Mapp & Lucia

Rating: 6
Cast: Geraldine McEwan, Prunella Scales, Nigel Hawthorne, Denis Lill, Mary MacLeod

Deliciously mannered satire

Mapp & Lucia is a British television comedy, based on E. F. Benson's novels, beginning with the eponymous 1931 entry for series 1, with Lucia's Progress and Trouble for Lucia for series 2. Mrs Emmeline Lucas (nicknamed Lucia) has just moved to the small English town of Tilling where she comes into conflict with the social ambitions of Miss Elizabeth Mapp. Until now, Miss Mapp has led (and controlled) the social life of Tilling, but that was before they met Lucia.

Comedy

Seasons

1. The Village Fete

Air Date: 1985-04-14

Still mourning the death of her husband nine months ago Lucia decides to get away from the village where she lives for a while and rent a place in another part of England. She takes her best friend, Georgie, along with her and they both fall in love with the place. They decide that they will both rent places there for the summer and return to home to participate in the village fete before moving out.

2. Battle Stations

Air Date: 1985-04-21

Lucia and Georgie move to their rented homes in Tilling and it is not long before Lucia and Miss Mapp are competing against each other in games of oneupmanship.

3. The Italian Connection

Air Date: 1985-04-28

Lucia holds her garden party, in Mapp's garden, and it is a success. Her happiness is soon brought back to earth when Mapp gleefully tells her that the Contessa Faraglione is coming to visit Tilling and that the two of them will be able to talk Italian to each other. When he hears this news Georgie starts to panic, after all if she speaks Italian to him, or Lucia, it will soon become apparent that, despite what they have told everyone, he cannot speak Italian and that Lucia knows very little more.

4. Lobster Pots

Air Date: 1985-05-05

Lucia decides that life in Tilling is more exciting then her home village and finds a small place to buy. Georgie is upset by this and has to decide whether he wants to do the same. A party at Lucia's new home leads to Mapp trying anything she can to get hold of Lucia's recipe for Lobster. This leads to the two of them finding themselves stuck in the house during a raging flood.

5. The Owl and the Pussycat

Air Date: 1985-05-12

After months lost at sea, Mapp and Lucia return to Tilling, much to the surprise of all the residents who had thought that they had died. They both plan evenings where they will tell their memoirs of their adventure, versions that differ quite dramatically from each other.

1. Winner Takes All

Air Date: 1986-05-03

Georgie has shingles so Lucia lets him stay at Grebe. After dabbling in the stock market Lucia's shares in the South African gold mine Siriami pay dividends and other Tilling residents join in. Everybody profits except Mapp and Major Benjy. Mapp and Lucia stand against each other for seats on the local council.

2. Change and Change About

Air Date: 1986-05-10

Neither Mapp nor Lucia win a seat at the local election. Mapp and Major Benjy are strapped for cash. Lucia proposes that they swap houses and is excited when she believes that she has discovered ancient artifacts buried at Mallards.

3. Lady Bountiful

Air Date: 1986-05-17

Lucia donates money to restore the Tilling church organ and to several local charities. She is also offered a seat on the town council. Mapp and Benjy, still living at Grebe, are flooded out and are forced to move in with Lucia. Lucia has stunning news.

4. Worship

Air Date: 1986-05-24

Lucia marries Georgie and is made the mayor of Tilling. She selects Mapp as Lady Mayoress.

5. Au Reservoir

Air Date: 1986-05-31

Lucia and Georgie travel to London and they meet Poppy who is interested in Georgie. Quaint Irene's portrait of Lucia as mayor is rejected while Irene's painting of Mapp has been declared the picture of the year. Lucia plots to regain her superiority as the social queen of Tilling.

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