In the opening episode of the second season You’ll Never Understand Women Joe and Susan are going through one of their “living apart” spells but with a new Chairman taking over at the company he works for he begins to think he would be better served being part of a functioning marriage once more. Susan has returned home to Yorkshire where she is growing friendly with old flame Paul Harmsworth luckily for Joe though he has to return to his home town Doveton and manages to persuade Susan to give their marriage another try. Unfortunately it’s too late and Joe finds himself out of a job.
Superb opening episode, new title sequence but same highly groovy theme music. There is fabulous dialogue as always between Joe and Susan “you’re looking well”, “the bruises have all gone”. There is a chance for Joe to turn reflective too taking Susan around some of their old haunts in a bid to win her back.
New actors take on the roles of Joe’s son Harry and his father in law Abe Brown and guest appearances from Gareth Thomas as an oily striker and Edward Petherbridge as a business rival of Joe’s.
classic quote
Finch: Couldn’t they have booked us into a hotel in Doveton?
Joe: No
Finch: Why not?
Joe: There isn’t one
production details
UK | ITV Network – Thames
RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes | AIRDATE: 5 June 1972
WRITERS: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley | DIRECTOR: Mike Vardy
Man At The Top Season Two Episode One
cast
KENNETH HAIGH as Joe Lampton
ZENA WALKER as Susan Lampton
EDWARD PETHERBRIDGE as Leonard Finch
PAUL HARDWICK as Abe Brown
BRENDAN PRICE as Harry
DONALD PICKERING as Paul Harmsworth
JACK WOOLGAR as Harold Bolton
LINDA MARLOWE as Diana Charlton
RICHARD BUTLER as Ernest Lewis
JOHN COLLIN as Frank Napier
GARETH THOMAS as Dave Croxley
ADRIENNE FRANK as Marylyn
MARC BOYLE as Policeman
