Rab C Nesbitt - Episode Guide

Episode: S01 Special | Airdate: Dec 31, 1989

"See me, see you, see Christmas?" - Naked Video's bandaged philosopher Rab C Nebitt explains why the festive season makes him "no-well."

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Sep 27, 1990

Sitcom featuring Naked Video's ranting philosopher Rab C Nesbitt. In this first episode the unthinkable happens: Rab gets a job.

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Oct 4, 1990

Mary discovers a rat in the kitchen, which Rab thoughtfully exterminates. Plus, it's by-election time in Nesbittland, so Rab finds himself being bribed by the local candidates.

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Oct 11, 1990

Glasgow is named European City of Culture, playing host to international artistic acts and Rab and Jamesie get into the spirit by starting a fight with a Peruvian folk band, for which they get sentenced to ten days in Barlinnie prison. On release Jamesie organizes his own 'sub-culture' tour, showing the seamy side of Glasgow, whilst Rab and his sons inadvertently expose the weaknesses of the city council to a pair of visiting European ambassadors.

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Oct 18, 1990

Rab is diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and is given a serious medical ultimatum: either quit drinking or face death within a year. He doesn't heed the warning.

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Oct 25, 1990

Gash hot foots it to Sidcup in search of his heart's desire. Rab in hot pursuit trails behind with the hope of meeting up with more members of the Nesbitt clan.

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Nov 1, 1990

Mary wins a holiday for four to Spain. Leading the Nesbitt's to join the Cotter's on their first holiday abroad.

Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Dec 31, 1990

Rab manages to wangle tickets to see Scotland play in the World Cup in Italy, but only on the condition that he takes along elderly and sick football legend Matt Fernie.

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: May 14, 1992

Scotland's string-vested street philosopher Rab C Nesbitt returns for second series. In this first episode he sets off to the Highlands for a weekend getaway.

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: May 21, 1992

Having been rejected by their spouses, Rab and Jamesie are forced to move into a grotty bedsit together. Whilst there, the pair reminisce about Rab's 1962 schooldays, recalling cruel teachers and first loves.

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: May 28, 1992

Following a serious domestic incident in which Mary stabs Rab in the back, the Nesbitt children are taken into care. Rab is so upset by social services intervention that he can hardly eat his all time favourite food: the spam fritter.

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Jun 4, 1992

Govan's version of Hannibal Lector, Young Young McGurn, unleashes his wrath on the Nesbitts and Cotters, with Jamesie the main prey having dated McGurn's daughter.

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Jun 11, 1992

Rab intervenes in a dosser's suicide attempt and saves him. He then invites the man to stay at his home, but things soon become nasty when the man refuses to leave.

Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Jun 18, 1992

Religion is rife in Govan and Rab becomes acutely aware of this when he runs into devil worshippers at the local pub. His disapproval of their faith is met with a bad luck curse.

Episode: S02 Special | Airdate: Dec 31, 1992

It's Hogmanay, so Mary's cousin Shug and his wife leave behind their English home to visit the Nesbitt's for the festivities. Shug makes the most of the visit.

Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Nov 23, 1993

It's summertime and the living is queasy, with Mary at Death's door. Rab decides to take the kids to Blackpool.

Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Nov 16, 1993

Mary lands a job with a lecherous boss and Rab, fearing she may dump him, turns to his pal Jamesie Cotter for advice on improving his love life. At the pub, Norrie has employed a new barmaid, Davina, who is in the process of changing sex, and the guys are having confused feelings about her. Davina covers for Mary at work and the boss propositions her only to find out that she's a man.

Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Nov 30, 1993

A strange new affliction is visited on the Nesbitt household. Rab's younger son Burney has been diagnosed as gifted and begins attending weekend classes for advanced tuition. But as his talent blossoms, so do the thorns of jealousy and resentment, as Rab and elder son Gash are left hungry in the emotional wasteland.

Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Dec 7, 1993

Savage rhetoric from Scotland's string-vested, beer-guzzling sage. With Ella's biological clock ticking loudly and husband Jamesie less potent than a seedless orange, parenthood seems a pretty unlikely prospect. Fortunately, Rab offers to supply the wherewithal needed for such a delicate operation.

Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Dec 14, 1993

Rab decides to behave respectably on his release from jail. But with Burney adopting fascist tendencies, Gash on drugs, Mary at her wits end and a new Tory local councillor to boot, will Rab's fresh outlook escape the tarnish of a world spinning out of control?

Episode: 3x06 | Airdate: Dec 21, 1993

Rab reaches his lowest point after being thrown into solitary confinement. Bad news for him, but even worse for the poor jailbird who was in there already. For when jail is overcrowded, solitary means two.

