Excalet

Conversations from a Long Marriage

Series Navigation

Pilot

Married couple Joanna and Roger meet in a cafe where they discuss their relationship. Joanna is struggling with her older age and having to wear a pair of glasses while Roger has returned from the doctors for his checkup with Joanna keen on the need for them to be more active. Back at home, Roger is in the bad books after being spotted being kissed by friend Sally, which leads them on to a discussion about her recent breakup with mutual friend Peter. The situation has Joanna keen on trying new things, including clubbing in Ibiza, while Roger also has his own thoughts on getting older.

At Christmas

Joanna is trying to work out the sender of a mystery Christmas card as she goes on with Roger to discuss the cards sent by other friends. Roger is jealous of Joanna being contacted by a younger acquaintance while putting up the decorations. Joanna meanwhile has plans for a romantic, spontaneous Christmas day which is all pre-planned. After a visit to the neighbours on Christmas Eve, Joanna takes to analysing the behaviour of the various couples as the snow begins to fall, to which she reveals to Roger that their plans might have to change due to a visit from friend Sally.

Series 1

1. Why Didn't You Ask Me to Dance?

Roger awakes to find Joanna talking to him again, after the previous night in which they hosted friends from dinner, and they quickly make up. Later in the day, Joanna finds that her friend Sally is back with her partner which caused her to miss last nights dinner. Later in the evening, they head out for a night with friends though Roger ends up in the bad books when he fails to ask Joanna whether she would like a dance, while his dance with Sally doesn't go unnoticed. Roger's history with Sally from when they were at school is also dragged up.

2. Sally's Your Friend

The pair are awake in the middle of the night and struggling to get to sleep, while their friend Sally is sleeping in the next room. The discussion leads to describing the loves of their younger years and talking about getting another dog. Roger is left looking after Sally's dog Bertie though he begins to fall into trouble for being too helpful, with Joanna keen on getting him to talk to her friend about some of her mannerisms around the house. When Joanna returns from pilates, Roger's continued helpfulness leads to questions about why he has been moving furniture in her room, and other events of the evening.

3. Lean On Me

Roger has had a knee operation which has Joanna struggling to help him around, as he contemplates the future of his body failing him and wonders if he will ever be fully mobile again. Joanna meanwhile tries to settle his upset state by revealing the presence of her "running away fund" which her father setup prior to her marriage should their relationship not pan out. Meanwhile, Sally's ex-partner Peter had visited with girlfriend Kirsty and their new baby while Joanna was out. This results in an argument when Roger is asked to be a godparent to the child they have named Hermes with feelings still raw over Sally.

4. Let's Spend the Night Together

Valentine's Day has arrived and is disappointed that Roger has not bought her a card again, while Joanna is keen for him to show how he feels about her. Roger is about to head out to the christening of Peter and Kirsty's child, while Joanna is still angry at the situation, and wonders how Sally must feel. Roger however has news that Sally appears to have a new partner which proves to be somewhat of a surprise to Joanna. Heading on the motorway to the christening, Roger and Joanna's travels have them stuck in traffic and recalling almost fifty years ago when they first started dating.

Series 2

1. Just the Way You Are

Joanna is upset at Roger for leaving her side early while seeing off friends Sally and Ted, while Roger works out that Joanna wants them to act like a new couple all the time. Joanna also sets about trying to improve Roger with suggestions on ways he can change, with the suggestion of going to Pilates with her roundly rejected. Joanna instead attempts to get involved in watching a football match with Roger who gives him a running commentary. Reading out to a new years party at Sally and Ted's, Joanna attempts to start the new year by complimenting Roger who thinks she is trying to tell him she is dying.

2. It's Just Work

The garden needs some work and Joanna is keen on having it landscaped, while Roger has news that friend Esther has a job offer for Joanna. Joanna however is more keen on bringing up the fact that Esther has previously had an attraction to Roger. Joanna's job turns out to be an editor for celebrity Rix Roden who proves to be egotistical and reminds her of why she left publishing. When more money is offered however, Joanna sets about making the most of the job and eventually comes to realise more about Rix, which has Roger wondering if Joanna is being turned by him.

