7.6/10234 votes#1 - Part 1
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/5/1995
Approaching his 65th birthday, Prime Minister Frances Urquhart begins to see the end of his career. Not that he has the intention of resigning anytime soon. He does however hope to establish a legacy, one for the history books and one to provide his pension. For the latter, his wife Elizabeth introduces him to Mr. Nures, a Turkish-Cypriot businessman who will contribute handsomely to the Urquhart Trust if the upcoming boundary commission report provides a ruling favorable to Turkish-occupied Cyprus. As for the history books, he's decided to take credit for the upcoming peace deal in Cyprus, much to the consternation of the Foreign Secretary, Tom Makepeace. Still haunted by what happened to Mattie Storin, he is also haunted by events when he was in Cyprus as an army officer in the 1950s. An encounter on the motorway lands him in hospital.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/10230 votes#2 - Part 2
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/12/1995
Having sacked his Parliamentary Private Secretary, Urquhart casts about for a replacement. At the suggestion of Geoffrey Booza Pitt he gives serious consideration to backbench MP Claire Carlsen, despite the fact that she is carrying on an affair with Foreign Secretary Tom Makepeace. Claire is clearly playing both sides of the fence to ensure her own place in the hierarchy, regardless of what the future may hold. Urquhart decides the time has come to shake things up and forces Makepeace to resign, something his wife Elizabeth isn't sure is in their best interest. He also continues working on his legacies, dropping a good word in the ear of the British judge on the Cyprus boundary panel. Meanwhile, a young Greek-Cypriot woman, Maria Passolides, seeks Urquhart's assistance in solving the death of two uncles who were killed in Cyprus in the 1950s.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/10222 votes#3 - Part 3
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/19/1995
Having resigned as Foreign Secretary, Tom Makepeace launches a blistering attack in the House of Commons directed not only at the government in general but at the Prime Minister in particular. He then moves across the aisle to sit on the opposition benches. For his part, Francis Urquhart takes it all in stride quite sure of his position and his ability to retain the leadership of the party. As chance would have it, Cypriot nationalists attack the British High Commission in Cyprus and kidnap the High Commissioner thus allowing Urquhart to question the wisdom of Makepeace's constant challenges on the Cypriot peace deal. Makepeace for his part takes up the cause of identifying the killer of Maria Passolides' uncles.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/10232 votes#4 - Part 4
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/26/1995
Not having secured enough votes on the first ballot to retain the party leadership, Francis Urquhart plots to not only keep him in place as Prime Minister but to win the next general election. He is desperate to surpass Margaret Thatcher's length of service as PM and decides that to emulate her is likely the best approach: starting a war in Cyprus, his own little Falklands, as he describes it to his wife. It all goes very badly however and the PM's hold on power begins to slip. Claire Coulsen learns that there is a cost to playing both sides in any contest. In the end, it's left to Elizabeth Urqhart to come up with a solution that will ensure the PM's legacy for all time.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Final Cut Season 1
Every episode of The Final Cut Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Final Cut Season 1!
Urquhart aims to secure his legacy on the international stage, but faces threats both from abroad and closer to home.
Genres:DramaComedyWar & Politics
Network:BBC One
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Part 1" is the best rated episode of "The Final Cut" season 1. It scored 7.6/10 based on 234 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 11/5/1995. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Part 2".