The Best Episodes of Play for Today Season 4

Mrs Palfrey tries hard to be accepted by the other residents at the Claremont. But then she meets Ludo and a real friendship begins.

Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Writer: N/A

They are all 'in' for life so the pleasures are sparse, and strictly of their own making. Their really big event is the Christmas pantomime, only this year they have lost their star. Mother Bear has escaped. Still, there is some consolation. The new arrival looks a likely Goldilocks. 'There's one or two who'll be after him,' says Woodbine - and he knows all their weaknesses.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

An amateur operatic society is preparing a Gilbert and Sullivan production, and someone new is needed for the role of Jack Point - but who will break this to the veteran who's always done it?

Director: Michael Apted

Writer: N/A

Dean has a rare talent. He can be made happy. He exudes happiness and confidence like a rare blossom. Both Sarah in the past, and Julia now, could do this for him. But where are they now that he is alone in Battersea Park with two suitcases and no memory?

Director: Robert Knights

Writer: N/A

An early retirement and a seaside bungalow-for Arthur and Marion it's not a chance to miss, especially since their son is buying the bungalow. Arthur's full of plans - GCE, garden, beach-not to mention his own "bit of an interesting diversion." But after a year the delight is beginning to tarnish.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Why does Sylvia Payne , with her successful husband and luxurious home, get in such a flap about her daughter's school friend coming to visit?

Director: Peter Cregeen

Writer: N/A

Bernie gets a temporary job as an electrician during a factory's annual minimal workforce period. But what secrets is Bernie hiding, and is he really all he claims?

Director: John Mackenzie

Writer: N/A

After ten years of trying, Lavinia, and a large team of medics, finally manage to produce a live baby. She should now be able to start living her dream, but what happens next is not at all the paradise she has been looking forward to.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Family Christmas, presents, drink, Christmas Eve at the club, Boxing Day football - but, among the celebrations, some hard home-truths.

Director: Claude Whatham

Writer: N/A

A young farmgirl begins a romance with an artist

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

An elderly politician looks back over his career while being interviewed by a TV producer.

Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Writer: Trevor Griffiths

A pet shop owner forsakes his religious beliefs when his daughter gets cancer

Director: Alan Bridges

Writer: Dennis Potter

Sauna baths are supposed to relax you, but it rather depends who you meet in there.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A group of Deptford youngsters hang about by the River Thames on a hot day. When they and some nearby dockers spot a valuable copper boiler floating in the river the two rival factions try to get at it first. The youngsters succeed, but on their way to the totter's yard they are waylaid by the adults, who take the copper off them.

Director: Michael Tuchner

Writer: N/A

Fisher is good at his job but in new circumstances that isn't enough: he has to face the risks of competition for something bigger.

Director: Anthony Page

Writer: N/A

Summer 1955, and pastor's son Stephen must come to terms with his own identity amid societal pressure, religious guilt and his own imaginings. Penda's Fen is a British television play which was written by David Rudkin and directed by Alan Clarke. Commissioned by BBC producer David Rose, it was transmitted as part of the corporation's Play for Today series.

Director: Alan Clarke

Writer: David Rudkin

At the climax of the School Sports something went drastically wrong. Now, Wallace Pidgeon faces the contradictory demands of the bird-watching headmaster, his pupils, his pork-magnate father-in-law and his "child bride."

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Further adventures of three Derbyshire miners

Director: Michael Simpson

Writer: N/A

The exploitation of the Scottish land and its people from the 18th century to the present

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A young man persuades a woman that he is her son.

Director: N/A

Writer: Dennis Potter

On holiday, with his family, nothing to do and his wife ill, Sasha is only too pleased to meet again the girl he loved at 17.

Director: Mike Newell

Writer: N/A

The friendship of two residents of a retirement home ends up in marriage

Director: Alan Clarke

Writer: N/A