As Time Goes By
Two lovers are reunited after decades apart following a mutual misunderstanding.
Seasons
1. You Must Remember This
Air Date: 1992-01-12
We meet the two main characters: Lionel and Jean. In the pilot episode, Lionel is in a hotel cafe giving a waitress a hard time. He is scathingly sarcastic. Jean is, similarly, seen being brittle and unbending. Lionel is working on his book "My Life in Kenya" about his life in Kenya. (This joke comes up in numerous episodes.) He requires a secretary to help with the revisions. That's where Jean's secretary service ""...Type for You"" comes in. Judith, Jean's daughter, meets Lionel at his hotel to apologize for the terrible secretary. Lionel asks Judith out. When he arrives to pick her up he is introduced to Jean. After about two seconds Jean and Lionel both independently figure out who they each suspect the other person to be: a lover last seen in 1953.
2. Getting to Know You --- Again
Air Date: 1992-01-19
Jean and Lionel look no closer to renewing their relationship when Lionel checks out of his hotel without telling Jean. However, Lionel's publisher, Alistair, convinces him to go to a party tonight to meet some 'faces', people who can help in the sale of his book. He checks back in, and, after a walk in the park, Lionel asks Jean to go to the party with him.
3. The Copper Kettle
Air Date: 1992-01-26
Lionel is about to go on a lecture circuit, so he invites Jean for a day out. The revisit some old haunts, only to discover that a lot has changed. However, after a trek through an overgrown field, they find 'The Copper Kettle', an old place which Lionel and Jean were quite fond of.
4. Surprise, Surprise
Air Date: 1992-02-02
Judith persuades Jean to surprise Lionel by going along to his lecture in Nowrich. However, it is Jean who gets the surprise when she finds that Lionel already has a lady friend to stay with. While Lionel attempts to deal with the embarrasing position he is in, as well as his new found reputation as an elephant killer (thanks to Alistair's hyped-up blurb), Jean faces the romantic advances of Alistair.
5. Relationships
Air Date: 1992-02-09
The trip to Nowrich has changed Jean and Lionel's relationship. While Alistair still continues his romantic overtures to Jean, Lionel attempts to smooth things over with Jean. Alistair also gets Lionel to attempt another revision of his book, and Lionel becomes frustrated with the entire project.
6. The Picnic
Air Date: 1992-02-16
Jean and Lionel are both flattered by the romantic attentions of Alistair and Judith, but decide that things cannot continue as they are. Jean bets that if all four of them go on a picnic together, Judith and Alistair will hit it off. But perhaps it will be Jean and Lionel who grow closer...
1. White Hunter
Air Date: 1993-01-10
Lionel is nervous regarding an upcoming photo shoot for the cover of his book. Despite advice from Jean and Judith that whatever helps sell the book is worth it, Lionel is completely taken aback by what Alistair has in mind.
2. A Weekend Away
Air Date: 1993-01-17
Jean is put on the spot when Judith goes away for the weekend, and the house is left empty. She is somewhat flustered with all the suggestive comments regarding her and Lionel, and makes a fool of herself.
3. Visiting Rocky
Air Date: 1993-01-24
Lionel takes Jean to see his eccentric father Rocky, the complete opposite of Lionel's gruff self.
4. Why?
Air Date: 1993-01-31
Lionel wonders why Alistair, a rich, successful publisher would be interested in publishing Lionel's less-than-blockbuster book.
5. Misunderstandings
Air Date: 1993-02-07
During a weekend at Jean's sister-in-law's house, Jean and Lionel invent more and more ridiculous claims to cover-up their romance thirty-eight years ago.
6. The Cruise
Air Date: 1993-02-14
Jean becomes angry when Lionel invites her along on a cruise as a 'freebie'.
7. The Book Signing
Air Date: 1993-02-21
The book is finally published, and Lionel begins a nationwide book-signing tour.
1. We'll Always Have Paris
Air Date: 1994-01-02
While on a romantic holiday in paris Jean and Lionel must help a young couple who are fighting.
2. Rocky's Wedding Day
Air Date: 1994-01-09
It's Rocky and Madge's wedding day but, things don't go quite as planned.
