Never the Twain
Never the Twain is a British sitcom that ran for eleven series from 7 September 1981 to 9 October 1991. It was created by Johnnie Mortimer, and was the only sitcom he ever created without his usual writing partner, Brian Cooke. Mortimer wrote the entirety of the first two series and four episodes out of six of the eighth, with the rest being mainly written by Vince Powell and John Kane. It starred Windsor Davies and Donald Sinden as rival antique dealers, and also starred Derek Deadman, Zara Nutley, Robin Kermode, Tacy Kneale, Julia Watson, Honor Blackman, Teddy Turner and Maria Charles. The title is taken from the Rudyard Kipling poem; The Ballad of East and West.
Seasons
1. Families At War
Air Date: 1981-09-07
The feuding fathers find out about the relationship between their son and daughter and consider taking steps to prevent a marriage.
2. Of Meissen Men
Air Date: 1981-09-14
Veronica appears on the scene - causing Simon and Oliver to compete for more than antiquities.
3. A Night At The Opera
Air Date: 1981-09-21
Veronica wants to go to the opera in Edinburgh. Simon and Oliver each compete to be her date. Simon has to find a replacement au pair.
4. A Matched Pair
Air Date: 1981-09-28
Oliver's antiques shop is burgled. A pair of pistols is reported missing, but when these mysteriously turn up in Simon's shop Oliver turns this misfortune into an opportunity to make money from an insurance claim. Simon is arrested when a police officer spots the pistols in his shop window. To encourage Oliver to assist him in getting the charges dropped he agrees to help Oliver get membership at his golf club.
5. Nothing But The Truth
Air Date: 1981-10-05
Oliver beats Simon to a painting they both want. But is it a Constable or not? David confesses propositioning another woman, jeopardising their engagement.
6. Father Of The Groom
Air Date: 1981-10-19
Simon holds a dinner for Oliver, Lyn and David, his ulterior motive being to expose Oliver's lack of etiquette. Lyn prepares for her move into Simon and David's home. David and Lyn's wedding day arrives.
1. Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed ?
Air Date: 1982-09-07
Simon nominates Oliver for membership of his golf club. Oliver holds a function for the committee members to win their support. Lyn and David are on their honeymoon and return to find Oliver and Simon quarrelling over their wedding presents.
2. As Young As You Feel
Air Date: 1982-09-14
Simon and Oliver seek to win Veronica's affections. Oliver reaches the age of 50. Lyn is concerned about her father being lonely, but David is concerned about the amount of time she spends with him.
3. A Woman's Place ...
Air Date: 1982-09-21
David and Lyn quarrel about her taking a full-time job. Oliver seeks a new cleaner. Simon is losing to Oliver in a telephone chess game and becomes suspicious about Oliver's apparent skill at the game.
4. Blood Brothers
Air Date: 1982-09-28
Simon needs a blood transfusion, but he has a rare blood type. Oliver has the same blood type and agrees to donate in return for favours from Simon, including dating Veronica.
5. lf You Knew Susan
Air Date: 1982-10-05
Simon's sister visits him and Oliver immediately falls for her. Simon and Oliver each purchase one of a pair of figurines and then attempt to purchase the others to make a valuable pair.
6. The More We Are Together
Air Date: 1982-10-12
Oliver and Simon each separately consider reforming their partnership due to the poor state of their accounts and the imminent arrival of the taxman.
1. Taking Stock
Air Date: 1983-10-10
Oliver and Simon have re-entered their partnership. They decide to do a stocktake. Oliver meets up with an old school friend, Bethan. Confusion ensues over a fake watch and a "pair" of candlesticks.
2. Partners
Air Date: 1983-10-17
Simon receives an offer for his shop. Oliver thinks that Ringo has won the pools and breaks his partnership with Simon, offering Ringo a partnership. However, thinks are not what they seem for either man.
3. A Nose For Quality
Air Date: 1983-10-24
Both Simon and Oliver believe that they have appointments to meet Lady Deveraux with a view to purchasing some of her antiques.
