Ep 4. Jim's Birthday

The Royle Family season 1 episode 4 titled "Jim's Birthday" centers around the family patriarch's 65th birthday celebration. The episode opens with Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) receiving presents from his wife, Barbara (Sue Johnston), and children, Denise (Caroline Aherne) and Dave (Craig Cash). Jim expresses his gratitude for each of the gifts, but none of them seem to excite or interest him.

As the day progresses, the family gathers in the living room, where they engage in their usual banter and bickering. Denise's boyfriend, Dave, is present, and he joins in the family's activities but is a bit intimidated by their dynamic. Jim's brother, Len (John Woodvine), who is not usually invited to family occasions, also shows up unannounced to wish Jim a happy birthday.

As the family sits around chatting and watching TV, Jim receives a phone call from his brother, who he has not spoken to in years. The conversation does not go well, and Jim ends up getting angry and hanging up the phone. This upsets Barbara, who tries to console Jim and calm him down.

In the meantime, the family prepares a birthday dinner for Jim. They serve up a spread of his favorite foods, including shepherd's pie and apple pie with custard. As they eat, they reminisce about past birthdays and reflect on Jim's life. Despite his gruff exterior, it's clear that Jim is a well-loved member of the family.

As the night wears on, the family's attention turns to a game of charades. The game brings out the competitive side of everyone, and there are plenty of laughs and arguments as they try to guess each other's clues. However, the game is short-lived, as Jim suddenly falls ill and has to be taken to the hospital.

The episode ends with the family anxiously waiting for news on Jim's condition. They sit together in the living room, united in their concern for Jim and reflecting on how much he means to them.

Overall, "Jim's Birthday" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the Royle family's love and loyalty to each other. Despite their quirks and flaws, they come together to celebrate and support one another on this special occasion. The episode is filled with humor and poignancy, making it a standout installment in the series.