Ep 1. Party Games

In the season 4 premiere episode of Yes, Minister titled "Party Games," the focus is on a charity event organized by the Prime Minister's wife. Sir Humphrey Appleby is tasked with ensuring that everything goes smoothly at the party. However, his plans are thrown off course when Jim Hacker, the Minister for Administrative Affairs, makes a last-minute decision to attend the event.

To make matters worse, Hacker's wife has purchased a large number of raffle tickets without realizing that the first prize is a mink coat. The Minister is staunchly against fur and does not want to be seen as someone who supports the industry. Meanwhile, Sir Humphrey and his colleagues are worried about the impact that a potential boycott of the event by the Minister could have on their government careers.

As the party kicks off, tensions rise between the Minister and his colleagues, with Sir Humphrey doing his best to smooth things over. However, things take an unexpected turn when the Minister's wife wins the raffle and is awarded the mink coat. The ensuing drama pushes Hacker to the brink of resignation, with Sir Humphrey and his team desperately trying to salvage the situation.

As always, Yes, Minister deftly blends humor with political satire, offering a witty take on the inner workings of government and the tensions that often arise between politicians and civil servants. With its sharp writing and superb performances, "Party Games" is an excellent start to the show's fourth season and a must-watch for fans of political comedy.