List of The Upper Hand episodes

The Upper Hand is a British television sitcom which was broadcast on ITV from 1990 to 1996. Seven series and 94 episodes were produced. The following is a list of episodes.

Series overview

Series		Episodes	Original broadcast		DVD releases
			Series premiere	Series finale
	1	13	1 May 1990	27 December 1990	18 January 2010
	2	12	18 February 1991	20 May 1991	10 May 2010
	3	13	5 November 1991	11 February 1992	19 July 2010
	4	19	20 October 1992	22 February 1993	27 September 2010
	5	16	9 September 1993	23 December 1993	25 October 2010
	6	14	6 January 1995	8 April 1995	24 January 2011
	7	7	2 September 1996	14 October 1996	20 June 2011

Series 1 (1990)

Series One
Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Original air date
1	"Just the Job"	Martin Cohan & Blake Hunter	Martin Dennis	1 May 1990
Charlie Burrows and his daughter Joanna leave London. On arriving at his new job, Charlie meets his new boss Caroline for the first time.
2	"Briefless Encounter"	Martin Cohan & Blake Hunter	Martin Dennis	8 May 1990
Charlie decides to take a bath in Caroline's bathroom but he gets more than he bargains for when he goes in there.
3	"Dinner for Two"	Bud Wiser	Martin Dennis	15 May 1990
Caroline orders in a dinner for two for her date but her date gets stuck in Brussels. Charlie forfeits his date to stay with Caroline.
4	"The Old Girl Network"	Dawn Aldredge & Judith Bustany	Martin Dennis	22 May 1990
An old friend of Caroline's comes to stay and makes a play for Charlie.
5	"Caroline's First Fight"	Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser & Nicholas Hyde (additional material)	Martin Dennis	29 May 1990
Joanna and Tom get in to trouble for fighting and they run away to Joanna's old neighbourhood. Charlie and Caroline go after them but soon Caroline finds herself in trouble.
6	"Who's Who?"	Monica Parker & Bud Wiser	Mike Holgate	5 June 1990
Both Caroline and Charlie are mistaken for people they are not but they don't admit to their mistaken identities which makes things difficult with their respective dates.
7	"Growing Pains"	Paul Robinson Hunter	Martin Dennis	10 July 1990
Charlie needs to accept that Joanna is growing up and Laura and Caroline are on hand to help.
8	"Paint Your Wagon"	Lissa Levin	Martin Dennis	17 July 1990
Employer and Employee lines are crossed when Charlie makes a decision about Caroline's car.
9	"Welcome Home (Part 1)"	Robert Sternin & Prudence Fraser	Mike Holgate	24 July 1990
Charlie finds himself in the way when Caroline's adventurer husband returns from the jungle. Guest starring Nicky Henson.
10	"Welcome Home (Part 2)"	Robert Sternin & Prudence Fraser	Mike Holgate	31 July 1990
Whilst the relationship between Caroline and her husband becomes strained, Charlie find himself a perfect new job but something is missing.
11	"Just Like Charlie"	Ken Cinnamon & Karen Wengrod	Martin Dennis	6 August 1990
Tom steals a car hub cap as a prank, in order to emulate Charlie in his younger days.
12	"First Kiss"	Bud Wiser, Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser & Ellen Guylas	Martin Dennis	14 August 1990
It's Caroline birthday but everyone seems to have forgotten, even Charlie. She goes out for a meal with friends and returns home drunk, as does Charlie. Charlie feels bad for forgetting her birthday and so they head in to the kitchen to bake a cake.
13	"Requiem"	Paul Robinson Hunter, Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser, Blake Hunter & Martin Cohan	Martin Dennis	27 December 1990
Why is Charlie short of money? Laura trails him and suspects a woman. But the truth is that Charlie can't say goodbye. Caroline helps him move on.

