British Comedy: Butterflies

Years: 1978-1983
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Carla Lane
Stars: Wendy Craig, Geoffrey Palmer
Episodes: 28
Episode Average: 7.250*

BEST EPISODES:
Cleaning Windows (1983), Ruby's Crisis (1980)

*including special

SERIES ONE

(1978)
6 episodes
Series Score: 43
Episode Average: 7.17
Perfect 10's: 0

S1E1

WHEN RIA MET LEONARD

Originally broadcast: 10 November 1978
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

A gap between father and son is not helped by a refusal to speak to one another, a charming stranger ends up with a little something extra in his trifle, and a near miss brings some excitement to Ria's life.

"Because 19 years ago, I was a young and potent horse. I trotted triumphantly from one day to the next. Now I've jumped my 48th fence. I'm galloping towards thrombosis, heart disease, hardening of the arteries. And there you are, cheering me on with your suet puddings and hurl-it-in-a-pan-and-prey dinners."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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S1E2

BREAKING THE SILENCE

Originally broadcast: 17 November 1978
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben and Russell find common ground when threatened with apple sponge, Ria's left disappointed when her stalker drives off, and Leonard has a date with a much younger office girl.

"My husband always says a woman's handbag is like her mind. Makes loud clanking noises and is full of rubbish."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S1E3

THINKING ABOUT A JOB

Originally broadcast: 24 November 1978
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Leonard gets stopped for speeding after towing Ria home, Ben's not happy about his wife wanting to go out to work, and Adam and Russell prove somewhat of a disappointment to their father.

"Now listen to me, Segovia. I don't stand outside Woolworths pouncing on people with my drill, I am a professional man!"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S1E4

HOW ABOUT LUNCH?

Originally broadcast: 1 December 1978
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Adam and Russell are puzzled by a note meant for their mother, Ria bemoans the lack of spontaneity in her marriage, and Leonard's new chauffeur isn't happy about the duties he's being asked to carry out.

"I am not going to flip again. I have never flipped. I do not know how to flip. I am unflippable. The only time I am remotely in danger of flipping is when somebody mutters, 'She's going to flip again!'"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S1E5

THE LOVERS

Originally broadcast: 8 December 1978
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Ria isn't happy about being seen as just a housewife, Russell takes action to prevent a statue being sold to an American, and Ben worries about what the neighbours will think.

"There's something wrong with the toaster. I put bread in and dinner mats come out."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S1E6

HE'LL HAVE TO GO

Originally broadcast: 15 December 1978
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Russell prepares his mother for Adam's new look, Ben stays out until midnight on the advice of one of his patients, and Ria makes some important decisions about her life.

"I'd have to be bloody clever to take somebody's teeth out with my feet, wouldn't I?"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

SERIES TWO

(1979)
7 episodes
Series Score: 47*
Episode Average: 6.71
Perfect 10's: 0
*not including special

S2E1

LEAVING

Originally broadcast: 26 October 1979
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Ria voices concerns about how Adam's dealing with problems in his love-life, Russell finds a note where his brother should be, and Leonard lets off steam at a tree.

"Listen to me. If you don't listen to me, I'll go into that kitchen and I'll get that some-sort-of-pie and I'll run amok with it, in and around this house."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S2E2

FOX HUNTING

Originally broadcast: 5 November 1979
Directed by: John B. Hobbs, Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben doesn't see the point of getting upset about fox-hunting, Russell and Adam take over lunch-making duties, and Ria tries to gain public support for her cause.

"People don't confide in people with their back to them. From here, you're just a frilly nightie with a nagging voice."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S2E3

WORRYING

Originally broadcast: 12 November 1979
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben worries about his health when he feels a twinge, Ria tries to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and Leonard puts on a public performance on the subject of courgettes.

"Oh, I'm laughing all the time. My face just refuses to co-operate."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S2E4

A DOG'S LIFE

Originally broadcast: 19 November 1979
Directed by: John B. Hobbs, Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Adam and Russell annoy the couple from across the road, Ria has words with a careless dog after nearly hitting it with the car, and the doctor diagnoses nervous exhaustion.

"And if you're going to wear those obscene T-shirts, will you kindly position yourself so that I am not accused of being a sex object?"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S2E5

KEEPING FIT

Originally broadcast: 26 November 1979
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Ria's concerned about Leonard being unwell, Ben's sick of being confronted by rampant desires, and there are complaints from across the road about traffic.

