British Comedy: The Darling Buds of May

Years: 1991-1993
Broadcaster: ITV (Yorkshire)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Written by: H.E. Bates, Richard Harris,
Bob Larbey, Paul Wheeler, Robert Banks Stewart,
Barry Devlin, Stephen Bill
Stars: David Jason, Pam Ferris
Episodes: 20
Episode Average: 8.350*

BEST EPISODES:
The Darling Buds of May: Part 2 (1991), Oh! To Be in England: Part 1 (1992)

*including specials

SERIES ONE

(1991)
6 episodes
Series Score: 53*
Episode Average: 8.83
Perfect 10's: 2
*not including special

S1E1

THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 7 April 1991
Directed by: Rodney Bennett
Written by: Bob Larbey, H.E. Bates

Ma shocks Pop with news that Mariette's going to have a baby, a visiting tax inspector finds himself distracted by the beautiful mother-to-be, and every effort's made to avoid filling in all of the unnecessary paperwork.

"No, but that's what I mean about this tax lark, you see. I never have cash in me hand long enough to need to pay any. It stands to reason, eh?"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 9

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

S1E2

THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 14 April 1991
Directed by: Rodney Bennett
Written by: Bob Larbey, H.E. Bates

Mariette isn't happy about having competition in the strawberry fields, preparations are made for the hosting of the gymkhana in the meadow, and Charley manages to make a big decision about his future.

"It was a bit like trying to catch a mole down a dark alley."

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 10

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

S1E3

WHEN THE GREEN WOODS LAUGH

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 21 April 1991
Directed by: Robert Tronson
Written by: Bob Larbey, H.E. Bates

Pop does a deal to buy Bluff Court with the intention of demolishing it, Charley sends off a letter of resignation to his boss at the tax office, and finances takes a hit when a shed full of army surplus goes up in smoke.

"Oh, well, that's the thing, though, innit? You don't see 'em until you see 'em."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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

S1E4

WHEN THE GREEN WOODS LAUGH

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 28 April 1991
Directed by: Robert Tronson
Written by: Bob Larbey, H.E. Bates

The new people at Bluff Court struggle to settle into country life, the Brigadier worries that he isn't worthy of being Charley's best man, and Pop's summoned to appear in court on the day of Mariette's wedding.

"Ma went on a diet once. By the time she went through her list of dos and don'ts, she was ready for a rattling good breakfast."

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 10

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

S1E5

A BREATH OF FRENCH AIR

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 5 May 1991
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Robert Banks Stewart, H.E. Bates

Pop tries to teach Charley the fine art of getting the most out auctions, Ma demands a holiday in Brittany after speaking to a fisherman in Ramsgate, and Primrose goes out for lunch with a young French boy.

"Don't get your thingummybobs caught in your whatsits!"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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

S1E6

A BREATH OF FRENCH AIR

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 12 May 1991
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Robert Banks Stewart, H.E. Bates

A jealous Charley tries to drag Mariette away from the gaze of the locals, Pop's spotted splashing about in the sea with his little firework, and preparations are made at the hotel for a surprise anniversary dinner.

"Yeah, she is a bit like a nun. Ain't got none, son't want none, and ain't likely to get none!"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

(1991)

SPECIAL

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Originally broadcast: 22 December 1991
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

Pop tries to make the most of the festivities by selling trees and turkeys, Victoria does a deal with an escaped prisoner who's hiding in the barn, and Mariette has a pregnancy scare while decorating the new bungalow.

"That's different. If I fall, I bounce."

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 9

SERIES TWO

(1992)
6 episodes
Series Score: 47*
Episode Average: 7.83
Perfect 10's: 1
*not including special

S2E1

OH! TO BE IN ENGLAND

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 26 January 1992
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

Charley tries to provide for his family by investing in a barge load of pig iron, Primrose makes her feelings clear when she falls for the new vicar, and Pop steps in to stop an elderly lady being swindled by her nephew.

"That's me, all right - a proper Charley, and no mistake."

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 10

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

S2E2

OH! TO BE IN ENGLAND

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 2 February 1992
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

An old friend of pops ends up in hospital when he visits with his fair, Mlle. Dupont heads to England to visit Lord Sidcup's country home, and Charley decides that there's a fortune to be made from strawberries.