Series 2 (1991)

Series Two
Episode	Title	Original air date
1	"Common Entrance"	18 February 1991
Joanna's friend Camilla is transferring to St Hilda's School for Girls; the same school that Caroline attended.
2	"When Worlds Collide"	25 February 1991
Caroline invites Charlie's poker playing cronies to play in Henley on Saturday night; unfortunately, she has forgotten she has an old friend coming for dinner on the same night.
3	"Wedding Bells (Part 1)"	4 March 1991
Caroline's ex-husband, Michael, plans to remarry in the south of France and drops a bombshell on Caroline.
4	"Wedding Bells (Part 2)"	11 March 1991
The whole family is still in the South of France and Caroline is still coming to terms with Michael's request for joint custody of Tom.
5	"Cupid's Arrows"	18 March 1991
Tom sets up a romantic blind date for his mother and Charlie.
6	"The Babysitter"	8 April 1991
When their regular babysitter lets them down, Caroline and Charlie agree that Joanna can babysit for Tom.
7	"Playing to Win"	15 April 1991
Tom is encouraged by his school to take a more active role so he chooses gymnastics. When he breaks his shoulder, Caroline blames Charlie for the accident.
8	"The Heiress"	22 April 1991
When Laura inherits some money from a mystery man Caroline does a bit of innocent digging to find out who he was, and comes across a secret that was meant to stay buried.
9	"A Friend in Need"	29 April 1991
Caroline foolishly lets her neighbour, Diana Wilkinson, stay on the sofa for a few nights after she catches her husband cheating.
10	"And the Winner Is..."	6 May 1991
Caroline loses out on an advertising award but she feels even more aggravated that the winner is a young prodigy whom she trained. When Charlie wins a darts competition, she believes she is even more of a failure. After receiving an invitation to the advertising awards ceremony, it takes a great deal of strength and decorum on Caroline's part to act benevolently when Charlie persuades her to attend.
11	"She's My Girl"	13 May 1991
Tom gets upset went a girl he likes gets a crush on Charlie.
12	"The Anniversary"	20 May 1991
Charlie and Caroline celebrate his first anniversary as her housekeeper.

Series 3 (1991–1992)

Series Three
Episode	Title	Original air date
1	"Bedtime Story"	5 November 1991
Caroline is interviewed at home by the famous local reporter, Becky Barnes.
2	"First Date"	12 November 1991
After Caroline takes an escort to the advertising awards, Charlie decides it is time that he took her out for a date. He decides that a Comedy Club is the ideal place for a first date however, Caroline is not impressed.
3	"Once Bitten, Twice Shy"	19 November 1991
Joanna unsuccessfully tries to hide from Charlie the love bite the coolest guy in the school, gave her. He tries to warn her about how teenage boys can be manipulative with girls.
4	"Older Than Springtime"	26 November 1991
Caroline pursues an advertising account with a trendy, young fashion design agency.
5	"Neighbours"	3 December 1991
Problems ensure when new neighbours decide to re-establish their garden boundaries. More problems occur when Charlie and Caroline catch the neighbours' daughter kissing Tom.
6	"Old Flames"	10 December 1991
An old friend of Caroline's, Brian Thomas, appears at the door and declares that he's Caroline's husband. Note: William Puttock (Tom) is credited for, but does not appear in, this episode.
7	"Wheels"	17 December 1991
Charlie is torn about replacing the van. This episode features the 1976 hit 'You To Me Are Everything' by The Real Thing during the episode and in the credits, replacing the theme tune.
8	"The Honeymooners"	7 January 1992
Charlie takes Caroline to a footballers' reunion with Kevin Keegan. Charlie bumps in to an old flame and pretends he and Caroline are married.
9	"The Whiz Kid"	14 January 1992
Charlie starts to get jealous when Caroline is spending all her time with the new guy at work. Guest starring Martin Clunes.
10	"Family Ties"	21 January 1992
Charlie's father-in-law Nick turns up, but their relationship isn't the best. However, things change when Nick claims he is dying - but are things what they seem? Guest starring Anthony Newley.
11	"The Proposal"	28 January 1992
Geoffrey creates a special evening for Caroline and confides in Laura that he's going to offer her a share in his timeshare, but Caroline is expecting an entirely different proposal. Guest starring Simon Williams.
12	"Business and Pleasure"	4 February 1992
Charlie isn't pleased when Caroline is spending all her time with her new colleague.
13	"Pillow Talk"	11 February 1992
Caroline is distraught when she realises she's been talking loudly in her sleep.

