Ep 1. Table Manners

The Norman Conquests is a British television series that premiered on BBC One in 1977. The show is a comedic trilogy consisting of three plays- Table Manners, Living Together and Round and Round the Garden. Each play is set in the same country house over a weekend, and focuses on the interactions between the six main characters- Norman, Ruth, Reg, Sarah, Tom and Annie.

The first episode of the first season, Table Manners, is set in the dining room of the country house on a Saturday evening. Norman, the protagonist, has arrived at the house to take care of his invalid mother, and to hopefully win back the heart of his former flame, Annie.

As the episode starts, we see Norman trying to butter up his sister-in-law, Sarah, who is in charge of the cooking for the evening. Norman's attempted flirtations don't go unnoticed by Sarah's husband, Reg, who is already irritated with Norman's presence in the house. The situation gets even more complicated when Ruth, Norman's wife, unexpectedly shows up at the house, causing tension between the characters.

Throughout the episode, the characters engage in witty banter and try to navigate their way through the awkward situation. Norman's attempts to rekindle his relationship with Annie fall flat when she reveals that she has a new man in her life. Meanwhile, Ruth's arrival sparks jealousy in Sarah and puts a strain on her marriage with Reg.

The highlight of the episode is the scene where the characters sit down for dinner. As they pass around the dishes, tensions rise as each character tries to assert their dominance and make their opinion known. The chaos culminates in a hilarious showdown between Norman and Reg, as they both try to claim the last piece of chicken on the plate.

Despite the chaos, the episode ends on a relatively positive note, with the six characters managing to make it through the evening without any major incidents. As they say their goodbyes and head off to bed, it's clear that the comedic tension between them is far from over.

In summary, Table Manners is a hilarious and entertaining start to the Norman Conquests trilogy. The fast-paced dialogue and well-written characters make for a truly enjoyable viewing experience. Whether you're a fan of British comedy or just looking for a fun and lighthearted show to binge-watch, The Norman Conquests is definitely worth checking out.