8.3/1045 votes#1 - Shattered Dreams
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/22/1981
SINGAPORE, 5 DECEMBER 1941: Due to lack of information from the Army and the media, most of the inhabitants of Singapore remain blissfully unaware of any danger in their lives. Then the Japanese land 400 miles north of the city and head south. Most of the women who will end up imprisoned are introduced: Marion Jefferson, Sister Ulrica, Christina Campbell, Nurses Kate Norris and Nellie Keene, Rose Millar, and Dr Beatrice Mason.
Director: Pennant Roberts
Writer: Paul Wheeler
8.8/1039 votes#2 - All Aboard
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/29/1981
SINGAPORE, 10 DECEMBER 1941: The aftermath of the Japanese bombing of Singapore causes the evacuation of many of the British civilians in Singapore. Marion, Christina, Kate, Nellie, Rose, Tom (Kate's boyfriend) and Bernard (Rose's boyfriend) are evacuated, but the ship is torpedoed. Surviving the wreck, the group is taken prisoner by the Japanese.
Director: Pennant Roberts
Writer: N/A
8.8/1037 votes#3 - Internment
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/5/1981
KAMPONG GETAH, FEBRUARY 1942: Joined by others, including Beatrice, the women are taken to their internment camp, where a contingent of Dutch internees join them, including Sister Ulrica. Everyone makes adjustments to their new way of life, and Marion is made leader of the British internees.
Director: Pennant Roberts
Writer: Jill Hyem
8.6/1035 votes#4 - What Would You Do For...
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/12/1981
Ulrica is made leader of the Dutch internees. The older women worry when the younger women are unexpectly removed from the camp, but it turns out they're being used for labor crews. Dorothy smuggles milk into the camp for her baby, but is caught, and everyone is punished
Director: Pennant Roberts
Writer: Anne Valery
8.5/1031 votes#5 - Malaria
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/19/1981
Some time having passed, social structure in the camp is breaking down, and more women are becoming sick. Some groups refuse to help other groups. Malaria makes its first appearance, and requests for quinine are denied. Marion organizes education and entertainment committees, and arranges for the women to rebuild one of the huts into a sickbay. Morale improves, at least until two Japanese secret policemen arrive at the camp.
Director: Pennant Roberts
Writer: Jill Hyem
8.6/1030 votes#6 - Rape
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/26/1981
Marion is questioned about British organization in Singapore prior to the fall of the city. The new sickbay is completed. Blanche and Dorothy become friendly with the guards in exchange for cigarettes and tea. Blanche, Dorothy and Rose are cornered by three guards; when all six are caught, the Japanese commander accuses the women of lying about the almost-rape. Dorothy agrees with the him, causing Blanche and Rose to be punished, until their story is corroborated by other sources.
Director: David Askey
Writer: Anne Valery
8.3/1029 votes#7 - Unnatural Friendship
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/3/1981
Sally, pregnant before her capture, is coming into her seventh month of pregnancy, and one of the nurses, Nellie, becomes very supportive of her. When the baby is stillborn, their friendship becomes closer, until they hear unwarranted rumors that their friendship is `unnatural'. Judith Bowen has another attack of malaria, making Blanche wonder about all of their eventual fates.
Director: David Askey
Writer: Jill Hyem
8.8/1031 votes#8 - Escape
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/10/1981
Just before Judith Bowen dies, Marion promises her that she'll take care of Debbie. Blanche becomes determined to escape from the camp. Debbie discovers Blanche's escape plans and barges her way into the escape attempt. Rose covers the escape until she realises that Debbie is also leaving; she tells Marion, who tells the commandant in hopes that he will be lenient with Debbie. Blanche and Debbie are re- captured.
Director: David Askey
Writer: Jill Hyem
9.0/1031 votes#9 - Five Hundred Hats
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/17/1981
Punishment details are imposed on the camp in general and the escapees in particular. The commandant yields to Marion's plea for mercy for Debbie, and agrees to be release Blanche if the internees will make 500 work hats in the next seven days. The Dutch, angry that they are again being punished for British misbehaviour, insist that both groups should now be treated seperately, until they discover that making hats will release Blanche. The commandant releases the internees from punishment details on the last day, allowing the women to meet the deadline.
Director: David Askey
Writer: Anne Valery
8.7/1032 votes#10 - Christmas
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/24/1981
Christmas is approaching. The work party reports seeing a group of men in the distance. When Marion asks the commandant for names of the men, the list causes both joy and disappointment. The women are told they will be going to another camp. The commandant reveals his long-time knowledge and support of the women's subterfuge's to steal paper from his office. The women leave the camp, uncertain of their future
Director: David Askey
Writer: Anne Valery
The Best Episodes of Tenko Season 1
Every episode of Tenko Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Tenko Season 1!
Based on real-life experiences, Tenko remains one of the most fondly remembered and acclaimed BBC dramas of the early 1980s. It follows a group of...
Genres:DramaWar & Politics
Network:BBC One
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Shattered Dreams" is the best rated episode of "Tenko" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 45 votes. Directed by Pennant Roberts and written by Paul Wheeler, it aired on 10/22/1981. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "All Aboard".