Series 4 (1992–1993)

Series Four
Episode	Title	Original air date
1	"Come Dancing"	20 October 1992
Caroline and Charlie go dancing and make some new friends who are about to make a big commitment.
2	"Blind Date"	27 October 1992
Charlie convinces Caroline to go on a pity date with his recently divorced friend Trevor.
3	"Sex, Lies and Exercise Tape"	3 November 1992
Caroline joins a health club and feels insecure about fitting in with the "in-crowd".
4	"Summoned to the Head"	10 November 1992
Tom's school wants him to move a year ahead and Caroline is thrilled, but has decide whether to cope with the influence of the older children.
5	"The Girl Next Door"	17 November 1992
Charlie takes the family to help Auntie Pat at the summer fayre and meets up with some people he used to know, including the only girl from his neighborhood who refused to date him.
6	"Charlie's Auntie's Uncle"	24 November 1992
Auntie Pat's uncle Al needs someone to help him mend his criminal ways and Charlie volunteers.
7	"Match of the Day"	1 December 1992
When Charlie agrees to coach Caroline's volleyball team, she is the one that gets left out.
8	"Surprise, Surprise"	8 December 1992
Laura's innocent dinner party throws up some surprises.
9	"The Fugitive"	15 December 1992
Joanna is devastated to discover that, according to Charlie, her grandfather is not in Spain, but in prison.
10	"You Shall Go to the Ball"	22 December 1992
Laura takes on Caroline's identity so that she can gatecrash a society ball, but bites off more than she can chew.
11	"To Let or Not to Let"	28 December 1992
Charlie and Caroline can't agree over Charlie's choice of tenant for Caroline's cottage.
12	"Big Bad Burrows"	4 January 1993
A boxing match is used as a school fundraiser.
13	"Working Girls"	11 January 1993
Charlie agrees to let Joanna spend a week with him on work experience. However, she soon wishes she was back at school.
14	"A Model Grandmother"	18 January 1993
When Laura strikes a sexy pose for a magazine, it hampers Tom's chances of becoming form rep.
15	"The Manageress"	25 January 1993
Charlie tries to stop Joanna from managing Al's band, but when he changes his mind and tries to help her it causes a bigger row.
16	"Wish You Were Here"	1 February 1993
On a family trip to the Caribbean, Charlie feels left out, but a walk with Caroline in the moonlight soon turns out to be very revealing.
17	"A Walk on the Mild Side"	8 February 1993
Charlie fears Caroline is asking for trouble when she asks out the youth club's wildest member.
18	"Take Your Pick"	15 February 1993
Charlie's godmother and mother find their passions aroused by the same man, forcing Charlie and Caroline to take sides.
19	"Tunnel of Love"	22 February 1993
It's time for declarations of love - or is it?

Series 5 (1993)

Series Five
Episode	Title	Original air date
1	"Not in Front of the Children"	9 September 1993
Charlie and Caroline at last admit that they're in love. Charlie, however, wants to keep it secret.
2	"Misery"	16 September 1993
Caroline has sprained her ankle and is laid-up in bed. She becomes alarmed by Charlie's possessive behaviour.
3	"Cheers"	23 September 1993
Joanna is allowed to go to a party however she gets drunk and is very ill as a consequence.
4	"Duck Soup"	30 September 1993
Who shot Caroline's biggest client? Charlie and Laura have some explaining to do.
5	"Minder"	7 October 1993
Charlie repays a favour owed to an old friend by taking their unruly daughter on to help with the housekeeping.
6	"Wheel of Fortune"	14 October 1993
When Laura is stood up, Charlie takes her and Caroline to the Casino as planned.
7	"The Price is Right"	21 October 1993
Charlie, disillusioned by the materialistic motives of a footballer, falls out with the rest of the family.
8	"Housewife's Choice"	28 October 1993
When Charlie and Caroline swap roles, Caroline comes off worse.
9	"Who's the Boss?"	4 November 1993
When Charlie feels henpecked, he tries to let Caroline know who the real boss is with disastrous results.
10	"The Far Pavilion"	11 November 1993
Joanna asks Charlie to help her get a job,but he's reluctant, remembering the disaster he had on his hands after he helped Tom.
11	"The Porridge Diet"	18 November 1993
Nick is released from prison and Caroline invites him to stay as he has nowhere else to go.
12	"Mixed Doubles"	25 November 1993
Charlie becomes jealous of a long legged friend of Caroline's, while Caroline is spending time with someone very familiar...
13	"Full House"	2 December 1993
Al is flat hunting but Charlie messes things up. Caroline has to market a new soft drink which tastes disgusting.
14	"Keep It in the Family"	9 December 1993
Caroline is tempted by an offer to merge her company with another advertising agency, but Laura is not part of the package.
15	"Happy Ever After? (Part 1)"	16 December 1993
Charlie promises not to put pressure on Caroline to marry him. They take an adventure holiday in which they go hiking and cycling.
16	"Happy Ever After? (Part 2)"	23 December 1993
Caroline doesn't want to forgive Charlie for the way in which he proposed.

