Genres
Networks
Created By
Never the Twain
Overview
Never the Twain is a British sitcom that ran for eleven series from 7 September 1981 to 9 October 1991. It was created by Johnnie Mortimer, and was the only sitcom he ever created without his usual writing partner, Brian Cooke. Mortimer wrote the entirety of the first two series and four episodes out of six of the eighth, with the rest being mainly written by Vince Powell and John Kane. It starred Windsor Davies and Donald Sinden as rival antique dealers, and also starred Derek Deadman, Zara Nutley, Robin Kermode, Tacy Kneale, Julia Watson, Honor Blackman, Teddy Turner and Maria Charles. The title is taken from the Rudyard Kipling poem; The Ballad of East and West.
Top Cast
Donald Sinden
Simon Peel
Windsor Davies
Oliver Smallbridge
Zara Nutley
Aunt Eleanor
Honor Blackman
Teddy Turner
Banks
Derek Deadman
Ringo
Seasons
Season 1 (1981)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Families At War
1981-09-07The feuding fathers find out about the relationship between their son and daughter and consider taking steps to prevent a marriage.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 2: Of Meissen Men
1981-09-14Veronica appears on the scene - causing Simon and Oliver to compete for more than antiquities.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: A Night At The Opera
1981-09-21Veronica wants to go to the opera in Edinburgh. Simon and Oliver each compete to be her date. Simon has to find a replacement au pair.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: A Matched Pair
1981-09-28Oliver's antiques shop is burgled. A pair of pistols is reported missing, but when these mysteriously turn up in Simon's shop Oliver turns this misfortune into an opportunity to make money from an insurance claim. Simon is arrested when a police officer spots the pistols in his shop window. To encourage Oliver to assist him in getting the charges dropped he agrees to help Oliver get membership at his golf club.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: Nothing But The Truth
1981-10-05Oliver beats Simon to a painting they both want. But is it a Constable or not? David confesses propositioning another woman, jeopardising their engagement.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: Father Of The Groom
1981-10-19Simon holds a dinner for Oliver, Lyn and David, his ulterior motive being to expose Oliver's lack of etiquette. Lyn prepares for her move into Simon and David's home. David and Lyn's wedding day arrives.
Runtime: N/A min
Season 2 (1982)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed ?
1982-09-07Simon nominates Oliver for membership of his golf club. Oliver holds a function for the committee members to win their support. Lyn and David are on their honeymoon and return to find Oliver and Simon quarrelling over their wedding presents.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 2: As Young As You Feel
1982-09-14Simon and Oliver seek to win Veronica's affections. Oliver reaches the age of 50. Lyn is concerned about her father being lonely, but David is concerned about the amount of time she spends with him.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: A Woman's Place ...
1982-09-21David and Lyn quarrel about her taking a full-time job. Oliver seeks a new cleaner. Simon is losing to Oliver in a telephone chess game and becomes suspicious about Oliver's apparent skill at the game.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: Blood Brothers
1982-09-28Simon needs a blood transfusion, but he has a rare blood type. Oliver has the same blood type and agrees to donate in return for favours from Simon, including dating Veronica.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: lf You Knew Susan
1982-10-05Simon's sister visits him and Oliver immediately falls for her. Simon and Oliver each purchase one of a pair of figurines and then attempt to purchase the others to make a valuable pair.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: The More We Are Together
1982-10-12Oliver and Simon each separately consider reforming their partnership due to the poor state of their accounts and the imminent arrival of the taxman.
Runtime: N/A min
Season 3 (1983)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Taking Stock
1983-10-10Oliver and Simon have re-entered their partnership. They decide to do a stocktake. Oliver meets up with an old school friend, Bethan. Confusion ensues over a fake watch and a "pair" of candlesticks.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 2: Partners
1983-10-17Simon receives an offer for his shop. Oliver thinks that Ringo has won the pools and breaks his partnership with Simon, offering Ringo a partnership. However, thinks are not what they seem for either man.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: A Nose For Quality
1983-10-24Both Simon and Oliver believe that they have appointments to meet Lady Deveraux with a view to purchasing some of her antiques.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: The End Of The Line
1983-10-31Oliver and Simon discuss the issue of grandchildren. David claims to have had a vasectomy. Oliver and Simon join a dating agency as an alternative route to continuing their family lines.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: The Welsh Connection
1983-11-07Simon and Oliver go on a health kick. An auction in Wales causes disagreement between the two men.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: Not On The Same Wavelength
1983-11-14Simon and Oliver are invited as guests onto a radio show. The two men become convinced that Lyn is pregnant.
Runtime: N/A min
Season 4 (1984)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: A Home of Your Own
1984-11-08David and Lyn have moved to Canada. Simon needs to find someone to rent his flat quickly before his Aunt Eleanor moves in.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 2: The Royal Connection
1984-11-15Oliver attempts to gain the Royal Warrant for his shop from the Prince of Wales. Simon investigates his family tree in the hope of finding that he has blue blood.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 3: Words and Music
1984-11-22Oliver and Simon volunteer to perform at a Vet Circle luncheon for Caroline.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 4: No Flame Like An Old Flame
1984-11-29Simon's life becomes complicated when an old sweetheart pays him an unexpected visit.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 5: Love's Neighbours' Lost
1984-12-06Oliver and Simon duel over a woman, Caroline. But they find that there is another man vying for her affections.
Runtime: N/A minEpisode 6: Come Fly With Me
1984-12-13
Season 5 (1986)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: In Whom We Tryst
1986-01-08Episode 2: Going, Going, Gone!
1986-01-15Episode 3: Thicker Than Water
1986-01-22Episode 4: Kung Who ?
1986-01-29Episode 5: Reading Between The Lines
1986-02-05Episode 6: Definitely Not Cricket!
1986-02-12
Season 6 (1987)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Feed A Cold
1987-01-15Episode 2: Going To Pot
1987-01-22Episode 3: Love ls A Many Splendoured Thing
1987-01-29Episode 4: A Night To Remember
1987-02-05Episode 5: The Battle Of Deveraux Dale
1987-02-12Episode 6: Affair of the Heart
1987-02-19
Season 7 (1988)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Settled Out of Court
1988-01-27Episode 2: The Wagers Of Sin
1988-03-03Episode 3: Betrothed, Bothered And Bewildered
1988-02-10Episode 4: The Second Time Around
1988-02-17Episode 5: Born To Blush Unseen
1988-02-24Episode 6: Fasten Your Seat Belts
1988-03-02
Season 8 (1988)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Grandfathers-In-Law
1988-10-24Episode 2: Nursery Times
1988-10-31Episode 3: Whose Baby ?
1988-11-07Episode 4: Never Say Die
1988-11-14Episode 5: Moving On
1988-11-21Episode 6: It's A Long Way To Friern Barnet
1988-11-28
Season 9 (1989)
No overview available.
7 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Just The Ticket
1989-09-06Episode 2: A Question Of Honour
1989-09-13Episode 3: A New Lease Of Life
1989-09-20Episode 4: Aspects Of Love
1989-09-27Episode 5: Neighbours
1989-10-04Episode 6: Bonjour Paris
1989-10-11Episode 7: A Winter's Tale
1989-12-28
Season 10 (1990)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: X Marks The Spot
1990-09-05Episode 2: S.W.A.L.K.
1990-09-12Episode 3: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
1990-09-19Episode 4: Happy Holiday
1990-09-26Episode 5: There But For The Grace Of God
1990-10-03Episode 6: A Car By Any Other Name
1990-10-10
Season 11 (1991)
No overview available.
6 episodes
