| Series One (1976)
Episode
One
We are introduced to the routine life of suburban
commuter Reginald Perrin, his workplace and his colleagues.
Two
The stresses of his mundane life start to surface.
He dictates rude, sarcastic letters, and fantasises more about his secretary.
Also features the safari park scene.
Three
Reggie finally plucks up courage to ask Joan over
for an affair while his wife is away, but he doesn't bargain on a visit
by his son, son-in-law and brother-in-law.
Four
With Elizabeth detained at her mother's, the scheduled
dinner party must be cancelled, but Reggie has other ideas. He cancels
the dinner, but not the party.
Five
Reggie gives a drunken speech at the Fruit Association's
seminar, threatens CJ at his fishing contest, and leaves his clothes on
the beach in an apparent suicide.
Six
Reggie, still very much alive, tours the countryside
under various guises, but realises he misses his wife Elizabeth and tries
to get his daughter to tell her of his fake suicide.
Seven
Now settled in the disguise of Martin Wellbourne,
Reggie attends his own memorial service. Elizabeth realises he's Reggie,
but doesn't let on, and they become engaged.
Series Two (1977)
Episode
One
Martin Wellbourne (Reggie) is employed at Sunshine
Desserts, but gets bored running his own memorial foundation. Joan and
Doc realise his identity and C.J. sacks him.
Two
With Reggie now out of work, Elizabeth takes employment
- at Sunshine Desserts. She keeps this from him, however, and Reggie suspects
her of having an affair with C.J.
Three
Reggie now works at a pig farm, until his boss
uncovers his past. Unemployed again, Jimmy tries to recruit him for his
secret army, but gives Reggie an idea of his own.
Four
Reggie opens a shop called Grot, selling rubbish.
To his amazement it is a success and soon has a chain of stores nationwide.
He recruits the old mob to work for him.
Five
Reggie once again almost has an affair with Joan,
and his commercial success continues to grow. But he realises he is back
in the routine he tried so hard to escape from before.
Six
Bored with being a success, Reggie tries to destroy
Grot by employing unsuitable people in unsuitable roles. Result - even
more success.
Seven
Destruction tactics continue - ridiculous TV interviews,
pretending to be gay, wearing dresses. But the beach calls once more. |
Series Three (1978/9)
Episode
One
Reggie has a new idea: a community for the middle-class
and middle-aged where people can learn to live in peace and harmony. He
recruits the old mob again.
Two
The staff of Perrins undergo a rigorous training
period. Finally, the day dawns when the first guest arrives - but he flees
in panic.
Three
Reggie decides to take a more dominant role, and
guests begin to arrive. Very soon, the community is a great success.
Four
Perrins now occupies five properties - all of them
bulging at the seams. The local council send round representatives. Within
a week, they too are guests.
Five
Success continues to grow, but wayward guests are
now present. A thief and a femme fatale threaten to ruin the existence
of the project.
Six
Problems hit Perrins. Guests leave in droves, the
staff are taken ill with dysentery, then local yobs decide to get their
own back on Perrins Peacekeeping Force.
Seven
The community is wound up, and the staff return
to normal lives. C.J. gets Reggie a job at his brother's firm Amalgamated
Aerosols, but again, the beach beckons.
Christmas Special (1982)
Christmas
Special
Reggie and Elizabeth are looking forward to a quiet
Christmas morning, but Joan, David, Tony, C.J., Doc, Jimmy and even a tramp
come to share in Reggie's reluctant goodwill.
The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin (1996)
Episode
One
Reggie has died, killed by a billboard advertising
the life insurance co. with which he was insured. He has left £1m
to each of his friends and family - on one condition.
Two
To net a share of Reggie's fortune, all benefactors
must prove to have done something absurd. Individual attempts fail, so
they decide to work collectively.
Three
The team form BROSCOR - the Bloodless Revolution
of Senior Citizens and the Occupationally Rejected, with the aim of marching
on London.
Four
Both Doc and C.J. have affections for the solicitor
and executor of Reggie's will, while the project has bought divorced Tom
and Linda back together.
Five
The team concentrates on recruiting their army
for the demonstrations, but C.J. has had enough and decides to talk to
the press.
Six
Tom and Linda remarry, and Joan marries her boyfriend
Hank. David Harris-Jones gets drunk at the reception and tells a BBC employee
about the project.
Seven
It is the day of the revolution. Coaches are hijacked,
the recruits descend on London and Jimmy interrupts the evening news. But
the police have been tipped off. |