Ep 18. Episode 18

As Time Goes By is a British sitcom that follows the love story of Jean (Judi Dench) and Lionel (Geoffrey Palmer) who reunite after losing touch for 38 years. The show portrays their ups and downs as they navigate their newfound relationship while dealing with family and friends. Episode 18 of the first season is no different, as it brings more fun and challenges to Jean and Lionel's relationship.

The episode opens with Jean and Lionel discussing their plans for the evening. Jean is excited to go to an opera while Lionel would prefer to stay in and watch a movie. However, their conversation is interrupted when Lionel's ex-wife Alistair (Jenny Funnell) calls him asking for help. Alistair's new boyfriend has broken up with her and she wants Lionel to come over and cheer her up.

Despite Jean's initial reluctance, Lionel decides to go and Jean goes to the opera alone. However, things take a turn when Lionel ends up spending the night at Alistair's place. Jean is not happy with Lionel's actions and feels hurt that he chose to spend the night with his ex-wife instead of her.

The next day, Jean and Lionel try to work through their issues. Lionel explains that he only stayed with Alistair because he felt sorry for her and didn't want to leave her alone. Jean is still upset but eventually forgives him.

Meanwhile, Lionel's secretary Sandy (Moyra Fraser) is having her own problems. Her daughter Emily (Laura Howard) has been working at a strip club to make ends meet and Sandy is worried about her safety. She confides in Jean about her concerns and Jean offers to talk to Emily.

Jean meets with Emily and tries to convince her to leave the strip club, but Emily is not interested in listening. Jean is determined to help Emily and comes up with a plan to encourage her to pursue her music career instead.

The episode ends with Jean and Lionel going to a dinner party at Sandy's house. While there, they discover that Sandy's husband is having an affair. Jean and Lionel try to navigate the tricky social situation while also dealing with their own relationship issues.

Overall, Episode 18 of As Time Goes By is a delightful blend of humor and drama. The show's stellar cast delivers strong performances as always, making it easy for viewers to become emotionally invested in their characters' lives. This episode is a prime example of why As Time Goes By has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic to this day.