Lovejoy backdrop
Comedy•Drama•Mystery

The Best Episodes of Lovejoy

Every episode of Lovejoy ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Lovejoy!

Binge this in 2d 15h•Peaking at 7.3/10

The adventures of the eponymous Lovejoy, a likeable but roguish antiques dealer based in East Anglia. Within the trade, he has a reputation as a “divvie”, a person with an almost supernatural powers for recognising

Airs on
BBC One
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons6

All123456

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 1 - The Firefly Cage
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #1 - The Firefly Cage

    S1:E1

    Having hired Eric Catchpole as an apprentice, Lovejoy sets out to unravel the meaning of a Japanese firefly cage.As Lovejoy and Eric are in hot pursuit (on Eric's motorbike) of a lovely lady with something they want, they hit a pool of water in the road and give a drenching to Jane (Lady Felsham), who is busy unveiling a plaque. When, later, Lovejoy rings the doorbell at Felsham Hall, complex chemistry begins, and Jane is soon showing Lovejoy around her attic...

    Director:David Reynolds
    Writer:Ian La Frenais

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 9 - Raise the Hispanic
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Raise the Hispanic

    S2:E9

    Amanda Peagram, a local landowner's daughter, is engaged to Roger Hall, and Lovejoy (on the instructions of Amanda's father) is furnishing a house with antiques for the couple. Unhappily, Amanda is not impressed, while Roger continues to play the field. At the wedding, Lovejoy overhears a row between Roger and Amanda's father and later finds Roger's body hidden in a suit of armour... but the body vanishes and nobody believes him. After the wedding, Roger is treated as a missing person. Lovejoy insists Roger is dead, but he can't produce the body - so he decides to investigate the murder and solve the mystery.

    Director:Bill Hays
    Writer:Douglas Watkinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Lovejoy Season 5 Episode 14 - The Lost Colony
    2.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - The Lost Colony

    S5:E14

    Lovejoy meets distant cousins from America, who are visiting England. As well as a female ghost, old Lord Wakering has treasures which once belonged to Sir Walter Raleigh, and both Lovejoy and Mary-John Lovejoy, his American cousin, want them. Some of Lord Wakering's things are stolen, and Lovejoy travels in hot pursuit to the Carolinas, where he is not made welcome. Charlotte has to fly over to get him out of trouble.

    Director:Geoffrey Sax
    Writers:Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 4 - Friends, Romans and Enemies
    1.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - Friends, Romans and Enemies

    S1:E4

    A robbery at the local museum seems to be connected with the death of a local forger, and Lovejoy goes on the trail of a hoard of Roman coins in the Isle of Man. Two Americans are also after the coins.

    Director:Ken Hannam
    Writer:Ian La Frenais

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 10 - Death and Venice (2)
    1.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Death and Venice (2)

    S1:E10

    In Venice, Lovejoy gets a job working for Caterina and Lavinia, with a view to busting their scam, and meets a Scottish forger called 'Lucky' Luciano. Lovejoy and Lucky together unravel the mystery of the Island of Rats.

    Director:Baz Taylor
    Writer:Ian La Frenais

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 2 - The Axeman Cometh
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - The Axeman Cometh

    S1:E2

    Lovejoy buys a Welsh dresser at Charlie Gimbert's auction, and hidden inside it he finds a rich Arab head-dress, festooned with gold ducats. Catesby, recently out of prison and the son of the dead man whose property was being sold at Gimbert's, says he was promised the dresser. Lovejoy sells it back to him, but without the head-dress. Catesby is soon looking for Lovejoy armed with an axe. He is in good company, as one of Her Majesty's Inland Revenue officers is also after Lovejoy.

    Director:Roger Tucker
    Writer:Terry Hodgkinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Lovejoy

    READ
  7. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 3 - The Sting
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - The Sting

    S1:E3

    Lovejoy sets out to help a young woman to trace a pair of Meissen figures which she sold to raise cash for a drug habit. When he comes across evidence of a double-cross by Charlie Gimbert, he decides to get even.