3. Living Together, But Where?
Air Date: 1994-01-16
Jean and Lionel finally decide to live together but, each assume that the other one is moving into their place. Later Lionel get's arrested outside Jean's house for acting suspiciously.
4. Covering Up
Air Date: 1994-01-23
Jean's sister-in-law has decided to visit the ""lovebirds"" at Jean's house. Unfortunatly Jean has to cover up the fact that she and Lionel still have not moved in together.
5. Moving In
Air Date: 1994-01-30
Lionel finally agrees to move in with Jean.
6. Branching Out
Air Date: 1994-02-06
With Jean opening up a new branch of her secretarial agency Sandy and Judy have different ideas who should be in charge of it.
7. The Mini Series
Air Date: 1994-02-13
Alistair comes back from the states with news that a television company wants to turn Lionel's book into a miniseries. While trying to make copies at Jean's agency Lionel accidently shreds his summary that he wrote for the tv people. Despite this they decide to go ahead with the idea for the miniseries. So Jean and Lionel are off to Los Angeles.
8. A Trip to Los Angeles
Air Date: 1994-02-20
Jean and Lionel arrive in Los Angeles to discuss the miniseries being made from Lionel's book.
9. Dealing with Sally
Air Date: 1994-02-27
Jean comes back from the states to find that the new branch manager she hired isn't working out. So she decides to handle it but, makes things worse.
10. Problems, Problems
Air Date: 1994-03-06
Jean and Lionel aren't happy with how the miniseries project is coming. Jean hires Lionel a new secretary. While Rocky and Madge have an accident.
1. A House Full of Women
Air Date: 1995-03-05
Jean decides to turn the spare room into Lionel's office. But, plans change when Judy announces that Sandy has just broken up with her live-in boyfriend and has nowhere to go. So the women decide she must move in. Which makes Lionel more than a little uncomfortable.
2. Rewrites
Air Date: 1995-03-12
The television company making a miniseries out of Lionel's book ask him to make it a little sexier. Jean hires a new secretary for Lionel to help him with the rewrites. Unfortunately she isn't much help after all.
3. Getting Rid of Gwen
Air Date: 1995-03-19
Jean trys to help Lionel come up with a plan to get rid of Ms. Flack. While Ms. Flack decides to move away to her sister's.
4. The Affair
Air Date: 1995-03-26
Jean's sister-in-law decides to move in with her and Lionel after she finds out her husband is having an affair. Actually he being so secretive because he is planning a surprise anniversary party for her.
5. Welcome News
Air Date: 1995-04-02
Rocky decides to give Lionel his country house in-which the film crew for the miniseries has decided to shoot. Jean and Lionel get engaged.
6. The Anniversary Party
Air Date: 1995-04-09
Stephen plans a surprise anniversary party for Penny but, mixes up the dates. While Jean and Lionel argue about being ""engaged"".
7. Wedding Preparations
Air Date: 1995-04-16
Jean and Lionel finally set a date for the wedding. While the women are planning the wedding, Lionel finally finishes his script for the miniseries.
8. Wedding Day Nerves
Air Date: 1995-04-23
Lionel and Jean's wedding day arrives. Lionel has to deal with a case of nerves while Jean has to deal with her sister-in-laws meddling.
9. Judith's New Romance
Air Date: 1995-04-30
Judy gets a new boyfriend and Jean decides to ""help"" out her daughter.
10. Improvements?
Air Date: 1995-05-07
Lionel gets some suggestions for improvements to his script for the miniseries. Jean and Lionel argue over her retirement that has yet to happen. Later they go out to the country house to see some of the filming for the miniseries.
1. The Country Set
Air Date: 1996-01-07
Jean and Lionel spend a weekend in the country at Rocky's house. Upon arriving, they are visited by ""the country set.""
2. Lionel's Ex-Wife
Air Date: 1996-01-14
Lionel's ex-wife, Margaret, asks him out for a drink, and he asks Jean to go with him. When Margaret arrives she isn't at all like Jean anticipated. Turns out she has changed a lot since the divorce and is now rich with a very young boyfriend.
3. Lionel's New Hobby
Air Date: 1996-01-21
Lionel starts building model boats as a way to pass the time. Jean worries about Lionel. Alistair trys to get Lionel to work on another book.
