The Brothers: The Bonus (BBC-1 11 Apr 1976, Liza Goddard)

In The Bonus Merroney is going all out to crack the merger with Van Der Merwe and is keeping things very close to his chest, much to the supreme annoyance of the rest of the board. The only thing standing in his way is the bonus that Van Der Merwe has offered Hammonds – a large scale factory worth at least one and a half million pounds – the only problem is – the tax man doesn’t know about it.

Meanwhile on the personal front April Winter makes her first appearance and Merroney is forced to announce to Ted and Clare that she is his fiancee, Clare finally realises that she needs to be get away from Merroney once and for all. She hands in her notice and this time means it.

Merroney is such a fascinating character, he elicits sympathy whilst at the same time you want to give him a damn good telling off. Liza Goddard makes her first appearance as the future Mrs Merroney and manages to annoy every one she comes into contact with (which to be fair is only David and Clare). Brian and Jane also manage to move their relationship to the next level after compiling a budget report at the airfield with some very nicely played scenes between Kate O’Mara (who is never given enough credit for her acting skills) and Richard Easton, it is clear Brian is still far from over his breakdown and it is clear Jane knows just how to handle him.

production details
UK / BBC-1 / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 11 April 1976

Writer: Ray Jenkins / Production Design: Myles Lang / Director: Timothy Combe

The Brothers Season Six Episode Twelve

main cast
JEAN ANDERSON as Mary Hammond
RICHARD EASTON as Brian Hammond
ROBIN CHADWICK as David Hammond
JENNIFER WILSON as Jennifer Hammond
DEREK BENFIELD as Bill Riley
KATE O’MARA as Jane Maxwell
COLIN BAKER as Paul Merroney
MARGARET ASHCROFT as Gwen Riley
CAROLE MOWLAM as Clare Miller

guest cast
CARLETON HOBBS as Sir Neville Henniswode
JOBY BLANSHARD as Van Der Merwe
CARMEN SAUTOY as Ika
LIZA GODDARD as April Winter
VERNON NESBETH as Ogun