Episode: 4x01 | Airdate: Sep 19, 1994

Burney moves out only to later find that his cousin Screech has replaced him, and Rab is out on his ear again after feigning an epileptic fit to avoid declaring his love for Mary.

Episode: 4x02 | Airdate: Sep 26, 1994

Still estranged from Mary but living more up-market, Rab hears of his mother's death. To make matters even worse, he discovers that Mary has taken in a young and handsome lodger.

Episode: 4x03 | Airdate: Oct 3, 1994

Rab and Jamesie make a pilgrimage to Buckfast Abbey in Devon, the spiritual home of the elixir of Scottish urban life. Meanwhile Ella pines for her lost love, Frank.

Episode: 4x04 | Airdate: Oct 10, 1994

Rab has an eye test but refuses to wear the glasses he is prescribed, so he struggles to watch a blue movie. Mary visits a male strip show, before being recalled for a smear test.

Episode: 4x05 | Airdate: Oct 17, 1994

Gaelic TV can't believe their luck in finding a local story to report when they discover that two Govan residents, Rab and Jamesie, are being held on separate murder charges.

Episode: 4x06 | Airdate: Oct 24, 1994

The brewery has organised a charity walk across Scotland, but Norrie the barman can't find any volunteers. He's forced to bribe the locals with free drink.

Episode: S04 Special | Airdate: Dec 19, 1994

Christmas Special in which Rab is under a spell of anxiety and ambivalence at the prospect of becoming a father in law to Gash's fiance, and Jamesie is out on his ear again.

Episode: 5x01 | Airdate: Jan 5, 1996

Love is in the air as Rab and Mary's 20th wedding anniversary approaches, but as Rab sobers up after the season's festivities he realises their marriage is on the rocks.

Episode: 5x02 | Airdate: Jan 12, 1996

Rab and Mary visit the Lake District to enjoy a restful and replenishing holiday and to recharge their marital flame. However things quickly sour when toxic waste is dumped nearby.

Episode: 5x03 | Airdate: Jan 19, 1996

Lady Luck finally smiles on the Nesbitt household when they win the pools. Jamesie and Ella's relationship is in trouble when he has a fling with a teenager.

Episode: 5x04 | Airdate: Jan 26, 1996

Mary's cousin, Shug, is determined to improve local Govan eating habits. But his plans lead to trouble with local hoodlums.

Episode: 5x05 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1996

The Nesbitts are accused of being nuisance neighbours. To clear their name they decide to appear on a US style chat show.

Episode: 5x06 | Airdate: Feb 9, 1996

Rab and long-lost brother, Gash Sr. reunite during a chance encounter. As they re-bond, the siblings recall memories of their unhappy childhood, in particular their violent father.

Episode: 6x01 | Airdate: Aug 1, 1997

Crisis hits the Nesbitt household when Rab's benefit is suspended. So why isn't Mary worried? A mini crimewave may hold the answer.

Episode: 6x02 | Airdate: Aug 8, 1997

Rab has acquired an allotment, but his family and friends pour scorn on his new-found interest in gardening. Mary seeks excitement with old flame Frankie Brammer.

Episode: 6x03 | Airdate: Aug 15, 1997

First in a two-part story. Rab becomes seriously ill, but for once drink isn't responsible - he's only had eight pints of beer.

Episode: 6x04 | Airdate: Aug 22, 1997

Conclusion of a two-part story. Rab languishes in a hospital ward after he is diagnosed with cancer.

Episode: 6x05 | Airdate: Aug 29, 1997

Jamesie organises a trip to Amsterdam to see the bulbfields, but Rab soon discovers that the only bulbs his pal is interested in are red ones.

Episode: 6x06 | Airdate: Sep 5, 1997

Gash embarks on the obligatory pre-wedding binge with experienced marital experts Rab and Jamesie.

Episode: 7x01 | Airdate: Aug 21, 1998

It's a new dawn for the Nesbitts as a new Labour Government and a new daughter-in-law are sworn in. So why does this new era of opportunity leave Rab feeling so old?

Episode: 7x02 | Airdate: Aug 28, 1998

Relief barman "Mad Dog" comes highly recommended by his old pals in Broadmoor. Before long, he's left Rab and Jamesie on the brink of a drug problem.

Episode: 7x03 | Airdate: Sep 4, 1998

A booze cruise to Millport opens up old wounds for Rab, which causes some strife.

