Tales of the Unexpected Episode Guide

Episode Guide

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 9 (2000 - 2001)

• Season 9 Episode 10: Mr Knowall

  A woman discovers the disturbing secret of an archaeologist able to immediately date relics with unerring accuracy

• Season 9 Episode 9: Time To Die

  Sparks fly after an electronics expert's marriage hits the rocks. David Suchet, Jemma Redgrave and Nina Van Pallandt star

• Season 9 Episode 8: Finger of Suspicion

  An American thief faces extradition from a Middle East country for a crime he did not commit. Michael Brandon stars

• Season 9 Episode 7: The Dead Don't Steal

  A wife wants out when the family drug-smuggling operation goes wrong

• Season 9 Episode 6: Wink Three Times

  A woman joins a dating agency to try to overcome her shyness, but her plan backfires when an out-of-town solicitor tries a one-night stand

• Season 9 Episode 5: Facts of Life

  A fencing contest in London lands naive Nicholas Lillie in the middle of a bizarre adventure. Drama, with Benedict Taylor and Jim Broadbent

• Season 9 Episode 4: The Verger

  When the new vicar of a church plans radical changes, conflict arises over a secret one of the locals has kept for years

• Season 9 Episode 3: The Surgeon

  A surgeon saves the life of a wealthy patient and receives a wonderful gift - but his new asset proves a fearful liability. Starring John Alderton and Alison Fiske

• Season 9 Episode 2: The Colonel's Lady

  A woman publishes a volume of love poems that has a disastrous effect on her marriage to Colonel George Peregrine, who sets out to discover the identity of her former lover. Dramatisation of the tale by Somerset Maugham, with Joss Ackland, Pauline Collins, Rupert Frazer and Gareth Thomas

• Season 9 Episode 1: Skeleton In The Cupboard

  An echo from the past comes back to haunt a ruthless executive, and his wife becomes suspicious

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 8

• Season 8 Episode 4: Scrimshaw

  Mystery series featuring tales with a twist

• Season 8 Episode 3: Nothin' Short of Highway Robbery

  A couple encounter a shady mechanic while making a trip across the desert

• Season 8 Episode 2: In the Cards

  A fortune teller sees her own destiny in the cards of a man who has just arrived in town

• Season 8 Episode 1: People Don't Do Such Things

  A woman's marriage is blown apart when she meets a dashing young writer. Bizarre drama, written by Ruth Rendell

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 7 (2001)

• Season 7 Episode 15: Open Window

  A young man discovers a window in a peaceful hunting lodge leads to a strange world

• Season 7 Episode 14: The Mugger

  An ambitious politician turns vigilante in an effort to crack down on violence

• Season 7 Episode 13: The Reconciliation

  An unhappy husband decides to give up on his boring marriage - but his wife seems unwilling to co-operate

• Season 7 Episode 12: Accidental Death

  Two villains decide to take advantage of an old man

• Season 7 Episode 11: I Like It Here in Wilmington

  A troubled businessman contemplates murdering his wife so he can get his hands on her trust fund

• Season 7 Episode 10: Bird of Prey

  Jack and Edna's parrot lays a strange egg, but when the chick hatches it appears to be watching them

• Season 7 Episode 9: Sauce for the Goose

  The fate of a newly-wed seems sealed after he suffers a string of accidents similar to his wife's first husband

• Season 7 Episode 8: Wet Saturday

  When his disabled daughter commits a terrible act, a father must cover it up or risk losing his social standing

• Season 7 Episode 7: The Gift of Beauty

  A woman desires wealth and beauty : but is she asking too much?

• Season 7 Episode 6: The Last of the Midnight Garden

  A competition to find the best murder story attracts an unusually high level of attention. Jane Asher and Patrick Mower star

• Season 7 Episode 5: Number Eight

  Mystery series featuring tales with a twist

• Season 7 Episode 4: Have a Nice Death

  A successful author receives threatening phone calls

• Season 7 Episode 3: Proxy

  A chauffeur offers his wealthy employer a solution to an impending scandal

• Season 7 Episode 2: The Best Chess Player in the World

  A chess game gets out of control when one of the players learns his wife has been unfaithful

• Season 7 Episode 1: The Dirty Detail

  Mystery series featuring tales with a twist

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 6 (2001)