"Yes. We've got them both at it now. Russell is entwined with someone on the stairs. Adam is slowly hauling his catch into his charisma. God, all that make-up. Must be like having an encounter with a toffee apple."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S2E6

AN ATTRACTIVE VISITOR

Originally broadcast: 3 December 1979
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

A holiday acquaintance comes to stay with the Parkinsons, a patient warns Ben about the reading habits of women, and Leonard asks Ria to go on a business trip with him.

"Well, you read war books. People shooting each other, people bombing each other, people torturing each other. I like to look at... people doing naughty things to each other."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S2E7

LUNCH WITH LEONARD

Originally broadcast: 10 December 1979
Directed by: Gareth Gwenlan
Written by: Carla Lane

Leonard drops a bombshell during a day of reminiscing, Ben books a table at a restaurant, and Ria goes on strike after watching women at the supermarket.

"Mmm. Smells delicious. Smells like 'I hate cooking' potatoes, 'I feel trapped' vegetables, and 'there must be more to life than this' omelette."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

SPECIAL

(1979)

SPECIAL

CHRISTMAS WITH THE PARKINSONS

Originally broadcast: 22 December 1979
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben's unimpressed with a musical card that comes through the post, Ria's not looking forward to cooking Christmas dinner, and Leonard offers an escape when he asks to meet in the park.

"It's Christmas, you see. It's Christmas. It frightens me. I spend all year in that kitchen, doing it wrong. Nothing comes out of that oven that you couldn't successfully resurface a road with."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

SERIES THREE

(1980)
7 episodes
Series Score: 52
Episode Average: 7.43
Perfect 10's: 0

S3E1

AN EMPTY CAGE

Originally broadcast: 9 September 1980
Directed by: Sydney Lotterby
Written by: Carla Lane

Adam's new job is met with disapproval, Ria worries about being left old and alone after a chat with a housewife in the cafe, and Leonard's wife walks out on him again.

"I thought sons left home, or got married. Am I destined to look up from my paper one day and see two 50-year-old men skateboarding up and down the path?"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S3E2

RUBY'S CRISIS

Originally broadcast: 16 September 1980
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Ruby tells Ria that she can't stop stealing things, Ben encounters a runaway while out collecting butterflies, and Leonard chooses the wrong moment to return a pair of knickers.

"It's gathering speed. By the time it reaches you, there'll be no stopping it."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S3E3

PREGNANCY

Originally broadcast: 23 September 1980
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Leonard gets his driving license back, Ria tries her best to follow instruction on a television cookery programme, and Russell announces that he plans to marry his girlfriend.

"Nicely, yes. I'll try to conjure the kind of affinity I have with my son when we're both faced with the prospect of your sponge pudding."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S3E4

PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS

Originally broadcast: 30 September 1980
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Ria accidentally hears a private tape recording while cleaning in Russell's room, Leonard crashes his car in a one-way street, and Adam makes one mistake too many at work.

"Ria, you're not going to suggest we make love, are you? I'm absolutely no good between leaves and twigs."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S3E5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIA

Originally broadcast: 7 October 1980
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben books a hotel room as a birthday treat, Leonard's pursuit of Ria takes him all the way to London, and Mr. Conrad finds himself in a road accident without even leaving his drive.

"I wish you wouldn't undress when you're in a temper. You toss things over your shoulder with such venom, they disappear for ever. Like my chest when the party's over."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S3E6

GIMME SHELTER

Originally broadcast: 14 October 1980
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Adam and Russell start work on a fallout shelter in the back garden, Ria bumps into an old school friend, and things are put into perspective by the unlikeliest of people.

"Well, one is eating, and takes an evening. The other is something else, and takes all night."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S3E7

PARTING

Originally broadcast: 21 October 1980
Directed by: John B. Hobbs
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben prepares for a dental seminar in Cannes, an airport strike leads to a change of plans, and Leonard seizes on an opportunity to spend some time alone with Ria before he flies to New York.

