The essential episodes of Benidorm
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Benidorm — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A new batch of holiday-makers arrive at the Solana resort, including Lancashire's reigning pub quiz champion, the Oracle, and his doting mum - who he refers to as his PA. Meanwhile, the Garvey family have to contend with their foul-mouthed, chain-smoking grandma and children who do not appreciate the hot weather.
- 02
Madge gives the wrong impression to Donald and Jacqueline, resulting in an awkward bedroom encounter. Troy gets drunk and flirts with Mateo, and the Oracle tries to demonstrate his pool-playing prowess to Chantelle. Meanwhile, in Neptune's, Janice has her suspicions about Susie.
- 03
Mick forces his family to enter a pub quiz with a big cash prize, and is shocked to win the money. A furious Oracle demands a recount - and turns nasty when his request is refused. Madge fails to keep quiet after Kate tells her about Martin's infertility, and Donald tries to reassure Gavin about Troy.
- 04
The Garveys have a trip to the beach, where a cash-strapped Mick falls victim to a con, and later receives even worse news from a mystery photographer. Martin tells Kate he thinks her fling with Mateo has livened up their relationship, and the Oracle decides it is time he stopped going on holiday with his mum.
- 05
Holiday fever takes its toll as Madge seems determined - despite Janice's pleas - to marry a man she has only known for five minutes, while an arm-wrestling match dreamed up by the Oracle and his mum provides a chance to settle old scores.
- 06
The gang sets off on what is believed to be a free trip to see a bullfight - an experience that upsets the animal-lovers but brings out the savage in Madge. Meanwhile, Telle strikes up an unlikely friendship with the Oracle.
- 07
The gang returns for a goodwill stay at the Solana after being held hostage by drug dealers on their last holiday. Mel recruits Mick to run his new mobility shop, the Oracle's search for love goes on and Martin appears to have ditched wife Kate for a younger model.
- 08
The Garveys arrive to stay at Madge's luxury villa, only to discover she has sold it to a TV personality and promptly disappeared. While Troy nurses his ailing father back at home, Gavin turns up at the Solana resort with a new companion - his salon underling Kenneth - who seems determined to take advantage of the free food, and Mateo struggles to get used to his surprising new colleague at the pool bar.
- 09
A new manager arrives at the Solana determined to transform it into a four-star hotel, but the start of the holiday season proves chaotic for the staff as well as the guests. Mate and Les/Lesley are barely keeping things under control, while a coachload of angry tourists, including Gavin and Noreen, have all had their luggage misplaced by a travel company.
- 10
When hunky Jason Gallagher (former Brookside star Philip OIivier) turns up at the Solana looking for work, Mateo gives him short shrift, telling him there are no jobs available. However, when the barman skives off, the newcomer seizes the opportunity to stand in for him without permission, and quickly attracts a crowd with his cocktail-making skills. Manager Joyce is impressed and offers him a week's trial, but Mateo is soon battling to reclaim the limelight. Meanwhile, Tiger leads Michael astray by persuading him to help steal the hotel's all-inclusive wristbands and sell them in town.
- 11
The Garveys meet Buck A Roo, who reveals that a multimillion-pound inheritance is Madge's for the taking, but they're not convinced. Kenneth asks a clairvoyant customer, Psychic Sue, to hold a seance to contact his mother, but the message he receives appears to be for someone else. A sympathetic Jacqueline starts to get bored with Glynn's stories, while Clive makes the most of the single life.
- 12
Sammy Valentino, the compare of the Pride of Benidorm awards causes some trouble. Jodi's acting career gets a massive boost. Blow & Go are joined by a new stylist. Crystal has a special performance.
- 13
Rob tries to make use of Loretta's swanky Beltoro hotel room but the rest of the family have their own elaborate plans for some of her 5 star luxury. Kenneth has bridges to build and is Sam up to something? Guest George Shelley.
- 14
Noreen senses that her more glamorous identical twin Doreen is about, while Sammy is still giddy from his comeback performance and decides to make his Neptune's debut. Elsewhere, Rob races against time to get his beautiful Cyd back, prompted by Mateo's terrible wisdom.
- 15
It's all go as another Summer holiday draws to a close - the Dawsons get mixed up in a strike at the airport as they try to return home and encounter a snotty holiday rep. Sam can't decide if to stay with Joey or return to her ex boyfriend. Grandad Dawson has a shock for the family, Ron Pickford is alive! Joyce gets a shock when she hears the Solana Resort is up for sale and has a potential new buyer, will they all be out of jobs? Holly Johnson entertains the holidaymakers at Neptunes.
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