"Excuse me, Sherlock. Just in case it is her... hadn't you better put your trousers on."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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

S2E3

STRANGER AT THE GATES

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 9 February 1992
Directed by: Steve Goldie
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

A Danish handyman proves to be popular with the ladies of the village, Pops wonders how somebody would go about buying a big hole in the ground, and Charley investigates the business potential of a hop garden.

"Oh, yeah? Well, what do you call this?"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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

S2E4

STRANGER AT THE GATES

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 16 February 1992
Directed by: Steve Goldie
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

The Larkins struggle to understand reaction to Pieter's true nationality, Primrose tells Reverend Candy that she's ready to be confirmed, and Montgomery has trouble with group of lads while fishing at the quarry.

"You threw on a few rags? It looks like half of them missed!"

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 9

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

S2E5

A SEASON OF HEAVENLY GIFTS

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 23 February 1992
Directed by: Robert Tronson
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

A pilot asks Pop to deliver some kitchen utensils after making an emergency landing, a Polish land developer makes Charley an offer on the hop garden, and a cornered burglar hides his loot in the Rolls-Royce.

"I don't know how he puts up with that dummy. He can hardly get a word in edgeways, can he?"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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

S2E6

A SEASON OF HEAVENLY GIFTS

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 1 March 1992
Directed by: Robert Tronson
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

A group of bikers are brought in to find who owns a yellow Roll-Royce, Pop takes on a bullying instructor at Merchant Navy training college, and Charley's forced to step in to prevent the destruction of the hop garden.

"I ran away to sea once you know... Yeah. Got as far as the Woolwich ferry and I was sick."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

(1992)

SPECIAL

LE GRAND WEEKEND

Originally broadcast: 26 December 1992
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Richard Harris, H.E. Bates

Pop and Ma set off for a weekend in Paris after winning a competition, constant delays due to bad weather call for a bit of creative thinking, and a falling telegraph pole causes a pregnant horse to bolt on the farm.

"Well, Paris - France - same thing. Not just because of la amour... and la manger... but they've got a place there called Cognac. Now, any country that can name a town after a drink can't be all bad."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 9

SERIES THREE

(1993)
6 episodes
Series Score: 49
Episode Average: 8.17
Perfect 10's: 1

S3E1

THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 28 February 1993
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Paul Wheeler, H.E. Bates

Primrose sets her sights on one of the builders fixing the farm roof, Pop agrees to send the twins to a boarding school despite the state of the place, and Mariette gets the opportunity to shows off her business skills.

"Hamlet! Yes, I like that. Hamlet. To bacon or not to bacon... Ha."

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 9

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

S3E2

THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 7 March 1993
Directed by: David Giles
Written by: Paul Wheeler, H.E. Bates

Petunia and Zinnia turn up safe and well after running away from school, Charley's given the opportunity to buy the brewery from Ernest Bristow, and Pop finds reason to call in a favour from the man fixing the roof.

"No, it's true. Listen to me...
Never before, in the fields of mildewed Brockhurst, will so much be owed by so many girls to so few fellas. And let them say this: This will be your finest hour, Ron Waggit"

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 10

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

S3E3

CAST NOT YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 14 March 1993
Directed by: Rodney Bennett
Written by: Barry Devlin, H.E. Bates

Pop decides to have a swimming pool built on the farm for Ma's birthday, Primrose falls for a poet from Liverpool who's working as a labourer, and the new man in Edith's life offers an easy way to make money from pigs.

"Yeah. Happy as a pig in sh... a piggery. Eh, Edith?"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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

S3E4

CAST NOT YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 21 March 1993
Directed by: Rodney Bennett
Written by: Barry Devlin, H.E. Bates

Primrose follows her heart by running away to Liverpool to see Roger, Pop tries to work out exactly how George is trying to rip him off with the pigs, and the Larkins throw a party to celebrate the opening of the pool.

"You won't need those. And you won't need petrol. They've got plenty of petrol in Liverpool. Oh... and you certainly don't need that."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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

S3E5

CLIMB THE GREASY POLE

(PART 1)
Originally broadcast: 28 March 1993
Directed by: Robert Tronson
Written by: Paul Wheeler, H.E. Bates

One of Primrose's teachers asks about Charley's accountancy services, talk about a sand quarry persuades Pop to stand in the council elections, and Mariette visits the bank to deal with the issue of brewery debts.

