Love for Lydia (1977) (Episode 9)

Part 9 of 13 of the period drama from 1977. The group of friends are devastated by one of their number and Richardson is racked with guilt at his involvement. Seeking solace away, he ends up staying with Tom Holland on his farm and helping him out. It revives hope for his sister Nancy that she can be reunited with Richardson, but things are complicated by Lydia's attentions turning to Tom, annoying both Nancy and Richardson. And little does Tom realize that an act of kindness by him towards a bullied local girl will cause such trouble when tongues start wagging... Starring Christopher Blake, Mel Martin, Sherrie Hewson, Peter Davison, Beatrix Lehmann, Rachel Kempson, Michael Aldridge, Wendy Gifford, Ralph Arliss, Irene Richard, Ruby Head, Christopher Hancock, Patricia Leach, David Ryall, Hedger Wallace, Richard Grant, David Steuart, Fiona Duncan, Laura Graham and Ronald Forfar. Episode 9 and Love For Lydia kills it's most charismatic character - yes, Jeremy Irons is no more, falling into the river without his water wings and making everybody hate Richardson (is that hard?). It's a devastating blow not only to the group but the series in general, as he was a shot in the arm to a series that has taken an age to get going. As it is, Richardson seeks solace with decent farmer's boy Tom (Peter Davison), raising hopes for poor Nancy that they may be able to revive their relationship again. But the groups fortunes are about to change again, and this time it is an act of kindness rather than spite that will have unwitting repercussions for them.