Episode: 7x04 | Airdate: Sep 11, 1998

It's business as usual in Govan's Giro Valley as Mary is mugged. Gash leaves his wife for her sister and a couple of guilty secrets hit the lurid light of day.

Episode: 7x05 | Airdate: Sep 18, 1998

Country singer Marilou Devine has died in tragic circumstances, plunging the Govan community into convulsive grief. However, a court sentence of community service ensures that Rab must pay more attention to the living rather than the dead.

Episode: 7x06 | Airdate: Sep 25, 1998

The pressure of looking after Rab, who has a bad back, begins to tell on Mary and she has some bad news for her husband.

Episode: S07 Special | Airdate: Dec 23, 2008

Christmas special featuring the string-vested sage of Govan. Rab's a changed man having ditched alcohol, found religion and discovered the cooker, while Mary-Doll has a new career.

Episode: 8x01 | Airdate: May 14, 1999

Emerging from prison after doing time for arson, Rab is fixed up with a job as a dishwasher by his prison social worker. Meanwhile, Mary is living in a women's hostel after splitting up with Jamesie.

Episode: 8x02 | Airdate: May 21, 1999

When an arrogant MP is challenged to live on state benefits, he exchanges lifestyles with Rab.

Episode: 8x03 | Airdate: May 28, 1999

Rab's bad back robs him of sleep, while a wronged husband prowls the street with a shotgun looking for Jamesie.

Episode: 8x04 | Airdate: Jun 4, 1999

Rab undergoes a vasectomy and becomes a grandfather for the first time. However, the baby goes missing while in Rab's care.

Episode: 8x05 | Airdate: Jun 11, 1999

Rab decides his insomnia is a spiritual problem. He retreats to the public park and seeks counsel from three new acquaintances.

Episode: 8x06 | Airdate: Jun 18, 1999

It is time to be hellraisers again, since it is Barney Feeney's birthday bash. It falls to Nesbitt to assemble Govan's Rat Pack.

Episode: 9x01 | Airdate: Jan 21, 2010

Rab and Mary welcome their son Gash back to the family home and become reacquainted with their granddaughter Peaches. Meanwhile, Jamesie shows just how far he'll push it to get a woman into bed.

Episode: 9x02 | Airdate: Jan 28, 2010

When a mobile phone mast appears in Govan, Rab turns rabble-rouser to fire up the community.

Episode: 9x03 | Airdate: Feb 4, 2010

Rab embraces his feminine side as part of an outrageous social security scam. John Gordon Sinclair guests.

Episode: 9x04 | Airdate: Feb 11, 2010

Rab struggles to get his head round all the angles in a love triangle involving his son, a local barmaid and his best mate.

Episode: 9x05 | Airdate: Feb 18, 2010

Rab finds himself at a posh supper for namesake Rabbie Burns. Rab locks horns with filth magnet Saunders McClure, a slimeball with designs on Mary's cleaning company. Features a guest appearance from John Michie.

Episode: 9x06 | Airdate: Feb 25, 2010

An old woman on her way to the Pearly Gates discovers a couple of unlikely carers by her bedside.

Episode: 10x01 | Airdate: Oct 5, 2011

Rab returns home to find that his wife Mary has kidnapped Chingford Steel, the government minister for work.

Episode: 10x02 | Airdate: Oct 12, 2011

Mary and Ella form a girl band, while Rab and Jamesie set up as sexy male cleaners for bored housewives.

Episode: 10x03 | Airdate: Oct 19, 2011

Rab turns up drunk at Peaches' birthday party and in a struggle over cutting the cake gets stabbed.

Episode: 10x04 | Airdate: Oct 26, 2011

When the drop-in centre where Rab holds his self-help group meetings becomes a victim of council cuts, the bandaged philosopher decides to fight back.

Episode: 10x05 | Airdate: Nov 2, 2011

Rab is chosen by his granddaughter to be a role model for her class at school, but it soon becomes a nightmare.

Episode: 10x06 | Airdate: Nov 9, 2011

The new minister at Rab's church arrives with two serious drawbacks - she is female and English.

Episode: S10 Special | Airdate: Jan 2, 2014

Facing hard times that are harder than ever, Rab turns to a life of crime to help make ends meet. He soon restyles himself as a new breed of heroic outlaw - not so much Robin Hood as Rab in Hoodie, as he rages against the state with his band of Merry Men and his long-suffering wife Mary-Doll, who becomes 'Maid Mary-on'.

Rab not only has a system to overthrow, he also has a grand-daughter, Peaches, who desperately needs the price of a ticket for the school cruise. Meanwhile, Jamesie strikes up an affinity with the local wildlife.