3. Heartbreak Hotel

Friend Peter is getting married with Roger and Joanna arriving at the hotel after a long drive. Arriving the day before the event, Joanna is keen to find the perfect room as Roger struggles with the bags while Roger discovers that they have picked the bridal suite and will have to move. Joanna is less than keen on moving out of the best room as Roger is left dealing with Peter who is having second thoughts about the wedding. With Roger eventually managing to "save the marriage" by spending all night talking to him, the pair end up stuck in the same bed together.

4. If You Go Away

Joanna is being driven to hospital by Roger with chest pains which brings memories of her fathers death at sixty-two. Roger however is less concerned and proves to be correct when she is diagnosed with having drunk too many coffees. The situation leaves Joanna feeling sad about the future, with things made worse by a friend John suddently dying. Roger is asked to deliver the eulogy which gives Joanna the idea for them to discuss what they would say about each other, while she also hears words of praise when attending her zoom-call school reunion.

5. Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Roger is becoming somewhat concerned about Joanna's potential infatuation with Rix, who invites her and Roger to an event he is hosting on the effects of climate change and the book he has written with Joanna's help. Roger questions whether she is attracted to him though tries to hide his building jealousy. Several days later, Roger is in trouble when he has a drink with a former student of the female persuasion though lies about the train being late. The situation leads the pair to discuss previous threats to their relationship after Roger threatens to leave.

6. I've Been Loving You Too Long to Stop Now

Joanna and Roger struggle to find something to watch and consider whether they are boring having become stuck in a rut. Eventually they settle on listening to Round the Horne on the radio. The pair also prepare to receive a visit from friend Peter, and plan to spend the day before enjoying themselves before his arrival. However, immediately their plans begin to fall apart which further confirms to Roger that they are in a rut. Joanna also experiences a come-on from friend Ted which causes problems with his partner Sally. The situation has the pair discuss their own troubles in the past.

At Christmas Again

Roger and Joanna are enjoying dinner as Christmas is a few weeks away the two discuss plans for the festive period. Roger however finds plans have already been made. Heading to the shops, their plans begin to quickly change when friend Peter is offered use of a large house in the country and begins dishing out the invites though friends begin to drop out of attending as various maladies and incidents occur. The situation results in the pair also pulling out themselves as they receive the news that their friend Rosie has given birth while Roger gets Joanna a special present.

Series 3

1. Birthday Blues

Joanna is attempting to plan a surprise birthday party for Roger who suspects what she is planning and immediately heads off the idea. However, the party still goes ahead much to his surprise while he is half naked after he and Joanna return from a meal. Joanna's present of an electric bike also goes down badly as his preferred present of a racing bike is rejected. The two end up arguing about his increasing age and declining fitness. Eventually deciding to take a trip on the bike into town, Roger admits to having been on the bike and comes back having had an epiphany.

2. Heroes and Villains

Roger receives delivery of a high-pressure hose which has him excited for helping clean up the neighbourhood. They also have new neighbours who soon cause havoc in the street when they begin significant building works leaving Joanna to be the grumpy neighbour she was trying to avoid being. The pair head out for a picnic by the river where they are soon disturbed by a passing regatta. On returning home, they discover a large hot tub has been installed in the neighbours garden which threatens to turn the sounds of the garden into a leisure centre until Joanna has a go with the pressure hose.

3. Travelling Light

Worrying she is losing her libido due to her hormones, Joanna wakes up in an irritated mood. She also contemplates whether Sally is drifting apart from her as Roger tries to convince her that friendships also go through rocky phases. Her plans to go climbing with Marion leads Roger to discover that she will be going on the climb with Rix also joining them, which leads Roger to stew as Joanna suggests he not attend the climb due to his knee. Completing the climb, Joanna video calls Roger to announce her success and discovers that friend Di is visiting Roger while he is home alone.

4. Don't Throw Your Love Away

Roger is woken abruptly by an upset Joanna who believes he is lusting after another woman. Despite his protestations, the disagreement has her taking refuge in the spare bedroom. Roger disappears for the day before returning with news that he recent behaviour has been over his plans to get another dog named Amy. Deciding to spend a day at the beach, the pair encounter a dog where Roger gets to know the owner Maria, much to the irritation of Joanna. Returning back home, the pair are roped into babysitting.

