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The Two of Us

30min

Comedy

The Two of Us is an ITV comedy series produced by London Weekend Television, and starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Janet Dibley as Ashley Phillips and Elaine Walker, an unmarried couple living together, at a time when this was becoming increasingly common in Britain, but still considered slightly controversial in some circles. While Ashley was keen for the pair to get married and would regularly propose, Elaine saw no reason to get married and was happy to keep her independence. Ashley's roguish grandfather Perce (played by Patrick Troughton, but later by Tenniel Evans after Troughton's death) was supportive of the couple, but Ashley's domineering mother (Jennifer Piercey) disapproved and constantly urged the pair to marry. Ashley's suppressed father (Paul McDowell) seemed less upset, but generally backed up his wife in the hope of a quiet life and the odd sherry.

Episodes

Cast

Season 1

Proposals

1. Proposals

30min

31st Oct 1986

Ashley porposes to Elaine – yet again. Although the couple live together, Elaine is determined to hang on to her freedom.

Family Pressures

2. Family Pressures

30min

7th Nov 1986

Although Ashley and Elaine live together, staying overnight at Ashley's parents always means seprate bedrooms. Ashley issues his mother an ultimatum: a double room, or no more visits. His mother, Mrs. Pearce maintains her principles in a very senaky way.

The Limit

3. The Limit

30min

14th Nov 1986

Ashley and Elaine decide to put their relationship on the line and test it to the limit.

Cracks in the Pavement

4. Cracks in the Pavement

30min

21st Nov 1986

Elaine is critical of Ashley's appearance and behaviour, so he decides to make a few changes.

Feeling Broody

5. Feeling Broody

30min

28th Nov 1986

Ashley is desparate to start a family. Not sharing his enthusiasm for babies, Elaine sures him of his madness by arranging for baby Lawrence to stay the weekend.

The Contract

6. The Contract

30min

5th Dec 1986

Ashley and Elaine decide that an American-style cohabitation contract would free them from all the stupid, petty arguments that every couple has over mundane issues. What sounds good in theory threatens to turn into a disaster.

The End of the Beginning

7. The End of the Beginning

30min

12th Dec 1986

The highly conventional Ashley still wants to marry the independent Elaine. Of course, the last thing Elaine wants is to settle down... but Ashley won't take no for an answer.

First air date

31st Oct 1986

Last air date

18th Mar 1990

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks