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The Good Life. Image shows from L to R: Tom Good (Richard Briers), Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal). Copyright: BBC.

The Good Life

BBC One sitcom about a couple practicing self-sufficiency. 30 episodes (4 series), 1975 - 1978. Stars Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington.

Series 1, Episode 1 - Plough Your Own Furrow

On his 40th birthday Tom Good decides to drop out of the rat-race in order to do something meaningful with his life. He, along with supportive wife Barbara, attempts to become self-sufficient in Surbiton.

Full synopsis

On Tom Good's 40th birthday he awakes with a new zest for life - just not the one he has. He realises that he is not satisfied with his quality of life and that it is time for something new. He attempts to explain the strange feeling building up inside him to his wife Barbara but fails as he himself is not quite sure what it is yet. We see, for the first and only time, an insight into Tom's working life as a Draughtsman. As the day passes Tom begins to question how grown men can be so enthusiastic about designing plastic toys that are found in cereal packets. When told that the company's new 'blockbuster idea' is a giraffe toy, Tom can no longer take his job seriously.

Tom and Barbara try to diagnose and solve the problem of 'it' in their living room. This culminates at three in the morning with Barbara (in a nightgown, coat and wellingtons) pacing the garden in deep thought finally deciding she will support Tom in his idea to become self-sufficient in Surbiton.

The following morning, next-door neighbour and best friend Jerry Leadbetter is informed of the plan before their normal carpool commute. Tom is confident in his idea whilst Jerry thinks he is mad for even suggesting it.

Notes

Margot is not seen in this episode, but her voice is heard.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 4th April 1975
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

  1. Saturday 2nd April 2011 at 11:35pm on Gold
  2. Wednesday 22nd June 2011 at 10:20am on Gold
  3. Wednesday 22nd June 2011 at 2:00pm on Gold
  4. Saturday 9th July 2011 at 7:40am on Gold
  5. Sunday 10th July 2011 at 6:05am on Gold
  6. Thursday 8th September 2011 at 9:20am on Gold
  7. Thursday 8th September 2011 at 2:00pm on Gold
  8. Sunday 16th October 2011 at 8:05am on Gold
  9. Monday 21st November 2011 at 7:00am on Gold
  10. Monday 21st November 2011 at 2:00pm on Gold
  11. Saturday 14th January 2012 at 12:00pm on Gold
  12. Sunday 15th January 2012 at 8:30am on Gold
  13. Saturday 28th January 2012 at 12:00pm on Gold
  14. Sunday 29th January 2012 at 9:00am on Gold
  15. Sunday 18th March 2012 at 10:45am on Gold
  16. Sunday 18th March 2012 at 5:10pm on Gold
  17. Tuesday 20th March 2012 at 10:40am on Gold
  18. Tuesday 20th March 2012 at 4:40pm on Gold
  19. Wednesday 6th June 2012 at 1:45pm on Gold
  20. Wednesday 6th June 2012 at 7:45pm on Gold
  21. Monday 25th February 2013 at 12:20pm on Gold
  22. Monday 25th February 2013 at 6:20pm on Gold
  23. Tuesday 14th May 2013 at 2:20pm on Gold
  24. Wednesday 15th May 2013 at 8:20am on Gold
  25. Saturday 5th October 2013 at 3:50pm on Gold
  26. Sunday 6th October 2013 at 7:50am on Gold
  27. Tuesday 8th October 2013 at 1:50pm on Gold
  28. Wednesday 9th October 2013 at 9:40am on Gold
  29. Saturday 2nd November 2013 at 5:40pm on Drama
  30. Sunday 3rd November 2013 at 5:00pm on Gold
  31. Sunday 3rd November 2013 at 5:10pm on Drama
  32. Monday 4th November 2013 at 11:00am on Gold
  33. Thursday 8th June 2017 at 6:40pm on Gold
  34. Friday 9th June 2017 at 6:00pm on Gold
  35. Monday 24th July 2017 at 2:20pm on Gold
  36. Monday 24th July 2017 at 7:00pm on Gold
  37. Wednesday 26th July 2017 at 8:20pm on Gold

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