The Party - Episode Guide

Martin Gilmour arrives for the lavish birthday party of his lifelong friend, the charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice. The party is thrown into turmoil with the news that the Conservative Party leader has resigned, and Ben's nemesis Jarvis Conrad intends to stand for election. While Martin warns Ben against any knee jerk response, Ben is determined that Martin should undermine Jarvis' bid. But Martin's attempts to derail Jarvis risk the exposure of buried secrets from Ben and Martin's own history.

That history starts with young Martin, raised in Wales by his working-class mum, Sylvia, winning a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he first encounters Ben. Martin's fascination with Ben grows as he visits his country estate and meets his twin sister Phoebe – who can see the truth of the bond between the two boys. Faced with revelations from their past, will Martin be able to keep Ben's impulses in check and avoid tragedy?

With journalist Amina Bates sniffing around for a story, Martin warns Ben to avoid doing anything reckless. Nevertheless, Ben announces his intention to stand as leader of the Conservative Party during his birthday speech. While Ben's team spiral, Martin despairs – this could be disastrous.

Haunted by the absence of Ben's twin sister, Phoebe, Martin recalls their days at university. On a drunken night out, Phoebe encouraged Martin to express his true feelings for Ben. But thanks to Ben's impulsiveness, the night ends in tragedy. Lucy learns from journalist Amina that Martin has been receiving annual payments from Ben's family for almost twenty years. But when Lucy is interrogated by Ben and Serena about what Amina said, Lucy hides the truth. As Ben's mother Katherine reminisces about Phoebe and Ben's childhood, we see how Ben's father George made a deal with Martin in the past to protect Ben, the consequences of which threaten to derail the party.

Martin and Ben consider ways to spike Amina's story and thwart Jarvis's rival campaign to become leader. But when Ben's plan to exploit Lucy's past trauma backfires, Martin thinks they are out of options. Ben insists they have one more option – one where Martin must sacrifice himself all over again. As Martin wrestles with his dilemma, we reveal the truth of the men's relationship.

Released from prison after the fatal car crash, Martin moves in with Ben – and for several years they become secret lovers. Discovering what's going on, George insists that Ben ends the relationship – and soon Serena appears in Ben's life. Despite Martin's best efforts to discourage Serena, she makes it clear that Ben has told her all his secrets and they are very much in love.

Back at the party, Martin confesses a deep childhood secret to Amina hoping it will divert her from the real story. But it's clear she knows the whole truth about Ben and Martin, and is determined to publish. Is the game finally up?

The news that Amina is going to publish sends Ben spiralling. Martin tells Ben he has to tell Katherine the truth before the story comes out.

In the past, we see how Serena orchestrated Martin meeting Lucy and their subsequent engagement. On Martin's stag do, Ben and Martin share a final night together, but when Ben reveals that Serena is pregnant, Martin has to accept their relationship is over.

At the party, Lucy's health deteriorates and she needs to go to hospital. Ben wants Martin to stay and help him confront Amina, but when Martin refuses, a fight ensues and Martin leaves with Lucy.

Newly resigned party leader Elinor arrives at Denby Hall with bad news for Ben – she won't back his leadership bid. Serena is furious with Ben – he's sacrificed both their futures. Ben accuses her of being a drunk.

Ben goes to Katherine but can't face telling her the truth about Phoebe. As Ben confronts his grief, he receives a call from a furious Martin. He wants to meet him in the outhouse.

Martin confronts Ben with a gun in his hand. Years of pain and anger spill out. But Ben grabs the gun and reveals the depths of his own despair. A gunshot rings out.

Serena discovers Martin covered in Ben's blood and tells the police she saw Martin with the gun. Martin once again finds himself in custody. With the evidence mounting against Martin, Ben fights for his life in hospital.

In the chaos of the party aftermath at Denby Hall, Jarvis's stash of cocaine is found by the police and he is arrested.

Only Ben can save Martin, but will he recover? And will he tell the truth?