Paradise Postponed/Titmuss Regained

Socially awkward and hailing from a humble background, Leslie Titmuss (David Threlfall, Shameless) ruthlessly aspires to the highest levels of society. Having lived much of his life under the wing of the kindly Reverend Simcox, Titmuss is ignored by the clergyman's sons, until they find, upon the rector's death, he has willed the family fortune to Titmuss. Was Reverend Simcox mad-or is there a darker explanation? Kristin Scott Thomas, Zoe Wanamaker and Annette Crosbie also star in this gripping family saga penned by Sir John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey). As seen on Masterpiece Theatre.

PARADISE POSTPONED
Vol. 1
Episode 1: Death of a Saint
From the time Leslie Titmuss was a young boy, the Reverend Simcox encouraged his endeavors. Now an accounts clerk at the Simcox brewery, Titmuss shows every sign of being on the way up. The same can't be said of the rector's sons, Henry and Fred, who appear to be on a downward track.

Episode 2: The Temptation of Henry Simcox
The relationship between Fred, the jazz-drumming medical student, and Agnes, the local doctor's daughter, starts to hit a sore note. Meanwhile, Henry finds out that he and his brother have more in common than either could have guessed. And Titmuss makes his own moves on the romantic front.

Episode 3: Chez Titmuss
Fred's relationship with Agnes's father, Dr. Salter, improves even as his affair with Agnes ends. Titmuss's romance with Charlotte Fanner, on the other hand, goes from strength to strength, but both sets of parents disapprove.

Disc 2
PARADISE POSTPONED
Vol. 2

Episode 4: Living in the Past
Henry and Agnes get married and have a child, and the brothers finally reconcile. But as he's coming to terms with his current life, Fred also begins to probe some mysteries of his past. Always looking to the future, Leslie Titmuss engineers a victory for the hated Labour Party in the parliamentary election.

Episode 5: The Wrongs of Man
The death of a local poacher is thought to be accidental. But Fred isn't convinced. Why did Dr. Salter always pretend he didn't know the man? The good doctor and the poacher share more in common than meets the eye-and seem destined for the same fate.

Episode 6: The Lost Leader
Titmuss eyes the Conservative Party nomination for the parliamentary seat recently lost to the socialists. First, though, he has to maneuver a rival out of the way. Then his wife, Charlotte, threatens to thwart his chances.

Disc 3
PARADISE POSTPONED
Vol. 3
Episode 7: And a Happy New Year to You, Too!
The extended Simcox clan gathers at the rectory for Christmas, while the Titmusses join the Fanners. But the season's goodwill proves in short supply. Agnes learns disturbing news about Henry, now a successful novelist. By New Year's Eve, tensions threaten to erupt into open hostilities.

Episode 8: Enigma Variations
Dr. Slater finally breathes his last, as if Leslie Titmuss being a member of Parliament is too much for him to bear. His daughter Agnes, meanwhile, tires of Henry's infidelities and walks out. And Fred, grown disenchanted with the woman in his life, leaves as well.

Episode 9: The Gods of the Copy Book Headings
It's election time again for Leslie Titmuss, MP, and he hits the stumps. A father now, he's determined to get young Nicholas into the best of boarding schools, which creates more friction with his wife. Titmuss encourages Charlotte to find interests outside the home, but her new cause has tragic results.

Disc 4
PARADISE POSTPONED
Vol. 4

Episode 10: Faith Unfaithful
Titmuss has recovered politically from his wife's death, but moves are afoot to unseat him. Henry also targets Titmuss, determined to contest Reverend Simcox's will in court. Fred, however, is equally adamant that the court case not be based on his father's insanity.

Episode 11: Simcox Inheritance
Fred finally learns the truth about his father-and that the Simcox, Fanner, and Titmuss families are linked in a way that no one could have imagined. Truths of all sorts catch up with Leslie Titmuss as well, who risks losing both his fortune and his political career.

BONUS: Biography of author John Mortimer.

Disc 5
TITMUSS REGAINED

Episode 1: Today
Titmuss acquires a stately home in the beautiful, unspoiled Rapstone Valley-and intends for Jenny Sidonia to help him fill it. Both are widowed and unattached, but otherwise appear incompatible. Titmuss has even less in common with his new neighbors, who are fighting a development plan for the valley.
Episode 2: Tomorrow
Newly married, Mr. and Mrs. Titmuss honeymoon in Rome. But their marital bliss is disturbed by Titmuss's suspicion that Jenny has someone else in her life. When they return home, she seems to be spending a little too much time with Dr. Fred Simcox, leader of the "Save Our Valley" campaign.

Episode 3: And the next day...
Titmuss addresses the threat posed by his ambitious and scheming junior minister, but he's preoccupied by the man competing for his wife's affections. Titmuss goes to extraordinary lengths to discover all he can about his rival. When he confronts Jenny, their relationship-like Rapstone Valley itself-faces startling developments.

Paradise Postponed

Directed by Alvin Rakoff
Written by John Mortimer
Produced by Jacqueline Davis
Executive Produced by Johnny Goodman, Lloyd Shirley,br> Original Music by Roger Webb

Titmuss Regained

Directed by Martyn Friend
Written by John Mortimer
Produced by Jacqueline Davis,br> Executive Produced by Lloyd Shirley, Brian Walcroft
Original Music by Nigel Hess