5. Losing the Way

Joanna encounters an old friend who has aged significantly which leads to a discussion with Roger about their relationship in their younger days. Deciding to head for a weekend away in York to friends Ray and Paula which has Joanna getting lost driving around a housing estate. Eventually finding their way, the pair later discuss the significant changes since they last saw Ray and Paula who both have completely different personalities from their younger days. Spending the evening analysing their friends relationship, Roger and Joanna make a discovery about Paula.

6. Please Don't Ever Change

With another dog in the planning stages, Joanna attempts to persuade Roger to put it off suggesting that they move house to downsize. After talking to friend Di on the phone about her concerns for Roger and falling downstairs, Joanna takes a tumble herself and immediately proceeds to blame Roger for leaving a stack of books on the stairs. Returning her home to recover on the couch, Roger has to put up with a difficult patient which leads him to consider a move with Joanna now in a vulnerable state. The pair set about sorting their belongings in an attempt to declutter.

Series 4

1. She Drives Me Crazy

Roger is attempting to throw away Joanna's old newspapers and magazines though she catches him in the act, shortly before they head out to pick up the new dog. Joanna is particularly excited, while Roger is much more muted in his excitement after getting used to his freedom of not having a dog. Getting the dog home, Joanna finds training exerting her authority on the dog named Amy, difficult and begins to believe the dog has taken to Roger rather than herself. The situation compounds itself when Roger makes commitments for the dog which results in the pair not spending as much time together, while Joanna finds herself made redundant at work.

2. Let It Go

Joanna finds that Roger is adjusting the satellite dish to get a better signal and worries for his safety, before eventually managing to persuade him to come down resulting in only a minor injury. As Roger is watching an old episode of Top of the Pops, the pair take to discussing their goddaughter Jools who is going through early menopause, which has them recall their own inability to have children. Joanna also goes on to volunteer them to look after their godson which poses from problems for Roger who aches after taking some strenous exercise, while the pair each end up listening to Sally and Peter's problems.

3. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Roger is struggling to complete his crossword as he attempts to pay no attention to Joanna who storms off to the potting shed. With her lack of work, Roger also has worries about their outgoings though a letter from a talent agent has things looking up after Roger is heard giving a radio interview, however Joanna is less than keen on the idea when she discovers he will be speaking on cruise ships. Eventually agreeing to go, Roger proves to be a speaking success while Joanna is more interested in converting him into her dancing partner after Salsa lessons.

4. Every Little Thing

Roger has ordered a new set of chairs as the spring in his fails, which proves a point of contention for Joanna who wasn't consulted, as she tries to spend the evening doing nothing. Roger meanwhile has complaints about the neighbours, with one of them leaving his bins out three days before collection as Joanna accuses him of turning into a "grumpy old git" as the pair take to disagreeing on a number of items. Joanna also finds she has been scammed while the pair are waiting for friends to arrive for dinner, though their plans result in cancellation due to confusion over the date, which gives the pair a chance to relax.

5. We Are Family

Roger awakes from a nightmare which Joanna suggests was caused by a doctors appointment he is due to attend. A phone call to the landline has Roger answer to discover that his estranged Aunt Hilda who lives in Edinburgh has volunteered him for care as she refuses to go into a nursing home. Roger reveals to Joanna that Hilda is a former girlfriend of his father's and he hasn't seen her since his funeral. Joanna meanwhile comes to the conclusion that it is their duty to look after Hilda while Roger ends up having a heart attack while at the hospital.

6. This Old Heart of Mine

Finding Roger is breaking out of their usual routine on medical advice, Joanna is struggling with the changes. After being accused of selfishness, Roger manages to convince her that things are different now and that they should embrace the change. The pair take to a bicycle ride and arrive at their favourite bench in the park, where Roger has to try to convince Joanna not to mollycoddle him. Joanna receives a phone call from friend Marion who is due to come for dinner which leads Roger to discover that she is now in a lesbian relationship, which proves upsetting less than a year after her husband had died as it stirs feelings in Roger should he no longer be around.