The Best Episodes of Breeders

Paul takes his parents on a day-trip to the countryside, to recreate a cherished memory. But the revelation of a number of secrets leaves all three of them reeling.

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Paul and Ally rush to fly back from their holiday when they hear that Maya is giving birth five weeks early. Ava and Sunil try to help Luke step up and become a father, but everyone is in shock when complications set in.

Director: Ollie Parsons

Writer: Sonya Kelly

A furious argument between Paul and Ally is interrupted by Ava's news about Jim. Luke is happier than ever, a newly confident Ava stands up to her dad, but Paul and Ally need to decide - is this it?

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A calendar mix-up turns Paul and Ally’s fun night out into a stressful night in. A happy Ava finds her mood changing as the evening progresses. Luke turns up with an unwelcome friend and Carl finally sees the inside of the Worsley’s house.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Daniel Cullen

A chat with Darren and a chance encounter convince Ally she needs more friends, so she decides to reunite her antenatal class. Ally tells Luke and Ava this was a friendship group with no arseholes. But 17 years is a long time.

Director: Ollie Parsons

Writer: Rebecca Callard

As Paul and Ally try to help Luke, struggling with being both a dad and a student, they find they have very different ideas about the best way forward. Jackie’s condition is becoming more noticeable, and Jim is determined to help out.

Director: Ollie Parsons

Writer: Simon Blackwell

Jackie’s health is continuing to worsen. Paul helps out a distressed Luke but finds himself in more conflict with Ally. At Baby Jay’s naming party, Ava declares her love, and Paul makes an offer that will take him and Ally back in time.

Director: Ollie Parsons

Writer: Simon Blackwell

As Jim and Jackie's golden wedding anniversary party is plunged into darkness by a power outage, the growing tensions between Paul and Luke reach an explosive and terrifying climax.

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Jim and Jackie are both struggling under their new circumstances. Luke has to choose between Jacob and Ruby. At Alex's 65th birthday party, Ally meets someone who makes her see Paul in a new light.

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Luke’s condition worsens and he is admitted to a specialist pediatric unit. As Paul, Ally and their parents desperately wait for news, stress and fear cause cracks to form within the family.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Simon Blackwell, Chris Addison

A sudden death impacts the older generation of the Worsley family. Ava struggles to keep a profound secret from Paul. Ally finds it difficult to hide her true feelings from Luke.

Director: Ben Palmer

Writer: Simon Blackwell, Chris Addison, Rebecca Callard

Paul and Ally are thrilled that Sprout the family gerbil has finally died, but explaining loss to Luke and Ava is more difficult than they thought as grief manifests itself in mysterious ways and throws the family off course.

Director: Ben Palmer

Writer: Chris Addison, Oriane Messina, Fay Rusling

Family life is thrown off kilter as Ally spends her weekdays in Berlin and weekends in London. Paul, Luke and Ava try to muddle through without her, but the children aren’t sleeping again and it takes its toll on Paul.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Simon Blackwell, Chris Addison

The kids are growing up fast – Ava is now 10 and Luke is about to turn 13. With their burgeoning independence comes the question of whether Paul and Ally’s parenting style still works. Clue: no.

Director: Ben Palmer

Writer: Simon Blackwell, Chris Addison

On the day of Leah and Alex's wedding, Paul and Ally find they have only a few hours to deal with a family crisis, leading Paul to make the hardest decision of his life.

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It’s five years since we last saw the Worsleys, with Paul and Ally on the verge of splitting, and Jim and Jackie in turmoil. Things are no less dramatic now as Luke and girlfriend Maya drop a bombshell at Christmas dinner that will change everyone’s lives forever.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Simon Blackwell

The reality of Luke’s announcement hits, and Paul and Ally worry about the decision he and Maya have made and whether they should support them. As a New Year starts, the Worsley family gather together with Maya’s family, united in their love and worry.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Simon Blackwell

Paul and Ally find themselves parenting Jim and Jackie as well as a conflicted Luke. Ava and Holly get closer and Ava decides to take a risk, while Paul meets an old friend and realizes that he might, after all, be happy.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Simon Blackwell

Paul and Ally are disappointed that their planned family holiday has become one for just the two of them, but they make new friends. Luke is preparing for his new life with Maya and makes a massive decision. What follows leaves them both terrified.

Director: Ollie Parsons

Writer: Taylor Glenn

Paul fears his culturally fragmented family has lost a vital connection. Gentrification impacts Jim and Jackie as the last of their old neighbours move out and more young professionals move in.

Director: Ben Palmer

Writer: Simon Blackwell, Chris Addison, Jamie Brittain

As he and Ally continue to feel distant, Paul rekindles an old friendship, but at a cost to Ava. Luke surprises everyone by getting a best friend. Jim and Jackie are forced to move.

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A devastated Paul is forced by his new boss to make funding cuts. After Ally's attempt to impress Ava ends in humiliation, she tells Paul some home truths, just as Jackie realizes a terrible truth about a dying friend.

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Ally is appalled that she’s about to turn 50 and bans the family from ever mentioning that number. Paul tries to help Luke, who is overwhelmed by learning to drive and becoming a dad, while Ava meets a charismatic girl called Holly.

Director: Chris Addison

Writer: Gabby Best, Rose Heiney

Luke’s anxiety is becoming a problem at home and school. Would a medical diagnosis make his life easier or harder? Ally faces further tension after her mother Leah is robbed.

Director: Ben Palmer

Writer: Chris Addison, Oriane Messina, Fay Rusling

As Ally contemplates her pregnancy, a new piece of information blows her world apart. A worried Ava tries to help her mum while Luke regrets lying.

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