    Director:Baz Taylor
    Writer:Ian La Frenais

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 5 - The Judas Pair
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - The Judas Pair

    S1:E5

    The wife and brother of a man killed with a fabulous pair of Regency duelling pistols engage Lovejoy to find them and thus bring about the downfall of the murderer. In the process, Lovejoy puts Jane's life at risk and challenges Dr La Grange to a duel.

    Director:Baz Taylor
    Writer:Ian La Frenais

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 6 - To Sleep No More
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - To Sleep No More

    S1:E6

    Sam Wendell, an old forger, dies of a heart attack while being pursued by a mysterious priest, leaving behind one of his small forgeries. Sam had told his wife it was the key to a fortune, and the priest soon tries to break into the Wendell house. Lovejoy aims to unravel the puzzle, by way of helping Sam's widow (who's left with very little) to recover anything of value. Along the way, Lovejoy dresses up as a priest.

    Director:Ken Hannam
    Writer:David G.B. Brown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 7 - The Real Thing
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - The Real Thing

    S1:E7

    Needing a break from Charlie, Lovejoy takes a job for a few days at a new antiques market in Norwich owned by a client of Jane's. He soon realizes the boss is a con-man and sets out to expose him. Along the way, he also tries to trap a second crook who is selling fake paintings.

    Director:Roger Tucker
    Writer:Francis Megahy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 8 - The March of Time
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - The March of Time

    S1:E8

    Lovejoy finds a bundle of old love letters hidden in the back of an antique clock. He quickly falls for the owner, but are the letters genuine? Under the name of 'Captain Lovejoy', he sets out to find the answer.

    Director:Ken Hannam
    Writer:Murray Smith

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Lovejoy Season 1 Episode 9 - Death and Venice (1)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Death and Venice (1)

    S1:E9

    Lovejoy travels to Venice to investigate the murder of a friend. The dead friend had bought a painting Lovejoy believed was a fake. In Venice, he is drawn into an ambitious art swindle, and identical twins Caterina and Lavinia are behind the scam.

    Director:Baz Taylor
    Writer:Ian La Frenais

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 1 - Just Desserts
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Just Desserts

    S2:E1

    At the beginning of series 2, Lovejoy has just come out of prison after serving a sentence for theft. He believes he was set up and returns to Suffolk hoping to find the villain and get even.

    Director:Don Leaver
    Writers:Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 2 - The Italian Venus
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - The Italian Venus

    S2:E2

    A mean landowner is reluctant to share an inheritance with his hard-up brother, who is a friend of Jane's. Then Lovejoy intervenes, as a favour to Jane, with a cunning plan which depends on a fake statue.

    Director:John Woods
    Writer:T.R. Bowen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 3 - Bin Diving
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Bin Diving

    S2:E3

    Lovejoy values the house contents of an elderly widow, an old friend of Jane's, who is burgled soon afterwards. Finding he is the local police's prime suspect, Lovejoy decides to work out for himself (with the help of Brian Nunn, a remarkable bin man) who was behind the burglary. Matters are complicated by Eric's 'bin diving' habit.

    Director:Baz Taylor
    Writer:Terry Hodgkinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 4 - Montezuma's Revenge
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Montezuma's Revenge

    S2:E4

    The manager of a heavy rock band wants to sell an ancient pre-Columbian solid gold statue, and it brings Inca black magic into East Anglia - including two murders. Lovejoy takes on the task of solving the mystery.

    Director:William Brayne
    Writer:Alan Clews

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 5 - Who Dares, Sings
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Who Dares, Sings

    S2:E5

    Lovejoy and Jane have the job of fitting out a smart new restaurant being opened by Major Linden Walker, an old army friend of Tinker's. With the help of a former prison officer (one he knew on the inside) Lovejoy delivers the goods, only to find he has been gulled. Linden and Tinker's cabaret act Crime and Punishment makes its first and last appearance.

    Director:John Woods
    Writer:Douglas Watkinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 6 - One Born Every Minute
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - One Born Every Minute

    S2:E6

    Ashley Wilkes travels around East Anglia painting charming pictures of country cottages and seducing their female inhabitants. An army officer hires Lovejoy to find Wilkes, on the pretext of having a commission for him, but Lovejoy smells a rat. When he finally catches up with the elusive painter, it appears that Wilkes has a terrible secret.

