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
Following a recent spate of shop burglaries Simon installs a state of the art alarm system but when he forgets his passport breaks into the shop and sets it off, leading to his and Oliver's arrest.
1. In Whom We Tryst
Air Date: 1986-01-08
Peel and Smallbridge become attracted to the same shop assistant.
2. Going, Going, Gone!
Air Date: 1986-01-15
Peel and Smallbridge have to share a room in a country pub.
3. Thicker Than Water
Air Date: 1986-01-22
Simon reveals that he was left at an orphanage as a baby.
4. Kung Who?
Air Date: 1986-01-29
Simon takes up judo to defend himself against likely muggers and invites Oliver to accompany him to his class at the gym.
5. Reading Between the Lines
Air Date: 1986-02-05
Simon is aghast to learn that oily solicitor Brimley, with whom he was at school, is handling the property next to the antique shops and plans to sell it to a fast food chain in return for an expensive car.
6. Definitely Not Cricket!
Air Date: 1986-02-12
Lady Devereaux offers Simon some sporting memorabilia at knock-down prices provided he captains her staff cricket team against the rival side led by parvenu bookie Bernie Miller.
1. Feed A Cold
Air Date: 1987-01-15
Simon has a cold and Oliver offers to look after him.
2. Going to Pot
Air Date: 1987-01-22
Ringo decides to get some culture. After meeting one of his teachers, Simon and Oliver are pleased to accept his invitation to dinner and Simon makes a discovery in the kitchen cupboard.
3. Love ls A Many Splendoured Thing
Air Date: 1987-01-29
Oliver has fallen in love, however trouble arises after he meets his future mother-in-law.
4. A Night to Remember
Air Date: 1987-02-05
Burglars are in the neighbourhood, leading to an eventful night for the two households.
5. The Battle of Deveraux Dale
Air Date: 1987-02-12
Lady Deveraux asks Simon and Oliver to take part in a historical re-enactment of a Civil War battle, the battle of Deveraux Dale, at the village fete. On the opposing side is the bookie, Bernie Miller, who has a score to settle.
6. Affair of the Heart
Air Date: 1987-02-19
Simon's ex-wife Stephanie arrives unexpectedly.
1. Settled Out of Court
Air Date: 1988-01-27
A legal dispute arises between the two antique dealers following an incident in Oliver's shop.
2. The Wagers of Sin
Air Date: 1988-02-03
Oliver and Simon decide to have a wager on who can make the most profit on an item chosen by the other.
3. Betrothed, Bothered and Bewildered
Air Date: 1988-02-10
After a boozy night out, Banks remembers that he has proposed to Mrs Sadler. However, neither wants to go through with it, although they don't know that.
4. The Second Time Around
Air Date: 1988-02-17
Mrs Sadler is missing Banks. Fortunately, there is a happy ending for both of them.
5. Born to Blush Unseen
Air Date: 1988-02-24
Gardening Time. Oliver has something to show from his gardening efforts.
6. Fasten Your Seat Belts
Air Date: 1988-03-02
Simon & Oliver get severely drunk on Simon's birthday, and decide to visit their children in Canada.
1. Grandfathers-In-Law
Air Date: 1988-10-24
Lyn and David, with their baby Martin, return from Canada, causing great excitement to Simon and Oliver. However, the grandfathers have to learn to cope with the baby more than they had anticipated.
2. Nursery Times
Air Date: 1988-10-31
Lyn and David are looking for a flat while staying at Simon's house. But Oliver would like them to stay with him too.
3. Whose Baby?
Air Date: 1988-11-07
The christening is scheduled and Stephanie, Simon's ex, is invited, causing anxiety for both Simon and Oliver.
4. Never Say Die
Air Date: 1988-11-14
Simon has to go into hospital but confusion arises.
5. Moving On
Air Date: 1988-11-21
The house-hunting by Lyn and David reaches a conclusion. It causes Simon and Oliver to think about their own situation.
6. It's A Long Way To Friern Barnet
Air Date: 1988-11-28
Lyn and David move to their new flat. Oliver and Simon decide to help them by redecorating the flat.
1. Just the Ticket
Air Date: 1989-09-06
A series of mishaps contribute to a difficult day for Simon and, especially, Oliver.
2. A Point of Honour
Air Date: 1989-09-13
Simon advertises for an assistant for his shop but runs into trouble after interviewing one applicant.
3. A New Lease of Life
Air Date: 1989-09-20
Simon is feeling melancholic and decides to make a big change to his life.
4. Aspects of Love
Air Date: 1989-09-27
Simon arouses Oliver's suspicions and, in turn, Oliver is the subject of a rumour. These lead to gossip in the village.
5. Neighbours
Air Date: 1989-10-04
Simon holds a meeting of the Residents' Association. There is a new resident who is about to move in and this leads to a sleepless night for both Simon and Oliver.
6. Bonjour Paris!
Air Date: 1989-10-11
Off to Paris but soon they are in trouble at the restaurant and with the police, also causing a lot of trouble to an embassy official.
7. A Winter's Tale
Air Date: 1989-12-28
Christmas time. Simon and Oliver volunteer to keep watch overnight in the local church.
1. X Marks the Spot
Air Date: 1990-09-05
Oliver and Simon both decide to stand for election to the local Council.
2. S.W.A.L.K.
Air Date: 1990-09-12
Simon has a female pen-pal who he is looking forward to meeting, with a view to marriage. However, the reality is different.
3. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Air Date: 1990-09-19
Both Oliver and Simon are doing the pools and hope to win big. After Oliver makes a mistake, Simon takes the opportunity to have some fun.
4. Happy Holiday
Air Date: 1990-09-26
A weekend away for Simon and Oliver in Ringo's mother's country cottage. Trouble is that it's the wrong weekend.
5. There But for the Grace of God
Air Date: 1990-10-03
Simon comes across an old acquaintance who is down on their luck.
6. A Car By Any Other Name
Air Date: 1990-10-10
The vicar wants to sell his car and gets Simon to help, while Oliver is also selling his car. A confusing time is the result.
1. Viva Espana!
Air Date: 1991-09-04
Ringo wins a holiday in a competition and they all go to Spain.
2. The Best Laid Plans
Air Date: 1991-09-11
It is the 10th anniversary of the two antique dealers being in business; they decide to go out to have a meal and visit the theatre. But they encounter some difficulties.
3. Born Again
Air Date: 1991-09-18
Simon is searching for the meaning of life and thinks he has found it after listening to a preacher in the park. Oliver, however, sees a business opportunity.
4. There Goes the Bride
Air Date: 1991-09-25
Aunt Eleanor decides to get married after a whirlwind romance.
5. Two Fools and Their Money
Air Date: 1991-10-02
Both Simon and Oliver are in financial difficulties and decide to approach their bank manager.
6. The First of the Queue
Air Date: 1991-10-09
Oliver tells Simon about a bargain in a shop, which leads to extraordinary efforts by the two to be first in the queue to buy it. Guest starring Diana Mahoney, real-life wife of Donald Sinden.
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Rating
6.6/10
Release Date
1981-09-07
Episodes
67 (11 seasons)
Status
Ended
