Home to Roost

- Season 2

(1986)

When his grandfather leaves him a thousand pounds Matthew opens a bank account but the money starts to dwindle after he splashes out on expensive clothes and a telescope and he is soon over-drawn. Henry is prepared to gloat until he learns that Matthew gave half the money to charity - though he soon finds out the reason for this generous gesture.

Henry comes home early from a business trip to find Matthew throwing a party ,though he is persuaded to join in and quite enjoys himself. Come the morning after though and he can do without the couple asleep in his bed,their irate parents turning up to accuse him of encouraging immorality and amorous party guest Enid waiting for him in the airing cupboard.

Matthew decides he wants to dedicate his life to becoming an actor. But after Henry sees him practising for the lead in Othello, he's worried about his son making a fool of himself.

Henry reluctantly agrees to give Matthew driving lessons even though the boy is a terrible pupil,who hits another car. Amazingly he passes first time but Henry is not keen to lend him his car,accusing him of carelessness. However,an unexpected visitor arrives to show that Henry is not the perfect driver he makes himself out to be to his son.

Henry is cynical when Matthew declares himself to be a vegetarian in support of animal rights. Enid refuses to cook for them so Henry has to dine out. However,when Matthew 'liberates' and brings home some laboratory mice and Enid threatens to quit,Henry sees the chance to use his son's principles to force him into giving up smoking.

Local elections are looming and Henry is standing as an independent candidate, though he can expect no support from life-long conservative Enid,whom he has to bribe,or first-time voter Matthew,who's put a poster supporting the labour hopeful,Ms. Trevelyan, in the window. Come election night and Henry is super-confident - but pride comes before a fall,or,in this case,a landslide for Ms. Trevelyan.

Henry's 16-year-old daughter Julie turns up to ask if she can stay for a couple of days. As Henry rekindles his relationship with Julie, it brings back bitterness and long-held resentments from Matthew.