8.3/1059 votes#1 - First Impressions
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/19/2003
Dr. David Cheriton arrives at St. Aidan's Royal Free Hospital in Elsinby, newly qualified and keen to impress at his job interview - only to discover they aren't even expecting him. Meanwhile, Dr. Jill Weatherill's professional competence is called into question during a home visit, and hospital porter Ken Hopkirk's efforts to put up a television aerial end in disaster.
Director: Paul Walker
Writer: John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch
- 8.2/1034 votes
#2 - Second Time Around
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/26/2003
A romantic escapade goes horribly wrong when a young couple are involved in a motorbike accident, and the tragic events of the night leave the staff of St Aiden's struggling to heal more than just a broken heart. Dr. Ormerod grows suspicious when one of his patients is uneasy about returning home, but an investigation by Matron soon reveals the reasons for his reluctance. Meanwhile, Ken and Alun face trouble when a plague of rodents looks set to close down the hospital - but is local rogue Claude Greengrass really the best person to ask for advice?
Director: Terry McDonough
Writer: Deborah Cook
- 7.4/1030 votes
#3 - Coffin Fit
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2/2/2003
Claude Greengrass causes a kerfuffle with a coffin containing the remains of his deceased sister and a mysterious phone call only serves to raise suspicions. Jill Weatherill has trouble with a patient who refuses to accept her condition, while Dr. Cheriton panics when he arrives at the scene of an accident bereft of vital medical equipment.
Director: Paul Walker
Writer: Mark Holloway
- 8.1/1030 votes
#4 - Sister of Mercy
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/9/2003
Sister Bridget discovers a baby on the steps of the hospital. PC Bellamy and Dr. Alway link it to a girls disappearance for a couple of days. Dr. Alway sets out to find the girl and informs her shocked parents that their daughter has had a baby.
Director: Keith Boak
Writer: Jane Hollowood
- 8.4/1030 votes
#5 - Immediate Care
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/16/2003
Dr. Cheriton has the unenviable task of informing a patient she has little time to live, and the situation soon prompts the wedding of the year. Arriving at the scene of an accident at the railway station, Dr. Ormerod is forced to make a drastic decision, but an oncoming train signals disaster. Gambling fever grips the hospital when a champion jockey is admitted and, as always, Greengrass is in the thick of the furore.
Director: Keith Boak
Writer: Deborah Cook
- 8.4/1026 votes
#6 - Kiss and Tell
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/23/2003
The cause of a schoolboy's illness is found too close to home, while a bit of teamwork brings Ormerod and Weatherill closer than they expect. Cheriton's flatwarming party goes with a bang, and Ventress spots an impostor on the ward.
Director: Tim Dowd
Writer: Neil McKay
- 8.0/1026 votes
#7 - Crash
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 3/2/2003
A serious coach crash throws the Royal into chaos, and for one member of the staff, the incident proves exceptionally traumatic. Cheriton has a bombshell for Nurse Taylor.
Director: Tim Dowd
Writer: Mark Holloway
The Best Episodes of The Royal Season 1
Every episode of The Royal Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Royal Season 1!
Follows the staff and patients of a Yorkshire cottage hospital in the 60s, embroiled in tangled love lives and bitter power struggles.
Genre:Drama
Network:ITV1
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"First Impressions" is the best rated episode of "The Royal" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 59 votes. Directed by Paul Walker and written by John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch, it aired on 1/19/2003. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Second Time Around".