Episode 721 (13th November 1967)

Plot[]

Part One: The yard office refurbishment is complete and Emily has installed a proper filing cabinet, typewriter and office furniture. Len returns from taking Stanley back to Nottingham and hates it on sight. Elsie visits Val and tells her that Miami Modes has taken her back on. She invites her and Ken round that night. On their own, Ken admits to Val that he doesn't like Steve. Lucille tells Jerry that Douglas Preston is married and he tells her to inform Emily. Jack gives Len the idea of making alterations to the office when Emily and Jerry aren't looking. Steve invites Major Ryan in when he drops him off at home, but advises him to say nothing to his wife about his transfer request to Germany. Inside they find that Val and Ken are there and Ken has tried on Steve's spare uniform. Steve is embarrassed in front of his commanding officer. Lucille tells Emily that Douglas might have a wife, just as he walks into Gamma for their night out.

Part Two: Len alters the office, including putting up a girlie calendar. Albert returns items to him that he found in skip, including Len's old navy cap. Len spins tall stories to Albert about his war service. Emily asks Douglas if he's married. He tries to avoid answering the question and Emily breaks off their relationship. Finding that Major Ryan is from Detroit, Ken turns the conversations to the summer riots there and the violence generally in the United States. Things get heated between him and Steve, and Major Ryan has to remind his subordinate that they are guests in the UK. Val and Elsie walk into the conversation and are embarrassed. Ken and Val leave under a cloud. Jerry isn't surprised by Len's office changes but is placated with a pint. He also exposes Len's tall tales about his wartime service. Emily tracks down Douglas's hotel and discovers he has a domineering sister, Amy who demands to speak to her. Hearing Steve say that he prefers the UK how it was twenty years ago to now, Elsie questions him and finds about the Germany transfer. In turn, she tells him about Miami Modes. They realise that cracks are occurring in their marriage.

Cast[]

Regular cast[]

Guest cast[]

Major Ryan - Warren Stanhope
Douglas Preston - John Baddeley
Amy Preston - Katherine Parr

Places[]

Rovers Return Inn - Public/snug
9 Coronation Street - Back room/kitchen
Gamma Garments
Fairclough and Booth - Office
Gladstone Gardens, Altrincham
Flat 7, Gladstone Gardens, Altrincham - Living room and hallway
Hotel reception

Notes[]

In a note of historical accuracy, HMS Glendower, which Len told Albert was a ship involved in the Arctic convoys, was indeed a training establishment at Caernarfonshire, Wales in what had been a Butlin's holiday camp as pointed out later in the episode by Jerry Booth.
TV Times: No synopsis appeared in the magazine between Episode 702 (6th September 1967) and Episode 755 (11th March 1968)
Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 8,550,000 homes (4th place).

November 1967 episodes
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