4. Avoiding the Country Set
Air Date: 1996-02-04
Jean and Lionel visit the country house again but, this time try to avoid the townspeople that caused them so much trouble the last time they visited.
5. Broadcast Plans
Air Date: 1996-02-11
Alistair trys to get Lionel and Jean to go with him to the screening of the miniseries in the states. Lionel not liking the changes refuses to go so Alistair invites Sandy and Judy to go instead.
6. At Death's Door
Air Date: 1996-02-18
The miniseries based on Lionel's book is finally aired on U.S. television. When Jean's sister-in-law Penny has to go into the hopital she thinks things are worse than they are and makes a big fuss.
7. Showered with Gifts
Air Date: 1996-02-25
Lionel and Jean befriend the villagers who shower the couple with gifts.
1. The Stalker
Air Date: 1997-05-18
Lionel fears he's losing his strength. So when a stalker starts following Sandy home he decides to show he can take care of the situation. Turns out it's just a love-sick teenager following her.
2. The Psychotherapist
Air Date: 1997-05-25
Just as Lionel is getting used to his new leisurely lifestyle, Jean steps up her pace at work and home. Jean decides to see a psychotherapist to help her with wanting to stop working but, not wanting to ""retire"".
3. The Dinner Party
Air Date: 1997-06-01
Jean and Lionel must endure a trying evening with Jeans' sister-in-law.
4. What's Wrong with Mrs Bale?
Air Date: 1997-06-08
Jean and Lionel visit the country house and find Mrs. Bale in an odd mood. After Jean suggests Lionel talk to Mrs. Bale to find out what is wrong he becomes ill. When the doctor shows to treat Lionel it is revealed that it's the doctor that Mrs. Bale has a problem with.
5. Alistair's Engagement
Air Date: 1997-06-15
Alistair surprises everyone by announcing his engagement to someone he just met named Mercury. Judy's new boyfriend Paul lies to her and she breaks up with him. Jean wishes Alistair and Judy would get back together.
6. The House Next Door
Air Date: 1997-06-22
While spending an evening at home everyone is startled by noises coming from the empty house next door. Jean calls the police but, its just the ex owner getting some boxes he had left. The young police officer who shows up to investigate takes a liking to Sandy and asks her out. Jean gets news that Penny and Stephen are looking to buy the house next door. Alistair has a plan to buy the house so they don't have to deal with Penny and Stephen as neighbors.
7. A Surprise for Jean
Air Date: 1997-06-29
Jean tells Lionel that she wants him to surprise her more. So Alistair suggests Lionel surprise Jean with a trip. However it turns out not to be the easiest thing to do.
1. Pardon?
Air Date: 1998-04-19
Jean suspects that Lionel is going deaf. But despite the fact that he clearly can't hear very much, Lionel resists going to a doctor. Meanwhile, he becomes convinced that Jean is having problems with her eyes, and sets about solving this dilemma.
2. An Old Flame
Air Date: 1998-04-26
Jean and Lionel take a parental interest in Harry, Sandy's policeman boyfriend. Yet, the affairs of the younger generation seem to diminish in importance when Jean receives a phone message from an old flame.
3. The New Neighbours
Air Date: 1998-05-03
Jean undertakes some strategic snooping to discover what the new neighbors are like. How is it they show up at the pub with black eyes after fighting with one another?
4. The Bypass
Air Date: 1998-05-10
The whole gang (minus Harry, who is stuck on duty for protest coverage) head out to the country for the weekend. But road construction is about to throw the travelers for a loop.
5. Too Old ... or Too Nosy
Air Date: 1998-05-17
Jean's brother Steven and his wife are expected for another visit. As they are considered a rather dull couple by the Hardcastles, it is most surprising that they arrive via separate modes of transportation to announce that they are having a tiff.
6. The Old Folks' Party
Air Date: 1998-05-24
Jean ropes everyone into helping at a party for the oldies ... bottoms are pinched, Alastair excels as a DJ, and Jean and Lionel hope to be treated as well in their old age. Madge and Rocky spice things up with booze.
7. The Proposal
Air Date: 1998-05-31
Alastair finally proposes to Judy and she eventually accepts. But the trouble starts when Judy finds out the circumstances of his proposal. Also, will the couple buy the house next door to Lionel and Jean?