"They don't hold seminars for housewives. Have you noticed that? Domestic Conference. To be hold on a floating supermarket off the Côte d'Azur. Tuesday the 14th. 'How to Get the Best Out of Your Squeegee'. Wednesday the 15th. A Study On How to Hold an Intellectual Conversation With Your Brillo Pad."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

SERIES FOUR

(1983)
7 episodes
Series Score: 53
Episode Average: 7.57
Perfect 10's: 0

S4E1

BACK FROM NEW YORK

Originally broadcast: 7 September 1980
Directed by: Sydney Lotterby
Written by: Carla Lane

Adam and Russell apply for social security, Ria loses a letter from America before she even gets chance to read it, and Thomas welcomes Leonard back from New York.

"I missed you following me around the bed. Funny how bereft we feel when things change. Sometimes I long to have the entire bed to myself. Sleeping with you is like sleeping with a rucksack on my back."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S4E2

AMANDA

Originally broadcast: 14 September 1980
Directed by: Sydney Lotterby
Written by: Carla Lane

Ria sees Leonard for the first time in six months, Ben meets up with a recently widowed old flame, and the men of the house are shocked to see dinner served on top of lunch.

"Oh, I did all my suffering years ago, when I tried to push start their car one morning. They shot off, leaving me lying prostrate in the drive. And I though, as I lay there, like a bear rug with asthma... I thought, this is it. We are entering the 'go slow' era."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S4E3

POT

Originally broadcast: 21 September 1980
Directed by: Sydney Lotterby
Written by: Carla Lane

Leonard's seen taking a job applicant out for lunch, Ria bumps into Jeannie in the park, and Ben confronts Adam and Russell about a little discovery he made on his return from Paris.

"I still buy your father's knickers, Adam. if you were married, your wife would be buying them. The world is full of women buying men their knickers."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S4E4

CLEANING WINDOWS

Originally broadcast: 28 September 1983
Directed by: Sydney Lotterby
Written by: Carla Lane

Thomas isn't too sure about Leonard's latest scheme, Adam and Russell have the opportunity to buy a window cleaning business, and Ria suddenly has reason to feel old.

"Oh, the kitchen defeats me! I mean, why can't I get anything right? Yesterday, my spaghetti looked like draught excluder. Today the lemon sole is lying there practising how to disguise itself as a loofah!"

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 9

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S4E5

CALLING

Originally broadcast: 5 October 1983
Directed by: Sydney Lotterby
Written by: Carla Lane

Russell's first meeting with his son ends in disappointment, the returning of Leonard's diary ends with cross words, and Ben's left shaken by a strange telephone call.

"Nothing... nothing. Well, I'm just looking at your soup, that's all. I don't believe it, it's doing everything right. It looks good, it smells goos, it's mobile."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S4E6

BREAKING UP

Originally broadcast: 12 October 1983
Directed by: Mandie Fletcher
Written by: Carla Lane

Russell gets acquainted with the merits of being a window cleaner, Ben spots Leonard getting out of Ria's car, and Adam insists on knowing what's wrong with his mum.

"I tried going without a bra last year. But I couldn't help feeling that... part of me had escaped. And if I rushed upstairs or ran for a bus, I didn't know where they were."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S4E7

LOOSE ENDS

Originally broadcast: 19 October 1983
Directed by: Mandie Fletcher
Written by: Carla Lane

Ben gives Amanda a lift to the train station, Ruby's plans for the weekend are met with concern, and Ria packs her bags and heads off to stay with a friend.

"What are those two doing up there? I don't know why, whenever they're out of sight, I keep expecting to hear a distant explosion."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

RIA
PARKINSON

Played by Wendy Craig
28 Episodes
in... A Dog's Life (S2E4)

BEN
PARKINSON

Played by Geoffrey Palmer
28 Episodes
in... He'll Have to Go (S1E6)

LEONARD
DUNN

Played by Bruce Montague
28 Episodes
in... When Ria Met Leonard (S1E1)

ADAM
PARKINSON

Played by Nicholas Lyndhurst
28 Episodes
in... Keeping Fit (S2E5)

RUSSELL
PARKINSON

Played by Andrew Hall
28 Episodes
in... He'll Have to Go (S1E6)

RUBY

Played by Joyce Windsor
26 Episodes
in... Ruby's Crisis (S3E2)

THOMAS

Played by Michael Ripper
19 Episodes
in... Fox Hunting (S2E2)

HARTLEY
CONRAD

Played by Milton Johns
6 Episodes
in... Happy Birthday, Ria (S3E5)