Series 6 (1995)

Series Six
Episode	Title	Original air date
1	"Moonlighting"	6 January 1995
Now that Charlie is engaged to his boss, he is anxious to show he is not a kept man. He buys Caroline a painting he cannot afford and is forced to do a little moonlighting.
2	"Fatal Attraction"	13 January 1995
Charlie is left feeling guilty when his tennis opponent, Fred, drops dead on the court. The arrival of Fred's twin, Ted gives him an opportunity to make amends, but when Ted begins to take advantage, Charlie loses his cool and challenges him to a tennis match.
3	"Granny Get Your Gun"	20 January 1995
Caroline's domineering grandmother comes to stay and announces she will prevent her marriage to Charlie. She suggests a pre-nuptial agreement, and once the solicitors are brought in the negotiations soon turn into a slanging match.
4	"Surgical Spirit"	27 January 1995
Caroline is forced to take in her mother when Laura's flat is damaged by fire.
5	"Father of the Bride (Part 1)"	3 February 1995
Joanna brings her new boyfriend home to meet her father and announces that they are engaged.
6	"Father of the Bride (Part 2)"	10 February 1995
Joanna and her new-found fiancé, Dan, elope to Gretna Green, but are followed by their relatives who drive through the night to catch them.
7	"Married... With Parents"	17 February 1995
Newly-weds Joanna and Dan are back from their honeymoon, but the university has thrown them out of the halls of residence, and they move in with Charlie and Caroline. The idea of Joanna and Dan sharing a bed keeps Charlie awake at night.
8	"No Place Like Home"	24 February 1995
A visitor to the house offers a significant sum to sell up so Charlie and Caroline go house-hunting.
9	"Hard Times"	3 March 1995
Caroline's business goes through a bad patch and she uses money from the household account to support it. Charlie's shopping cheque bounces, and he imposes an economy drive on the family. Caroline, however, cannot stop spending money.
10	"Hit the Road"	10 March 1995
Tom tries to impress a girlfriend from school by using Charlie's jeep despite the fact that he is too young to drive legally.
11	"Home Improvement"	17 March 1995
When a water leak in the ceiling downstairs is traced to Caroline's bedroom, Charlie decides it would be a good time to give the whole bedroom a makeover.
12	"Quantum Leap"	24 March 1995
Charlie is knocked out and dreams that he has remained a football player with all the money and trappings associated with it.
13	"Second Thoughts"	31 March 1995
Charlie has an allergic reaction every time he is forced to think about getting married.
14	"The Wedding"	8 April 1995
It's Charlie and Caroline's wedding day and everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.

Series 7 (1996)

Series Seven
Episode	Title	Original air date
1	"A Lion Called Laura"	2 September 1996
Charlie and Caroline are happily married and facing their first nights apart as Caroline goes to Brussels for work. But why is she so upset? And how will she react to the surprise that Charlie has awaiting her return?
2	"Friends"	9 September 1996
Charlie and Caroline reminisce about their honeymoon.
3	"In Marriage We Trust"	16 September 1996
Caroline invites a man-eating friend for dinner; Laura's date is Caroline's ex. Jealousy threatens to mar the evening - until Charlie & Caroline trust their marriage.
4	"The Chunnel of Love"	23 September 1996
Dan gets a job in Paris but Jo doesn't want to go. Charlie can't resist interfering - but will he make things better, or worse?
5	"Nobody's Child"	30 September 1996
Laura is feeling neglected and unloved - until an old friend turns up and invites her on a world tour. But 2 stars in one small room means Star Wars.
6	"A Couple of Charlies"	7 October 1996
Charlie meets an old girlfriend now married to another Charlie. His insecurities mounting, this Charlie challenges Charlie at pool. One Charlie wins, one loses, and both discover new depths to their marriages.
7	"Oh Baby, Oh Baby"	14 October 1996
Charlie and Caroline are still trying for a baby. The pregnancy test is positive - but whose is it? Caroline's? Or Joanna's?

External links

• The Upper Hand at the Internet Movie Database