Henry was divorced seven years ago and, apart from the daily visits of his cleaning lady Mrs. Thompson, he has grown accustomed to living alone. The sudden arrival of his teenaged son Matthew disturbs the quiet orderly running of his home.
Henry and Matthew's differences in age and taste are constant and comic irritants in their daily confrontations, but they rise to new levels when the subject of education is raised and they must choose a school for Matthew.
When Matthew brings a girlfriend home, the cleaning lady finds incriminating evidence in his bedroom.
When Henry's next door neighbour's son returns from college, comparisons between Matthew and the student are inevitable. But while the neighbour boy might look to be industrious, considerate, well-mannered and a great sportsman, Matthew knows the truth.
Wine is chilling, candlesticks are on the table and Henry has shaved. Who is coming to dinner? Matthew attempts to find out.
As most young people are, Matthew is desperate for money, but his father refuses to invest in his future unless he finds more suitable employment.
It's Henry's wedding anniversary, but after seven years of separation there is nothing to celebrate, so he goes to the club. While he is out, Matthew welcomes a special guest into his father's home.
Henry and Matthew's relationship is strained further when Matthew becomes an animal rights activist.
Henry comes home to find the house full of Matthew's friends—more of an orgy than a party, says Henry—but rather than throw them all out, he joins in with hilarious results.
Matthew inherits a large sum of money, but finds it impossible to hold on to. Matthew opens a bank account, but how long can he withstand the temptation of ATMs and credit cards?
Henry is stunned to find Matthew wearing makeup, and even more stunned when he finds out Matthew wants to become an actor. Matthew has joined the college drama group to play Othello, with a married woman as his Desdemona. Henry is horrified at the result.
Henry suffers every father's nightmare—teaching his son to drive. Inevitably, Henry's pristine new car begins to show signs of stress.
Prospective candidate Henry is opposed by an attractive woman in the election, creating a quandary for first-time voter Matthew.
Matthew's sister Julie decides to stay, but Henry and Matthew soon find that three's a crowd.
Henry and Matthew's search for a new cleaning lady is undermined by their disagreements about employee qualifications.
Henry's brother decides to pay a rare visit to the Willows household. Matthew is impressed with young, single, successful Uncle Edward, but Henry has difficulty expressing brotherly love.
Matthew goes ghost hunting in the spare room. Henry is skeptical and refuses to believe Matthew's claim that there is life on the other side, until Matthew takes him to an abandoned railway station which is supposedly haunted.
Why is Matthew tingling in the morning? Henry gives him the benefit of his experience with women and love, but, not surprisingly, the advice doesn't really help. Father and son quickly discover that the path of true love runs anything but smoothly.
Henry becomes paranoid about security and joins the neighbourhood watch.
A visit to an optician and an ear surgeon make Henry feel his age. Matthew decides he ought to do more for old people so he adopts Shady Gray and gives him food and shelter, but is Shady all he seems?
Matthew seems doomed to fail his exams until his pal comes up with a crafty scheme. But who is more worried about these exams, Matthew or Henry?
There's a full menu of seasonal fare in store for this special Christmas edition. Henry is planning an intimate Yuletide break for two with his girlfriend Cynthia at a posh hotel. But his children arrive expecting Christmas to be a real family affair.
A voice from the past sets Henry thinking of romance. Matthew tries to help him regain his lost youth and that's when trouble starts.
Henry suggests that Matthew look for a part-time job to supplement his tiny grant cheque. But when Matthew turns up as the new post boy at his father's company, Henry's problems multiply.
Henry has high expectations for his daughter Julie. So when she arrives for the weekend with boyfriend Robin, Henry checks him out carefully. Henry is convinced there is an engagement planned, but Matthew is more skeptical.
When Henry agrees to take in a lodger, Matthew is pleased at the prospect of having some young blood around the house. But Matthew is aghast to discover that the new lodger is the curate. Not only do meal times take on a spiritual air, but Henry decides that it is time that they both became reacquainted with the local church.
Henry doesn't think much of foreign vacations. Instead he decides, much to Matthew's dismay, that Britain is best and the pair should retrace old steps in sunny Clagthorpe with the kindly guest house owner Mrs. Blackett. Will Clagthorpe be the holiday paradise Henry remembers?
Matthew's involvement with the local boxing champion's girlfriend leads to a fight. He is horrified to find that Henry is up for it.
Matthew is set to leave for college, and Henry is far from sad—he's been looking forward to this day for a long time.