4. The End Of The Line
Air Date: 1983-10-31
Oliver and Simon discuss the issue of grandchildren. David claims to have had a vasectomy. Oliver and Simon join a dating agency as an alternative route to continuing their family lines.
5. The Welsh Connection
Air Date: 1983-11-07
Simon and Oliver go on a health kick. An auction in Wales causes disagreement between the two men.
6. Not On The Same Wavelength
Air Date: 1983-11-14
Simon and Oliver are invited as guests onto a radio show. The two men become convinced that Lyn is pregnant.
1. A Home of Your Own
Air Date: 1984-11-08
David and Lyn have moved to Canada. Simon needs to find someone to rent his flat quickly before his Aunt Eleanor moves in.
2. The Royal Connection
Air Date: 1984-11-15
Oliver attempts to gain the Royal Warrant for his shop from the Prince of Wales. Simon investigates his family tree in the hope of finding that he has blue blood.
3. Words and Music
Air Date: 1984-11-22
Oliver and Simon volunteer to perform at a Vet Circle luncheon for Caroline.
4. No Flame Like An Old Flame
Air Date: 1984-11-29
Simon's life becomes complicated when an old sweetheart pays him an unexpected visit.
5. Love's Neighbours' Lost
Air Date: 1984-12-06
Oliver and Simon duel over a woman, Caroline. But they find that there is another man vying for her affections.
6. Come Fly With Me
Air Date: 1984-12-13
1. In Whom We Tryst
Air Date: 1986-01-08
2. Going, Going, Gone!
Air Date: 1986-01-15
3. Thicker Than Water
Air Date: 1986-01-22
4. Kung Who ?
Air Date: 1986-01-29
5. Reading Between The Lines
Air Date: 1986-02-05
6. Definitely Not Cricket!
Air Date: 1986-02-12
1. Feed A Cold
Air Date: 1987-01-15
2. Going To Pot
Air Date: 1987-01-22
3. Love ls A Many Splendoured Thing
Air Date: 1987-01-29
4. A Night To Remember
Air Date: 1987-02-05
5. The Battle Of Deveraux Dale
Air Date: 1987-02-12
6. Affair of the Heart
Air Date: 1987-02-19
1. Settled Out of Court
Air Date: 1988-01-27
2. The Wagers Of Sin
Air Date: 1988-03-03
3. Betrothed, Bothered And Bewildered
Air Date: 1988-02-10
4. The Second Time Around
Air Date: 1988-02-17
5. Born To Blush Unseen
Air Date: 1988-02-24
6. Fasten Your Seat Belts
Air Date: 1988-03-02
1. Grandfathers-In-Law
Air Date: 1988-10-24
2. Nursery Times
Air Date: 1988-10-31
3. Whose Baby ?
Air Date: 1988-11-07
4. Never Say Die
Air Date: 1988-11-14
5. Moving On
Air Date: 1988-11-21
6. It's A Long Way To Friern Barnet
Air Date: 1988-11-28
1. Just The Ticket
Air Date: 1989-09-06
2. A Question Of Honour
Air Date: 1989-09-13
3. A New Lease Of Life
Air Date: 1989-09-20
4. Aspects Of Love
Air Date: 1989-09-27
5. Neighbours
Air Date: 1989-10-04
6. Bonjour Paris
Air Date: 1989-10-11
7. A Winter's Tale
Air Date: 1989-12-28
1. X Marks The Spot
Air Date: 1990-09-05
2. S.W.A.L.K.
Air Date: 1990-09-12
3. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Air Date: 1990-09-19
4. Happy Holiday
Air Date: 1990-09-26
5. There But For The Grace Of God
Air Date: 1990-10-03
6. A Car By Any Other Name
Air Date: 1990-10-10
1. Viva Espana
Air Date: 1991-09-04
2. The Best Laid Plans
Air Date: 1991-09-11
3. Born Again
Air Date: 1991-09-18
4. There Goes The Bride
Air Date: 1991-09-25
5. Two Fools And Their Money
Air Date: 1991-10-02
6. The First Of The Queue
Air Date: 1991-10-09
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Rating
6.6/10
Release Date
1981-09-07
Episodes
67 (11 seasons)
Status
Ended