| Series One (1976)
Episode
One
We are introduced to the
routine life of suburban commuter Reginald Perrin, his workplace and his
colleagues.
Two
The stresses of his mundane
life start to surface. He dictates rude, sarcastic letters, and fantasises
more about his secretary. Also features the safari park scene.
Three
Reggie finally plucks up
courage to ask Joan over for an affair while his wife is away, but he doesn't
bargain on a visit by his son, son-in-law and brother-in-law.
Four
With Elizabeth detained
at her mother's, the scheduled dinner party must be cancelled, but Reggie
has other ideas. He cancels the dinner, but not the party.
Five
Reggie gives a drunken speech
at the Fruit Association's seminar, threatens CJ at his fishing contest,
and leaves his clothes on the beach in an apparent suicide.
Six
Reggie, still very much
alive, tours the countryside under various guises, but realises he misses
his wife Elizabeth and tries to get his daughter to tell her of his fake
suicide.
Seven
Now settled in the disguise
of Martin Wellbourne, Reggie attends his own memorial service. Elizabeth
realises he's Reggie, but doesn't let on, and they become engaged.
Series Two (1977)
Episode
One
Martin Wellbourne (Reggie)
is employed at Sunshine Desserts, but gets bored running his own memorial
foundation. Joan and Doc realise his identity and C.J. sacks him.
Two
With Reggie now out of work,
Elizabeth takes employment - at Sunshine Desserts. She keeps this from
him, however, and Reggie suspects her of having an affair with C.J.
Three
Reggie now works at a pig
farm, until his boss uncovers his past. Unemployed again, Jimmy tries to
recruit him for his secret army, but gives Reggie an idea of his own.
Four
Reggie opens a shop called
Grot, selling rubbish. To his amazement it is a success and soon has a
chain of stores nationwide. He recruits the old mob to work for him.
Five
Reggie once again almost
has an affair with Joan, and his commercial success continues to grow.
But he realises he is back in the routine he tried so hard to escape from
before.
Six
Bored with being a success,
Reggie tries to destroy Grot by employing unsuitable people in unsuitable
roles. Result - even more success.
Seven
Destruction tactics continue
- ridiculous TV interviews, pretending to be gay, wearing dresses. But
the beach calls once more. |
Series Three (1978/9)
Episode
One
Reggie has a new idea: a
community for the middle-class and middle-aged where people can learn to
live in peace and harmony. He recruits the old mob again.
Two
The staff of Perrins undergo
a rigorous training period. Finally, the day dawns when the first guest
arrives - but he flees in panic.
Three
Reggie decides to take a
more dominant role, and guests begin to arrive. Very soon, the community
is a great success.
Four
Perrins now occupies five
properties - all of them bulging at the seams. The local council send round
representatives. Within a week, they too are guests.
Five
Success continues to grow,
but wayward guests are now present. A thief and a femme fatale threaten
to ruin the existence of the project.
Six
Problems hit Perrins. Guests
leave in droves, the staff are taken ill with dysentery, then local yobs
decide to get their own back on Perrins Peacekeeping Force.
Seven
The community is wound up,
and the staff return to normal lives. C.J. gets Reggie a job at his brother's
firm Amalgamated Aerosols, but again, the beach beckons.
Christmas Special (1982)
Christmas
Special
Reggie and Elizabeth are
looking forward to a quiet Christmas morning, but Joan, David, Tony, C.J.,
Doc, Jimmy and even a tramp come to share in Reggie's reluctant goodwill.
The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin (1996)
Episode
One
Reggie has died, killed
by a billboard advertising the life insurance co. with which he was insured.
He has left £1m to each of his friends and family - on one condition.
Two
To net a share of Reggie's
fortune, all benefactors must prove to have done something absurd. Individual
attempts fail, so they decide to work collectively.
Three
The team form BROSCOR -
the Bloodless Revolution of Senior Citizens and the Occupationally Rejected,
with the aim of marching on London.
Four
Both Doc and C.J. have affections
for the solicitor and executor of Reggie's will, while the project has
bought divorced Tom and Linda back together.
Five
The team concentrates on
recruiting their army for the demonstrations, but C.J. has had enough and
decides to talk to the press.
Six
Tom and Linda remarry, and
Joan marries her boyfriend Hank. David Harris-Jones gets drunk at the reception
and tells a BBC employee about the project.
Seven
It is the day of the revolution.
Coaches are hijacked, the recruits descend on London and Jimmy interrupts
the evening news. But the police have been tipped off. |