Absent Vixen, Cheeky Monkey

Broadcast: 6th September 2002

Janey is about to leave for University - much to Ben's delight as he has his beady eyes on her room. Susan is less gleeful but, like Ben, soon finds herself looking on the bright side. Meanwhile Nick has found employment in a local supermarket - a fact which sees the Harper's suddenly blessed with a windfall of 100s of tins of tuna. The only drawback being that Ben ends up with a criminal record.

Shrink Rap

Broadcast: 13th September 2002

Michael's school is holding a fund raising auction - a fact which he tries to hide from his embarrassing parents. Unfortunately for him the ever-nosey Susan finds out and drags a reluctant Ben to the event. To make a point Susan determinedly bids on everything and successfully secures a therapy session for couples. Ben is horrified when a former patient with extremely foul breath snaps up some free dental treatment at his surgery.

Desperately Squeaking Susan

Broadcast: 20th September 2002

Now that Janey has left for university, Susan invites cousin Abi to dinner for moral support in otherwise male household. Abi turns out to be more than a little accident prone and they end the evening in casualty. Taking pity on Abi's clumsiness Susan decides to invite her to live with them. However Ben sees Abi as a threat to the peace and quiet he's wanted all his married life. Nick has a new career as a magician and borrows Ben's white suit as a costume. However Nick decides that purple is much more becoming to a magician and dyes it.

Of Mice and Ben

Broadcast: 27th September 2002

The Harpers star in a documentary about family life as part of Abi's latest college assignment. Susan is happy to present a facade of domestic bliss and relationship advice. Ben, is more concerned with catching a rodent. Furthermore Ben is worried about Nick. He has gone to buy Brie and has Ben's bank card. They receive a text from Nick to say he has gone to France, as Tesco's had run out.

Imperfect Strangers

Broadcast: 3rd October 2002

Susan and Ben decide to pay a visit on Janey at her new university. However their reception is less than welcoming as they are turned away by Janey and her two male friends. Making the most of the opportunity they book into a local hotel under assumed names in order to pretend to be strangers meeting for the first time. But things start to go badly when Ben goes to the wrong room. Meanwhile Abi's new boyfriend is having a spot of trouble with Michael.

The Second Greatest Story Ever Told

Broadcast: 10th October 2002

The Harpers experience competitive family strife over an amateur nativity play. Both Nick and Susan audition for parts but it is Nick who is cast as the star, Jesus, while Susan is a rather lowlier, Shepherd Number Two. Also Ben is suffering from a severe toothache but is reluctant to put his trust in any other dentist.

Waiting to Inhale

Broadcast: 17th October 2002

Michael has got his eye on the lovely Bex. However he is crestfallen when she appears to be going out with another boy. Janey advises the oldest trick in the book - make her jealous. Thus Michael pretends he is dating Abi and has some surprising success...

Misery

Broadcast: 24th October 2002

Once again the Harpers want to visit Janey at University - much to her despair. Ben decides to incorporate the visit into a golfing weekend but as usual things start to go wrong. Nick, ever on the search for new forms of employment, becomes a drag queen. But he gets more than he bargains for when he decides to go the whole hog and wax his legs, ouch!

Auto Erotica

Broadcast: 7th November 2002

Nick wins a classic, if battered, MG car in a poker game. He intends to strip it and use it for parts until Ben lays eyes on it. Ben's memories of a misspent wild youth come flooding back and, after bribing Nick, he tries his best to restore it. Susan however is not best pleased by this turn of events and is furious that their anniversary weekend trip has been cancelled. Meanwhile, Abi finds Michael in her lingerie drawer and has some fun teasing him.

Handful of Dust

Broadcast: 21st November 2002

Janey comes home from University and brings her friend Katie to stay. The rest of the family jump to conclusions and assume that they are girlfriend and girlfriend. Ben, already put out that everyone has forgotten his birthday, is further rattled by this new development in Janey's sexuality. Michael on the other hand is nothing short of overjoyed. Nick's new form of employment is as a gorilla-o-gram.

The Lost Weekend

Broadcast: 28th November 2002

The Harper children have all gone away for the weekend leaving the house free from trouble and annoyances. So how will Ben and Susan make use of this time to themselves? Unfortunately they can't remember what they used to do when they were on their own. Should they go to the cinema, a museum or just stay in a read?

Ghosts

Broadcast: 5th December 2002

An ex-boyfriend of Susan's has come back on the scene. Susan is not interested and does her best to get rid of him. However Ben still gets hurt.

One flew out of the Cuckoo's Nest

Broadcast: 12th December 2002

Nick has finally decided to fly the family nest and is looking for his own flat. But Ben's untold joy is short lived as the new arrangements won't be without their cost...