Ep 7. The Royle Family At Christmas

The Royle Family season 3 episode 7, titled "The Royle Family At Christmas," is a special holiday-themed episode that follows the Royles as they gather together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

The episode begins with Jim and Barbara Royle (played by Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston) preparing for Christmas day. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their daughter Denise (played by Caroline Aherne), her husband Dave (played by Craig Cash), and their baby David. The couple is running late, causing tension to build as Jim becomes increasingly annoyed with their tardiness.

As the family finally arrives, they are greeted by their auntie Norma (played by Liz Smith) and their next-door neighbor Joe (played by Peter Martin), who both join the festivities. With a table full of food, including turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings, the family begins to tuck into their highly anticipated Christmas feast.

As the meal progresses, tensions continue to rise as family members argue, bicker, and make snide remarks. Dave and Jim, in particular, seem to be at each other's throats, with Dave's attempts at humor rubbing Jim the wrong way. Meanwhile, Denise struggles to keep the peace and keep everyone in good spirits.

Throughout the episode, the family members exchange gifts, with varying degrees of enthusiasm and gratitude. Barbara receives a brooch from her husband that she doesn't particularly like, while Norma is delighted with a pair of socks from Denise.

As the evening progresses, the family members start to wind down, with some nodding off in their chairs and others sipping on glasses of wine. However, the peace is short-lived when Denise discovers that Dave has been secretly smoking in the bathroom. This triggers an argument between the couple, leading to further tensions between the family members.

Despite the arguments and the tensions, the episode ends on a heartwarming note, with the family members snuggled up on the couch, watching Christmas specials on TV and reminiscing about previous holiday seasons. It's a reminder that, no matter how trying the holidays can be, family is ultimately what matters most.

Overall, "The Royle Family At Christmas" is a festive and often hilarious episode that captures the joys and the trials of the holiday season. With strong performances from the talented cast and plenty of witty writing, it's a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone looking for a good laugh during the holidays.