• Season 6 Episode 14: The Turn of the Tide

  A man murders his friend, but the forces of nature are against him. Richard Basehart stars

• Season 6 Episode 13: Youth From Vienna

  Three close friends are put under strain when the discovery of an elixir of youth is only sufficient for two of them. Drama, starring Dick Smothers and Sharon Gless

• Season 6 Episode 12: Hit and Run

  A doctor is distraught when his wife disappears, but he finds life has its own surprises

• Season 6 Episode 11: The Tribute

  Three thrifty ladies are reunited by the death of a woman who served their families in the colonies. They invite the deceased's niece to lunch, but she proves a surprising guest

• Season 6 Episode 10: The Luncheon

  A woman persuades a naive writer to buy her lunch at her fiance's restaurant. Drama, starring Gayle Hunicutt and Bosco Hogan

• Season 6 Episode 9: The Wrong 'Un

  A businessman ignores valuable advice and invites a woman up to his hotel room, where he finds himself in trouble

• Season 6 Episode 8: The Vorpal Blade

  An elderly aristocrat recalls a duel fought in Germany in the 1920s, and reveals a shocking secret

• Season 6 Episode 7: Down Among the Sheltering Palms

  An American airman returns to England for a nostalgic visit, but his plans turn sour

• Season 6 Episode 6: Riders
• Season 6 Episode 5: Heir Presumptuous

  Mystery series featuring tales with a twist

• Season 6 Episode 4: Clerical Error

  A man has an unpleasant shock when he learns his recently-deceased father owed a large amount of money

• Season 6 Episode 3: A Sad Loss

  A near-bankrupt hotel owner goes to great lengths to get her hands on an inheritance from a rich aunt

• Season 6 Episode 2: The Memory Man

  A man with a remarkable memory plans to turn his talent into cash by offering to help someone recall a locker number

• Season 6 Episode 1: A Passing Opportunity

  A man risks happiness for wealth when he decides to kill a former classmate

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 5 (2000)

• Season 5 Episode 18: The Skelton Key

  A young man takes unorthodox action to chase off his rival in love

• Season 5 Episode 17: Who's Got the Lady?

  A ruthless art gallery owner gets a new companion, who also happens to be a talented artist. Drama, starring Richard Johnson and Victoria Tennant

• Season 5 Episode 16: A Man With a Fortune

  A wealthy American searches London for his family, but a chance meeting with flatmates Eva and Janet brings catastrophe

• Season 5 Episode 15: In the Bag

  A safebreaker is hired by a pretty girl who accompanies him when he goes to recover her stolen jewellery : but is he making a mistake?

• Season 5 Episode 14: The Absence of Emily

  A woman suspects her husband of being involved in her sister's disappearance. Drama, starring Frances Tomelty and Anthony Valentine

• Season 5 Episode 13: What Have You Been Up to Lately?

  Tragedy strikes when two actors get together for a reunion. Drama, starring Peter Barkworth and Benjamin Whitrow

• Season 5 Episode 12: Death in the Morning

  Two women strike up a friendship, but one appears to have highly questionable motives, Drama, with Cherie Lunghi and Carol Drinkwater

• Season 5 Episode 11: Light Fingers

  The theft of a few pairs of gloves leads a man to a discovery that shatters his world

• Season 5 Episode 10: Death Can Add

  An employee defrauds his company and appears to get away with his crime - until a eagle-eyed accountant steps in. Ian Holm stars

• Season 5 Episode 9: A Harmless Vanity

  A middle-aged woman finds her husband is looking for a young mistress. Drama, starring Sheila Gish

• Season 5 Episode 8: Pattern of Guilt

  A man falls in love with his ex-wife, but his heartless current spouse will do anything to make divorce difficult

• Season 5 Episode 7: Decoy

  A female police constable is used as bait to catch a murderer. Drama, starring Susan Penhaligon

• Season 5 Episode 6: The Moles

  Two would-be burglars enlist the help of a professional villain, but things don't turn out as planned

• Season 5 Episode 5: A Stranger in Town

  An eccentric stranger arrives in town, bewitching its children with his magic - and appears to have something else up his sleeve. Drama, starring Derek Jacobi

• Season 5 Episode 4: Run Rabbit Run

  A writer uncovers an intriguing story when he revisits his wartime lodgings. Drama, starring Leslie Caron and James Aubrey