    Director:Don Leaver
    Writer:Roger Marshall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 7 - National Wealth
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - National Wealth

    S2:E7

    Tinker is thrilled when Madeline Gilbert, a retired film star, sends for the Lovejoy team, as he has an old crush on her. Madeline wants to sell some of her antiques and gives Lovejoy the job of arranging an auction, but before the big day can arrive there is a robbery at the house - one bearing a striking resemblance to a number of other country house raids in England and France. An international gang seems to be at work.

    Director:William Brayne
    Writer:Geoff Lowe

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 8 - Sugar and Spice
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Sugar and Spice

    S2:E8

    Lovejoy is in hot water for not paying the school fees of his teenage daughter, Vicky. Meanwhile (and much to Eric's disgust) another schoolgirl asks the firm to sell some erotic drawings for her. When Lovejoy sees the same girl being threatened by a man at the school, he decides there's more to the story than meets the eye. He also manages to vex Susan, his former wife, as they try to cope with their daughter's problems.

    Director:Baz Taylor
    Writers:Steve Coombes, Dave Robinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 10 - Lily's Pearls
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Lily's Pearls

    S2:E10

    Jane's husband, Alexander, has a new business partner called Joe Gruder, but Lovejoy is suspicious of him. Jane gets a call from Lily Gruder, Joe's wife, who has a problem with some pearls and a pawnbroker, and Lovejoy decides to look into Joe's affairs. Mr Gruder does not come up smelling of roses.

    Director:Bill Hays
    Writer:Roger Marshall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 11 - Riding in Rollers
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Riding in Rollers

    S2:E11

    Dealer Harry Catapodis has sold some fakes to Cassandra Lynch, a beautiful American widow Lovejoy knows. Caught out, Harry offers to buy the things back from Cassandra, but he admits he will then sell them on to someone else. With a Japanese business man and others, Lovejoy aims to get back at Harry - and to make some money and seduce Cassandra at the same time.

    Director:Francis Megahy
    Writer:Terry Hodgkinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Lovejoy Season 2 Episode 12 - The Black Virgin of Vladimir
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - The Black Virgin of Vladimir

    S2:E12

    Dealer Harry Catapodis has sold some fakes to Cassandra Lynch, a beautiful American widow Lovejoy knows. Caught out, Harry offers to buy the things back from Cassandra, but he admits he will then sell them on to someone else. With a Japanese business man and others, Lovejoy aims to get back at Harry - and to make some money and seduce Cassandra at the same time.

    Director:Francis Megahy
    Writer:Terry Hodgkinson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Lovejoy Season 3 Episode 1 - Friends in High Places
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Friends in High Places

    S3:E1

    As the third series begins, Lovejoy returns to Felsham after a long break in Spain, where he was trying (without marked success) to learn to paint. He quickly seeks out Tinker (who has joined a monastery), Jane, who has a new look, and Eric, now working as a security guard. Victoria Cavero, an old friend of Jane's, comes to stay, and Lovejoy loses no time in falling for her. Victoria wants to sell a South American gold ring, and the ring sets in motion strange events for Lovejoy and Jane, including safecracking, kidnapping, polo and betrayal.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Lovejoy Season 3 Episode 2 - Out To Lunch
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Out To Lunch

    S3:E2

    Lovejoy is spending more and more time with Victoria, not so much on his business. Together with Jane and Alexander, he and Victoria go away for the weekend at a friend's cottage. Meanwhile, Lovejoy buys some drawings for a song and sells them to an art gallery for a good profit. He is shaken when the pictures are denounced as fakes - even the artist says they are not his, but Lovejoy is sure they are. What is going on?

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Roger Marshall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"The Firefly Cage" is the best rated episode of "Lovejoy". It scored 7.3/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by David Reynolds and written by Ian La Frenais, it aired on 1/10/1986. This episode scored 1.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Raise the Hispanic".