The essential episodes of The Durrells
Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Durrells — each pick states its reason.
- 01
In 1935, beleaguered Bournemouth mother Louisa Durrell decides to uproot her family and build a new life on the sun-drenched island of Corfu. However, with money problems and four unruly children to care for, even a new start might not be enough to banish her troubles.
- 02
Larry falls dangerously ill, and it falls to Theo and his neighbour Sven to put their rudimentary medical skills to the task of saving his life. The family's money worries continue, but Spiros brings them good news from a surprising source. Gerry adds to his growing menagerie, while Margo is emotionally wounded - but gets little sympathy from Leslie.
- 03
Margo takes great pride in her new job at the surgery, but after a chance encounter with a recluse, she begins to realise where her greatest talent lies. Louisa grows closer to Sven, but as Gerry befriends a convict and Leslie begins spending all his time in the local bars, she begins to suspect she has made a mistake bringing her children to Corfu.
- 04
Leslie falls in with a bad crowd and ends up being falsely accused of armed robbery, prompting Louisa to take desperate measures to save him. Margo takes a shine to a gardener at the Villa Mavrodaki, Captain Creech returns, and the family realises the extent of Gerry's passion for animals when he turns his bedroom into a centre for scientific learning.
- 05
Louisa tries to raise some money by selling homemade food, which attracts the attention of another Englishman. However, a former lover threatens the family's idyllic existence. Gerry comes up with a plan to breed otters, Leslie accidentally shoots Roger, and Margo considers becoming a nun.
- 06
Larry's latest novel is being published in England - but his siblings do not seem to be very impressed, his mother is more concerned with baking food to sell at the market, and even his attempts to show off in a local bar go unnoticed. Louisa attempts to make it up to him by organising a public reading. Leslie overhears Pavlos explaining to Margo how he makes liquor out of kumquats, and decides to launch a business venture brewing his own - but his sister does not approve of stealing the monk's recipe.
- 07
Celebrating her birthday motivates Louisa to adopt a more youthful look. Gerry has a bewildering time with Kralefsky.
- 08
Sparring for Louisa's attention, Hugh and Spiros decide to hold a cricket match between the Greeks and the Brits.
- 09
Hugh poses a life-changing question to Louisa, only to find himself a victim of Vasilia's jealousy.
- 10
In the Series 3 finale, Leslie and Margo have news about their relationships, and as Louisa and Spiro grow closer, a circus comes to town.
- 11
Louisa throws herself into running her boarding house, but mysterious guest Lazaros Vangelatos places the villa under police scrutiny.
- 12
Louisa finds herself fending off unexpected romantic advances. Leslie's arranged hunt for new guest, Colonel Ribbindane, doesn't quite go to plan when his past revisits him.
- 13
Louisa's plan for a family picnic to Kalami goes awry when she inadvertently invites Spiros's wife. The Durrells are surprised to discover Captain Creech's new business venture.
- 14
The residents of Corfu are excited at the prospect of an imminent official visit from the King of Greece, and the Durrells are keen to get themselves involved with the welcoming committee. Leslie takes over leadership of a scout troop. Love may also be in the air for Margo as she makes her return home to the island.
- 15
With storm clouds gathering, the islanders realise they can no longer ignore the rumblings of war, just as it looks as though the Durrells - particularly Louisa and Spiros - may have found their happy ending. Larry marks his return by throwing an audacious play for the locals, but there are surprises for every member of the family. Series finale.
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