the script writers has resulted in a disaster and viewing figures trail off sharply during transmission, resulting in its cancellation. Alistair blames himself, and on their return to England tries to avoid the family altogether, until after a chance encounter in the street they assure him it was not his fault. | ||||||
| 39 | 6 | "At Death's Door" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 18 February 1996[39] | |
| When Penny needs minor surgery, she claims to be at death's door. Stephen stays with Jean and family while Penny is in the hospital. Things are made more unsettled by Penny's premonition and an addled room-mate who claims Jean is Cilla Black. After Penny is discharged, Jean gives her a piece of her mind for getting everybody worked up over nothing. Lionel once again tells the joke about the parrot that nobody gets, but nothing is heard of it except the 'punch' line. | ||||||
| 40 | 7 | "Showered With Gifts" | Sydney Lotterby | Bob Larbey | 25 February 1996[40] | |
| After they have told off the "County Set", Jean and Lionel are showered with gifts from the locals who have heard an exaggerated story of what really happened, the most extravagant being that Lionel is a recipient of the Victoria Cross. Alistair suggests a way of using the house for Lionel to make money and Lionel discusses the issue with Rocky. Sandy is asked out by all the Ferris brothers and has a fun night with the whole crew at the local pub, "The Stag and Huntsmen" where the drinks run freely and Madge sings country and western songs all night. Lionel and Jean leave early - and, on their way out, have to deal with an even more exaggerated rumour about "violence" with the "County Set" | ||||||