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The Best Episodes of Yes Minister Season 1

Every episode of Yes Minister Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Yes Minister Season 1!

Binge this in 3h 30m•Peaking at 8.8/10

Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business.

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BBC Two
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 4 - Big Brother
    8.8/10(514 votes)

    S1:E4

    When the Government is planning to introduce a national database, Jim wants to bring in safe guards, but Sir Humphrey stalls until with some help from the opposition, Jim gets his way.

    Director:Sydney Lotterby
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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  2. Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 5 - The Writing on the Wall
    8.3/10(457 votes)

    S1:E5

    A rumour starts that Jim’s department is about to be axed. So with help from Sir Humphrey, they try and defeat the Prime Minister’s plans.

    Director:Sydney Lotterby
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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  3. Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 6 - The Right to Know
    8.2/10(440 votes)

    S1:E6

    Jim faces rebellion at home and in the office over the removal of protected status from a badger habitat, while he tries to circumvent Sir Humphrey’s efforts to keep him ignorant of things.

    Director:Sydney Lotterby
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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  4. Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 2 - The Official Visit
    8.1/10(525 votes)

    S1:E2

    When the leader of an African country is killed in a coup, his successor, who is an old friend of Jim’s, comes in his place. They negotiate a £50 million deal to help buy oil exploration equipment.

    Director:Sydney Lotterby
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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  5. Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 3 - The Economy Drive
    8.0/10(485 votes)

    S1:E3

    Jim Hacker is determined to reduce the Civil Service, but he is frustrated by Sir Humphrey, and the only numbers he can alter are the numbers of tea ladies.

    Director:Sydney Lotterby
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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  6. Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 1 - Open Government
    7.9/10(569 votes)

    S1:E1

    Jim Hacker retains his seat in the election and is given a cabinet post in the new government He meets the permanent secretary for his department Sir Humphrey Appleby but Jim decides to change the way things are done in the civil service so Sir Humphrey sets out to stop him

    Director:Stuart Allen
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Yes Minister

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  7. Yes Minister Season 1 Episode 7 - Jobs for the Boys
    7.9/10(429 votes)

    S1:E7

    Jim goes on radio to support the Solihull project a Government, union and private enterprise building scheme, that he has inherited from the last administration, but unknown to him the project is close to bankruptcy, Sir Humphrey hopes to save the deal by offering a quango to the director of the bank involved

    Director:Sydney Lotterby
    Writers:Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Big Brother" is the best rated episode of "Yes Minister" season 1. It scored 8.8/10 based on 514 votes. Directed by Sydney Lotterby and written by Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay, it aired on 3/17/1980. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "The Writing on the Wall".