7.7/1024 votesLoading...#1 - Christmas with the Parkinsons
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 12/22/1979
The thought of cooking for Christmas frightens Ria though she is cheered to meet Leonard again,though they have a row. Back home this preys on her mind and she burns the pizza and freaks out at the thought of her wasted opportunities - though the boys try to listen. On Christmas Eve Leonard rings and they meet in the park to wish each other a happy Christmas. Christmas Day begins well with offers of help from the family but Ria feels wistful when she hears the musical Christmas card that Leonard has sent anonymously.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/1013 votesLoading...- 7.5/1013 votesLoading...
#3 - Cleaning Windows
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 9/28/1983
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.3/1012 votesLoading...
#4 - Problems, Problems
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 9/30/1980
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.3/1013 votesLoading...
#5 - Back from New York
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 9/7/1983
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1014 votesLoading...#6 - Keeping Fit
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 11/26/1979
On her way home from her Keep Fit class Ria is offered a lift by Thomas and Leonard,the latter being very poorly so Ria goes home to make a Get Well Soon card for him but has qualms about delivering it. Eventually she visits and finds he has pleurisy. Back home she decides to try and arrange a romantic evening in front of the fire with Ben.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.2/1013 votesLoading...
#7 - Ruby's Crisis
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/16/1980
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.2/1014 votesLoading...
- 7.1/1013 votesLoading...
#9 - Gimme Shelter
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 11/14/1980
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1012 votesLoading...
#10 - Happy Birthday, Ria
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/7/1980
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1012 votesLoading...
6.9/1037 votesLoading...#12 - When Ria Met Leonard
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/10/1978
Adam has crashed his car and Ben and Russell have not spoken to each other in almost a year. In a cafe she meets charming businessman Leonard Dutton, who makes her feel good about herself. After a second,accidental meeting he suggests they go back to the cafe again next day. Ria arrives but feels guilty and leaves before Leonard turns up.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.9/1023 votesLoading...#13 - Leaving
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 10/26/1979
Adam's girlfriend Annie declares that he is boring and leaves him,causing him to be very depressed. Ria meets Leonard jogging in a park and he tells her that the best way to vent frustration is to shout at a tree. Adam leaves home and Ria sees Leonard go into a restaurant with Annie. Is he the older man for whom she dumped Adam? When Adam comes home having crashed his car Ria goes out - to shout at a tree.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.9/1013 votesLoading...
#14 - Pot
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 9/21/1983
No description available
Director: Sydney Lotterby
Writer: Carla Lane
6.8/1018 votesLoading...#15 - Worrying
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 11/12/1979
After getting chest pains Ben gets it into his head that he is having a heart attack and worries Ria by talking about what will happen after he's gone. However the doctor tells him that basically he just needs to adopt a healthier life-style. Ria is then surprised to find both Leonard AND Ben jogging in the park.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/1014 votesLoading...#16 - Lunch with Leonard
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 12/10/1979
Leonard calls and suggests he meet Ria at the cafe where they first met. Here he tells her that he hopes to get back with his wife so this is their last day together. Despite her qualms over having an affair,Ria is still knocked sideways by the news. In the evening Ben takes her out for a meal but she refuses to go into the cafe where she met Leonard and they go to one down the road instead.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/1013 votesLoading...
- 6.8/1012 votesLoading...
#18 - Breaking Up
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 10/12/1983
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1029 votesLoading...#19 - Thinking About a Job
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/24/1978
Ria feels stifled at home and would like to get a job but Ben is not supportive. He got angry when he discovered the boys busking. Leonard is arrested for speeding,having given Ria a lift when her car broke down. He loses his licence and Ria applies to be his driver but the job goes to the discreet and worldly Thomas.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1017 votesLoading...#20 - An Attractive Visitor
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 12/3/1979
Susanna, a woman the Parkinsons met on holiday,comes to stay and Ria collects her at the station. On the way home Ria goes into a shop and Leonard,seeing the car,comes over. He meets Susanna. Back home all the menfolk dance attendance on Susanna,who loves the attention. Ria hates her. Leonard phones and suggests he takes Ria for a weekend in Birmingham but she declines,suggesting he takes Susanna instead - which he does.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.6/1030 votesLoading...#21 - Breaking the Silence
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/17/1978
One reason that makes Ria feel less than good about herself is that she is a bad cook. She has to use emotional blackmail to get the family to eat her apple sponge but her latest culinary disaster at least gets Ben and Russell speaking to each other. She meets Leonard again but is not keen to see him on a regular basis.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.6/1029 votesLoading...#22 - How About Lunch?
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 12/1/1978
Leonard leaves a note on the windscreen of Ria's car,suggesting they have lunch together. Unfortunately the car is being used by her sons,who are puzzled by the note and it never reaches her. Leonard tries again to contact Ria but without success. Ria finally confronts Ben and accuses him of not being spontaneous,so he drags her off to go camping in a tent.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.6/1026 votesLoading...#23 - He'll Have to Go
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/15/1978
Adam has had a poodle perm and has taken to wearing a crash helmet around the house so that Ben does not find out. However Ben has been told by a male patient that,in order to keep a wife on her toes,he should be unpredictable,so he stays out until midnight,annoying Ria. Ria goes to chat with Leonard,admitting that she wishes that her life was ordered. She sees him as one of its complications and wonders if he'll 'have to go'.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.5/1029 votesLoading...#24 - The Lovers
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/8/1978
Russell feels very strongly that a sculpture The Lovers,being exhibited locally,should not be sold to an American millionaire. After another row with Leonard,Ria joins Russell at the gallery where they chain themselves to the statue in protest,attracting the press. Whilst Ben is annoyed that the papers got his age wrong Ria gets a call from Leonard to say he has bought The Lovers to ensure it stays in England.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.5/1016 votesLoading...
#25 - A Dog's Life
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 11/19/1979
After the boys have annoyed new neighbour Mr. Conrad, Ria goes to church to rail at God about her static life and finds Mrs. Conrad is there. After almost running over a dog,Ria goes to see the doctor,who tells her to take things easy as she has nervous exhaustion. Mrs. Conrad is at the surgery too and Ria accuses her of spying on her but Mrs. Conrad explains that both visits were down to her seeking comfort for her inability to bear children.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Butterflies
Every episode of Butterflies ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Butterflies!
Ria Parkinson is a bored housewife and mother. She spends her time daydreaming, and meets regularly with wealthy businessman Leonard to relieve the monotony. Husband...
Genre:Comedy
Network:BBC Two
Best Episodes Summary
"Christmas with the Parkinsons" is the best rated episode of "Butterflies". It scored 7.7/10 based on 24 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 12/22/1979. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Amanda".