1. A Very Personal Problem
Air Date: 2000-07-30
Judy and Alistair are no longer seeing each other neither are Sandy and Harry. So Jean decides to cheer them up. Alistair comes around to see Lionel but, Jean thinks he's there to see Judy. Jean worries that Judy will think that she was meddling so she tells Judy that Alistair was there discussing a personal problem that Lionel has. Thinking that it involves Jean, Judy plans a romantic weekend away for Lionel and Jean.
2. Animal Magnetism
Air Date: 2000-08-06
Lionel trys to convince Jean that a dog has been following him. Judy and Sandy come home with the very dog that was following him. The women want to keep the dog but, Lionel wants to take him to the shelter so they can find his owner. The owner contacts the police and Harry brings him around to get the dog. Since Judy won't go with him to a party, Alistair invites Sandy and she excepts. Meanwhile Harry asks Judy to go to the movies with him and she excepts.
3. The Bathroom
Air Date: 2000-08-13
After Lionel walks in on Sandy in the bathroom Jean decides to add a second bathroom. But, things don't go as planned.
4. Surprising News
Air Date: 2000-08-20
Penny and Stephen arrive with news that they are moving to Spain and building a dream house. Lionel starts to worry about his future money situation and asks Alistair for some financial advise.
5. Future Imperfect
Air Date: 2000-08-27
Lionel is still worried about his money future and Alistair suggests he sell the country house. Lionel and Jean decide that they should sell the house but, who is going to tell Mrs. Bale and Lol they are out of jobs. Lionel and Jean go to the country to inform everyone of their decision to sell. Later Rocky calls and offers to buy the house from Lionel so everything can remain the same.
6. Going Online
Air Date: 2000-09-01
Jean wants to get on the Internet. Allistar makes an annoucement which leads to his reconcilation with Judy. Meanwhile Harry breaks his leg and that leads to his reconcilation with Sandy.
1. Time to Settle Down (a.k.a. You Can't Manufacture Happy Endings for Everybody)
Air Date: 2002-07-07
Alistair has finally proposed to Judith, needless to say there are complications as Judith plans for a country wedding and realisation strikes confirmed bachelor Alistair.
2. Another Proposal (a.k.a. Wedding Plans)
Air Date: 2002-07-14
The truth about Alistair's wedding nerves are revealed after he and Lionel fail to keep it a secret from Jean and his bride to be, and Rocky relishes the chance to air some of his stories.
3. The World Will Always Welcome Lovers (a.k.a The Wedding)
Air Date: 2002-07-21
Rocky comes to the rescue when there is a problem with the best man at Alistair and Judith's wedding. Lol's wedding outfit does not go quite according to plan. The family is introduced to an unusual wedding custom. And Jean is still trying to matchmake between Harry and Sandy.
4. What Now?
Air Date: 2002-08-04
Alistair and Judith are now married, but will Harry pluck up the courage and ask Sandy to join him in Canada? Meanwhile, in the Hardcastle household, Jean has taken pity on a homeless girl named Dave - but Lionel is not entirely sure about her new friend.
5. You Must Remember This
Air Date: 2002-08-11
On their own at last, with Alistair and Judith married off and Sally and Harry gone to Canada, Jean and Lionel take a look back on their life together in a one-hour retrospective featuring clips from past episodes.
1. Christmas Special Part One
Air Date: 2005-12-26
Jean feathers the nest for grandchildren, even though Lionel points out that neither Judy nor Sandy have gotten pregnant yet. It turns out that Judy and Alistair have been trying, with no results, and Judy suspects the problem may be Alistair--who is wildly overcompensating to prove his virility. Meanwhile, Sandy is upset because Harry seeks a promotion that may put him in harm's way. And in the middle of all this, Lionel gets a very unexpected visitor from Africa.
2. Christmas Special Part Two
Air Date: 2005-12-30
Judy and Sandy play a horrid trick on the strait-laced Penny and Stephen. The entire extended family winds up at the A&E when Rocky is injured line dancing and Stephen's quest to become a celebrity results in injuries for himself and Penny.
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Rating
7.6/10
Release Date
1992-01-12
Episodes
67 (10 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Videos
Production Companies
BBC