Try 30 days of free premium.

Black Books - Episode Guide

Season 1

Cooking the Books

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Sep 29, 2000

Cooking the Books

When his dodgy accountant goes on the run, Bernard has to fill in his own tax return, which isn't easy when you're mathematically illiterate. Perhaps some sort of crippling injury is the way out?

Manny's First Day

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Oct 6, 2000

Manny's First Day

Bernard, having offered Manny the job while he was drunk, does his best to get rid of his new charge by offering him a one-day trial. Is this suspiciously modern-looking assistant up to scratch?

Grapes of Wrath

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Oct 13, 2000

Grapes of Wrath

The discomforting presence in the bookshop of an oddly sensual cleaner forces Bernard and Manny to accept a house-sitting job, where they drink an unbelievably expensive bottle of wine

The Blackout

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Oct 20, 2000

The Blackout

Manny gets hyper after a night of drinking too many espressos and watching an entire box-set of The Sweeney, and is mistaken for a policeman when he gives high-speed chase to a bagsnatcher

The Big Lock-Out

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Oct 27, 2000

The Big Lock-Out

When a new security system that neither Bernard nor Manny can operate is installed in the shop, Bernard ends up locked out for the evening, while Manny is locked in

He's Leaving Home

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Nov 3, 2000

He's Leaving Home

Manny becomes a runaway when Bernard's relentless bossiness gets too much for him. But life is tough on the street, so when a photographer offers him a place to stay he's happy to take up the offer.

Season 2

The Entertainer

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Mar 1, 2002

The Entertainer

Fran takes up piano. Bernard falls in love. Manny just wants a break. But genius finds no rest as Fran lies to a sweet old blind man and Bernard deceives his adoring public.

Fever

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Mar 8, 2002

Fever

Fran can't sleep in the heat. Bernard needs a girlfriend to stop him staring. And Manny is worried about the reliability of his magic hot water bottle.

The Fixer

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Mar 15, 2002

The Fixer

Manny uses his underworld connections to find Fran mysterious employment; so mysterious that she has no idea what she is doing. In return Bernard and Manny just have to educate a psychopath.

Blood

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Mar 22, 2002

Blood

Unemployed and restless, Fran takes comfort in the discovery of her exotic new-found cousins. And in pursuit of Michelin stars Manny and Bernard transform the infested bookshop into a restaurant.

Hello Sun

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Mar 29, 2002

Hello Sun

Fran tries to discover her inner karma at the advice of her disapproving friend Eva. Meanwhile, Bernard finds positive proof that Manny is mad.

A Nice Change

Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Apr 5, 2002

A Nice Change

Bernard and Manny can't hear themselves argue because of the builders next door. Fran suggests a holiday. But how will the three of them fare when they attempt to venture abroad together?

Season 3

Manny Come Home

Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Mar 11, 2004

Manny Come Home

Manny defects to a swish new bookshop next door run by a super-efficient manager (Simon Pegg), and when Fran returns from holiday, she finds the shop a hovel and Bernard completely gone to seed

Elephants and Hens

Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Mar 18, 2004

Elephants and Hens

It's International Children's Book Week. Bernard and Manny reckon they can do better than the trash children are offered these days, so they decide to write a kids' classic and retire, Rowling-rich.

Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa

Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Mar 25, 2004

Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa

Manny's parents come to stay. Bernard wants rid of them, preferably the day before yesterday. And Fran is rather grumpy about pretending to be Manny's girlfriend to corroborate Manny's letters home.

A Little Flutter

Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Apr 1, 2004

A Little Flutter

Manny puts a bet on the Grand National for Bernard, who says he's not interested in gambling but immediately becomes addicted, and has to exploit Fran and Manny so he can replenish his dwindling funds

Travel Writer

Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Apr 8, 2004

Travel Writer

Manny organises a travel writing festival but has a jealous rage when Fran is captivated by the twinkling eyes and lavish hair of famously charming explorer Jason Hamilton (Julian Rhind-Tutt)

Party

Episode: 3x06 | Airdate: Apr 15, 2004

Party

It's Friday night. Manny and Fran want to go out. Bernard wants to stay in, get drunk and ignore his friends. And if Manny dares to use 'party' as a verb, Bernard won't be responsible for his actions.

Try 30 days of free premium.