When the Boat Comes In — Season 1, Episode 7: A First Time for Everything

Episode synopsis

Encouraged by French onion seller Pierre, Bella turns the front of the house into a shop, using some of Bill's compensation. Bill, still bound to a wheelchair, is initially hostile but sees the need for income. Jessie is impressed by the intelligence of 14-year-old pupil Ronnie and tries to dissuade him from working in the mine but his mother is a widow and he wants to earn 'man's money'. He goes to work in the pit and is killed, causing Tom, who was looking after him, to quit. Jessie gets engaged to Ashton whilst Jack weds Dolly at the registry office.

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
• E8Paddy Boyle's Discharge
• E9Angel on Horseback
• E10King for a Day
• E11Happy New Year, Some Say
• E12Heads You Win, Tails I Lose
• E13Kind Hearted Rat with a Lifebelt