Kate announces her plans. Blithe Spirit receives critical acclaim.

Radio Times: Kate has some news, and Lynda steels herself.

Characters: Brian, Jennifer, Kate, Lynda, Susan, Tristram Hawkshaw

• Brian is in full post-Christmas grumpiness, complaining about the difficulty of returning an unwanted gift from Pat. Jenny, however, is in full gush mode as she prepares a simple little Szechuan vegan dish for Kate. Sadly her culinary efforts will go to waste, since Kate has decided to take Phoebe out for a curry and it is unlikely that Brian will sample the tofu dish. But Kate announces that she has an important announcement to make when she returns. Jennifer has to while away her time awaiting this momentous news by sending a long email to Liam of the Echo on the subject of Justin Elliott’s nefarious plans.
• Lynda wants to make changes to the way Susan plays Edith for the final performance of Blithe Spirit, but is interrupted by the arrival of Tristram Hawkshaw, drama critic of the Echo and generally pretentious person. Susan is hugely impressed by him, but Lynda fears his vitriol.
• Kate announces that she intends staying in Ambridge for a year or two, to take a higher diploma in International Development at the world-renowned university of Felpersham. When asked what Lucas and the children think of the plan, Kate is entirely unconcerned. She and Phoebe would like to live in her cottage. Jennifer’s reaction is typically gushing; it is such wonderful news and so good to see Kate taking her education seriously. Equally typically, and rather more realistically, Brian comments that wherever Kate lands, chaos ensues.
• Contrary to Lynda’s expectations, Tristram is full of praise for her production, and especially for Susan’s performance; he would like to see her play Goneril or Mistress Quickly. Lynda wastes no time in ‘modestly’ taking the credit.