• Season 5 Episode 3: Operation Safecrack

  A retired thief breaks into a new safe as a publicity stunt : but the money inside proves too much of a temptation for the ex-convict

• Season 5 Episode 2: The Eavesdropper

  A woman eavesdrops on a private conversation while at lunch, which has disastrous repercussions on her marriage

• Season 5 Episode 1: Blue Marigold

  A fashion model loses her glamorous lifestyle and is ditched by her boyfriend : but years later she sees an opportunity to win him back

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 4 (2000)

• Season 4 Episode 17: Hijack

  A plane carrying 600 VIPs is hijacked, but when the ransom is paid the captain is nowhere to be found

• Season 4 Episode 16: The Way to Do It

  A put-upon man turns to gambling to escape his overpowering aunt, but the greedy casino boss hears of her wealth and makes plans of his own

• Season 4 Episode 15: A Glowing Future

  A woman's gift for her lover's bride-to-be could not be more suitable - at least she thinks so

• Season 4 Episode 14: Bosom Friends

  Friendships are pushed to their limits when two school chums decide to share a house

• Season 4 Episode 13: There's One Born Every Minute

  An ordinary married couple inherit a fortune that has a dramatic effect on their lives

• Season 4 Episode 12: Completely Foolproof

  A wealthy man's wife plans to murder him - but her astute husband proves more ruthless than she bargained for. Starring Telly Savalas

• Season 4 Episode 11: Kindly Dig Your Grave

  A devious woman meets her match when she tries to take advantage of a struggling male artist

• Season 4 Episode 10: The Last Bottle in the World

  A husband invites the man he suspects of being his wife's lover to dinner. Starring Anthony Quayle and Nigel Hawthorne

• Season 4 Episode 9: The Best Policy

  An accountant whose book-keeping is perfect finds his honesty being put to the test

• Season 4 Episode 8: Never Speak Ill of the Dead

  Two friends suspect a doctor of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in a cellar. Starring Colin Blakely and Warren Clarke

• Season 4 Episode 7: The Sound Machine

  A man invents a machine that enables him to talk to plants : with unexpected consequences. Harry Andrews stars

• Season 4 Episode 6: Shatterproof

  A killer is taken in by his intended victim's hospitality - but it is a harsh lesson that can only be learnt once

• Season 4 Episode 5: A Woman's Help

  A man plots to get rid of his demanding wife and inherit her money

• Season 4 Episode 4: The Best of Everything

  A man seeks advice from his sponging friend on how to woo his boss's daughter. Drama, starring Michael Kitchen

• Season 4 Episode 3: The Boy Who Talked With Animals

  A father buys his son a giant turtle, but is concerned about what the boy will do with it

• Season 4 Episode 2: Vicious Circle

  A would-be burglar is confused when his intended victim - an elderly lady - appears to befriend him. Drama, with Siobhan McKenna and Patrick Field

• Season 4 Episode 1: Would You Believe It?

  Two archaeologists get less than they bargained for when they try to steal a priceless treasure from its tomb. Nigel Havers stars

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 3

• Season 3 Episode 9: The Party

  A man takes revenge for being left out of the Christmas celebrations at his office party. Robert Morley stars

• Season 3 Episode 8: I'll Be Seeing You

  A woman's eye transplant leads her lover to see her in a new light

• Season 3 Episode 7: The Stinker

  A scorned husband seeks revenge on his immoral wife and her lover - but is not certain who the man is. Denholm Elliott stars

• Season 3 Episode 6: Parson's Pleasure

  A man believes he can make a fortune with a valuable piece of furniture

• Season 3 Episode 5: A Girl Can't Always Have Everything

  A selfish woman used to having her own way asks for help - but may be expecting too much. Joan Collins stars

• Season 3 Episode 4: Vengeance Is Mine, Inc.

