8.4/10385 votes#1 - The Compassionate Society
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 2/23/1981
When Jim learns that a brand new hospital still has no medical staff, but hundreds of civil servants working there, he proposes that half of the civil servants be sacked and use the money saved to open wards with medical staff.
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
8.3/10347 votes#2 - Doing the Honours
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 3/2/1981
When Jim learns that he can block civil servant’s honours, he blackmails them into cutting their budgets, but when he hears that he might be in line for an honorary degree, he has to back down.
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
8.0/10341 votes#3 - The Death List
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 3/9/1981
When Jim learns that when in opposition he was bugged by the secret service, he decides to bring in legislation to kerb the bugging, only to find out that he is on the death list of a group of terrorist’s, and the best way to find them, is by bugging phone lines
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
8.2/10332 votes#4 - The Greasy Pole
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 3/16/1981
Jim has the chance of creating jobs, and saving a chemical company, when they are offered the chance to manufacture a highly dangerous chemical, but when the news gets out that it might be too dangerous, he has to back down.
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
8.2/10334 votes#5 - The Devil You Know
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 3/23/1981
When Jim is betrayed by a Cabinet colleague over his plans to bring in jobs for British workers, he thinks about leaving Westminster and becoming a European Commissioner, But when Sir Humphrey learns who his replacement will be, he tries to change Jim’s mind.
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
8.0/10333 votes#6 - The Quality of Life
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 3/30/1981
Sir Humphrey uses Jim’s promise to keep a popular city farm project open to get special permission for an additional nine floors on a proposed skyscraper.
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
8.7/10344 votes#7 - A Question of Loyalty
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 4/6/1981
Jim and Sir Humphrey pass the buck to protect each other when they appear before a select committee investigating charges of waste in Hacker’s ministry, until Jim’s higher loyalties are called upon.
Director: Peter Whitmore
Writer: Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
The Best Episodes of Yes Minister Season 2
Every episode of Yes Minister Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Yes Minister Season 2!
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...
Genres:ComedyWar & Politics
Network:BBC Two
Season 2 Ratings Summary
"The Compassionate Society" is the best rated episode of "Yes Minister" season 2. It scored 8.4/10 based on 385 votes. Directed by Peter Whitmore and written by Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay, it aired on 2/23/1981. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Doing the Honours".