When the Boat Comes In — Season 1, Episode 12: Heads You Win, Tails I Lose

Episode synopsis

To the annoyance of her husband, Jessie has been nominated for the Labour Party executive and Jack antagonises Dolly – who senses an ulterior motive in backing her. Jessie's nomination is successful. She has a bright pupil, Robert Armstrong, for whom she is seeking a scholarship and romance seems to be in the air between Matt and Robert's mother Lizzie. However, Lizzie is independent and rejects Matt after securing a well-paid cleaning job. Meanwhile, Tom is on the run, wanted for theft and illegal gambling, and Jack, having patched things up with Dolly, plans to help him escape to London.

About When the Boat Comes In

When the Boat Comes In is a British television period drama produced by the BBC between 8 January 1976 and 21 April 1981. Taking place between 1919 to 1937, Jack Ford is a veteran of The Great War who returns to his poverty-stricken (fictional) town of Gallowshield in the North East of England. It dramatises the interwar political struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, and explores the impact of national and international politics upon Ford and those around him.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1A Land Fit for Heroes and Idiots
• E2Say Hello... Say Tirra
• E3Fish in Woolly Jumpers
• E4Swords and Pick Handles
• E5Coal Comfort
• E6Empire Day on the Slag Heap
• E7A First Time for Everything
• E8Paddy Boyle's Discharge
• E9Angel on Horseback
• E10King for a Day
• E11Happy New Year, Some Say
• E13Kind Hearted Rat with a Lifebelt