  When an acid-tongued gossip columnist lets fly with another barrage of witty one-liners, his victims want revenge. Luckily, a pair of young actors are on hand to teach him a lesson

• Season 3 Episode 3: Proof of Guilt

  A man is shot in a locked room with only one other person in it : but there is no sign of a gun

• Season 3 Episode 2: Picture of a Place

  A swindler buys a painting from a sweet old lady, but gets less than he bargained for. Drama, starring Bill Maynard

• Season 3 Episode 1: Fly Paper

  A girl who is followed by a stranger seeks shelter with a kindly woman, but her troubles are far from over. Alfred Burke and Stephanie Cole star

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 2 (2002)

• Season 2 Episode 16: Man at the Top

  A man who commits murder finds the only person who can help him evade capture is more elusive than he thought

• Season 2 Episode 15: The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby

  A woman learns her husband has killed off his three previous wives : forcing her to outwit him if she doesn't want to become his next victim. Robert Lang and Elizabeth Spriggs star

• Season 2 Episode 14: Back for Christmas

  A murder victim leaves a few surprises for his killer. Laurence Payne stars

• Season 2 Episode 13: Mr. Botibol's First Love

  A man dreams of conducting an orchestra, and his fantasies become reality with the help of a young woman

• Season 2 Episode 12: Genesis & Catastrophe

  A couple rejoice when they finally bring a child into the world : but their celebrations may be premature

• Season 2 Episode 11: The Umbrella Man

  A well-dressed old man sells his umbrella claiming he needs money for the fare home : but then spends it in a pub. John Mills and Michael Gambon star

• Season 2 Episode 10: Depart in Peace

  An art collector battles with two beautiful women, in a story laced with greed and deceit. Drama, starring Joseph Cotten, Gloria Grahame and Maureen O'Brien

• Season 2 Episode 9: Georgy Porgy

  A seductive mother decides to live life to the full - but her domineering tactics threaten to push her daughter over the edge. Drama, starring Joan Collins and John Alderton

• Season 2 Episode 8: My Lady Love, My Dove

  A trickster gets her comeuppance after playing an evil joke at the expense of a caring couple. Drama, starring Elaine Strich

• Season 2 Episode 7: Taste

  A man discovers a vintage wine and impulsively gambles that no one will be able to name it. Drama, starring Ron Moody

• Season 2 Episode 6: Fat Chance

  A man plots to kill his overweight wife, but his ingenious plan goes awry. Drama, with John Castle, Sheila Gish and Miriam Margolyes

• Season 2 Episode 5: Poison

  A deadly snake strikes in the heat of Kashmir, keeping a teacher prisoner

• Season 2 Episode 4: The Hitch-Hiker

  A fast car enthusiast picks up a hitch-hiker - but trouble lies ahead

• Season 2 Episode 3: Galloping Foxley

  A man is haunted by an unhappy childhood and taunted by school bullies - and a stranger on a train could be responsible for his misery. Drama, starring John Mills and Anthony Steel

• Season 2 Episode 2: Skin

  A financially challenged man learns the tattoo on his back is priceless. Drama, starring Derek Jacobi

• Season 2 Episode 1: Royal Jelly

  A couple rely on home-made medicine to treat their sickly child - with frightening results. Drama, starring Susan George and Timothy West

Tales of the Unexpected: Season 1

• Season 1 Episode 9: The Way Up to Heaven

  A woman who worries about being late is taunted by her husband : especially when a proposed trip to America seems doomed after a series of delays

• Season 1 Episode 8: A Dip in the Pool

  An American tourist stakes everything on the biggest gamble of his life

• Season 1 Episode 7: Edward the Conqueror

  A housewife befriends a stray cat and suddenly finds her life begins to change

• Season 1 Episode 6: Neck

  A butler plots vengeance on his master's bed-hopping mistress. Drama, starring John Gielgud, Joan Collins and Peter Bowles

• Season 1 Episode 5: The Landlady

  A landlady appears kind and friendly - but her last two guests disappeared two years ago

• Season 1 Episode 4: Lamb to the Slaughter

  The killing of a policeman proves baffling : the murder weapon cannot be determined, nor can it be found. Susan George and Brian Blessed star

• Season 1 Episode 3: William and Mary

  A woman's dead husband continues to dominate his wife after death by persuading a surgeon to perform a macabre experiment. Elaine Stritch and Marius Goring star

• Season 1 Episode 2: Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

  An unfaithful wife receives a mink coat from her lover - and must explain the gift to her husband's satisfaction

• Season 1 Episode 1: Man From the South

  Anthology of stories that end in a twist, beginning with Man From the South, by Roald Dahl. A flamboyant stranger urges a man into making a frightening bet. Jose Ferrer stars