"Oh. Do ask him to come in. Make sure he wipes his shoes first, though, won't you?"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 7

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

S3E6

CLIMB THE GREASY POLE

(PART 2)
Originally broadcast: 4 April 1993
Directed by: Robert Tronson
Written by: Paul Wheeler, H.E. Bates

Tom encourages Mariette to talk to Charley about their problems, Pop refuses to use a group of gypsies to gain a political advantage, and the bank manager helps get the deal pushed through for the brewery.

"Friends, Romans and earwigs, let me your countrymen."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 5
TOTAL: 9

SIDNEY CHARLES
'POP' LARKIN

Played by David Jason
20 episodes (1991-1993)
in... The Darling Buds of May
Part 2 (1991)

FLORENCE DAISY
'MA' LARKIN

Played by Pam Ferris
20 episodes (1991-1993)
in... When the Green Woods Laugh
Part 1 (1991)

MARIETTE
LARKIN

Played by Catherine Zeta-Jones
18 episodes (1991-1993)
in... The Darling Buds of May
Part 2 (1991)

PRIMROSE
LARKIN

Played by Julie Stichbury
6 episodes (1991)
in... A Breath of French Air
Part 2 (1991)

PRIMROSE
LARKIN

Played by Abigail Rokison
12 episodes (1991-1993)
in... Oh! To Be in England
(1992)

MONTGOMERY
LARKIN

Played by Ian Tucker
13 episodes (1991-1992)
in... the Darling Buds of May
Part 1 (1991)

PETUNIA
LARKIN

Played by Christina Giles
16 episodes (1991-1993)
in... Stranger at the Gates
Part 1 (1992)

ZINNIA
LARKIN

Played by Katherine Giles
16 episodes (1991-1993)
in... Stranger at the Gates
Part 1 (1992)

VICTORIA
LARKIN

Played by Stephanie Ralph
19 episodes (1991-1993)
in... Christmas is Coming
(1991)

OSCAR
LARKIN

Played by Ross Marriott
16 episodes (1991-1993)
in... A Breath of French Air
Part 1 (1991)

CEDRIC 'CHARLEY'
CHARLTON

Played by Philip Franks
18 episodes (1991-1993)
in... Oh! To Be in England
Part 1 (1992)

JOHN
BLENHEIM

Played by Daisy-May Bates
11 episodes (1992-1993)
in... The Season of Heavenly Gifts
Part 1 (1992)

UNCLE PERCIVAL
LARKIN

Played by Arthur White
2 episodes (1991)
in.. When the Green Woods Laugh
Part 1 (1991)

EDITH
PILCHESTER

Played by Rachel Bell
16 episodes (1991-1993)
in... Oh! To Be in England
(1992)

BRIGADIER

Played by Moray Watson
11 episodes (1991-1993)
in... The Darling Buds of May
Part 1 (1991)

ANGELA
SNOW

Played by Kika Mirylees
7 episodes (1991-1992)
in... When the Green Woods Laugh
Part 1 (1991)

SGT.
WILSON

Played by Martyn Read
6 episodes (1991-1993)
in... The Season of Heavenly Gifts
Part 1 (1992)

REVEREND
CANDY

Played by Tyler Butterworth
4 episodes (1992)
in... Oh! To Be in England
(1992)

ERNEST
BRISTOW

Played by Michael Jayston
4 episodes (1993)
in... The Happiest Days of Your Life
Part 2 (1993)

MRS.
DAWS

Played by Carol MacReady
4 episodes (1992-1993)
in... Stranger at the Gates
Part 2 (1992)

MRS.
KINTHLEY

Played by Sheila Burrell
4 episodes (1992)
in... The Season of Heavenly Gifts
Part 1 (1992)

TOM
SARGENT

Played by Steven Brand
4 episodes (1993)
in... The Happiest Days of Your Life
Part 2 (1993)

MLLE. ANTOINETTE
DUPONT

Played by Anna Massey
3 episodes (1991-1992)
in... A Breath of French Air
Part 2 (1991)

SIR GEORGE
BLUFF-GORE

Played by Michael Culver
3 episodes (1991)
in... When the Green Woods Laugh
Part 2 (1991)

LADY
BLUFF-GORE

Played by Richenda Carey
3 episodes (1991)
in... When the Green Woods Laugh
Part 1 (1991)

REVEREND
SPINK

Played by John Carlin
3 episodes (1991)
in... Christmas is Coming
(1991)