As Time Goes By Season 1 Episode 7 Episode 7
- TV-14
- July 2, 2019
- 42 min
As Time Goes By is a British sitcom that first aired in 1992 and centers around Lionel Hardcastle (Geoffrey Palmer) and Jean Pargetter (Judi Dench), two former lovers who unexpectedly reconnect after losing touch for 38 years. With Jean now living in England and Lionel residing in the African country of Kenya, the pair must navigate the challenges of rekindling their romance while also dealing with the complexities of their individual lives.
Season 1 episode 7, simply titled Episode 7, follows Lionel and Jean as they continue to grow closer while also grappling with the realities of their past. As the episode opens, Lionel is preparing to fly to England to visit Jean for the first time in decades. Despite their many phone conversations and letters, he can't help but feel nervous about seeing her again after so long.
Meanwhile, Jean is equally anxious about the upcoming visit. She confides in her best friend Judith (Moira Brooker) that she's worried Lionel will be disappointed in her aging appearance and the life she's built for herself in the years since they last saw each other.
When Lionel arrives in England, the pair is initially awkward around each other, struggling to find common ground after so many years apart. However, they quickly fall back into their old rhythms and spend the day reminiscing about their youthful adventures and catching up on the events of their lives.
As they spend more time together, Lionel and Jean's attraction to each other grows stronger. They share a tender moment while browsing a bookstore and later share a passionate kiss over dinner. However, the specter of their past looms over them, and they eventually have a heart-to-heart conversation about why they split up years ago.
Despite the fact that they still love each other, Lionel and Jean realize that they have both changed significantly in the time they were apart. They agree to continue seeing each other but take things one day at a time, cognizant of the fact that there are no easy solutions to the complexities of their relationship.
Overall, Episode 7 of As Time Goes By is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of lost love, second chances, and the challenges of growing older. Through the character of Lionel and Jean, the show surveys the landscape of human emotion with wit, humor, and sensitivity. Fans of the show will no doubt find this episode to be a standout entry in the series, providing a perfect example of what makes As Time Goes By such a beloved and enduring classic.