Alex Shearer's traditional character sitcom, chronicling the ups and downs (mostly downs) of diplomatic life in a fictitious eastern-bloc country.
Dinsdale Landen starred as British ambassador MacKenzie, contending with bribery and beetroot-flavoured biscuits on a daily basis; Peter Acre and Moir Leslie were his co-stars.
When the series began the Cold War was still in full flow; later series reflected contemporary developments, as the People's Republic became the People's Democracy, and its populace was exposed to the winds of no change whatsoever.
Many Thanks to Jim D for contributions to this page.
Series 1
1. Favours. The repair of the Embassy typewriter plays a part in the mating of seals, the extermination of bugs, and the silencing of birds.
2. Weather Problems. Eastern Bloc dissidents seeking refuge descend on the British Embassy.
3. Notes From the Underground. Confusion reigns as the British Embassy prepares a report on the local political outlook.
4. Compromising Positions. Why does William sleep with his windscreen wipers? And will the tabloid press settle for a diplomatic answer?
5. Here in the Western World. Why is the ambassador's whiskey like an American submarine? And is the noble art of moaning really under threat?
6. Spy Story. Why does the bear suck his paw in winter? And what does the answer have to do with the First Secretary's dinner suit?
Series 2
1. The Bread and Butter. The spirit of glasnost is stretched to the limit when an unidentified body turns up in the People's Republic.
2. The Space Race. What goes up must, in the glasnost era, come down, but exactly 'where' it comes down is still a matter for negotiation.
3. A Tooth for a Tooth. There's no extradition agreement between the UK and the People's Republic of Wherever It Is. But accusation is a serious matter.
4. The Opium of the People. It is Glorious Reindeer Day in the People's Republic. Seasonal goodwill abounds, even if light bulbs and tolerance don't.
5. No Sudden Moves. East meets West in an epic chess game - politics, pride and chicken nuggets are at stake.
6. Political Flu. The political climate in the People's Republic is milder than it used to be, but political sickness can still strike.
7. A Taste of Democracy. It is British week in the People's Republic and the best of British will be on display, including a double-decker bus,a double-decker bus and some clog dancing
8. Submarine Diplomacy. Telexes from London, awkward questions and the spirit of the Armada reasserting itself; just another day for the Embassy.
Series 3
1. Whose Rubbish is it Anyway. Ambassador Mackenzie continues to dispense his own blend of British Foreign Policy in his Eastern Bloc posting.
2. Our Own Correspondent. Mackenzie causes havoc when he embarks on his memoirs.
3. A Loss of Marbles. Fortified by caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, the diplomats tackle the drug barons.
4. The Comrade Connection. The staff of the embassy are involved in a dispute over items of heritage residing in the British Museum.
5. Cool Heads. When the diplomats' wives' fact-finding shopping trip is hit by a hijack, the men hatch a rescue plan.
6. Cultural Exchange. With Heavy Metal and Dancing Detectors, Mackenzie and Surikov mix the oil and water of artistic detente.
Series 4
1. Spiritual Values. Cash is scarce, as the Ambassador hopes capitalism and democracy will conquer communism.
2. In Custody. Ambassador Mackenzie has to tackle the delicate issue of a British hostage.
3. As Unequel As Others. The Ambassador faces a revolt by men over rights for women in the Eastern Bloc republic.
4. Little Extras. Ambassador Mackenzie witnesses the People's Republic's movie-making prowess close-up.
5. Endangered Species. Ambassador Mackenzie turns his attention to the ecology of The People's Republic.
6. No Special Treatment. The ambassadors take advantage of cheap surgery after the privatisation of the Health Care service.
7. The Pretenders. Mackenzie witnesses the return of the aristocracy in The Federated People's Republic.
8. End of Term. Ambassador Mackenzie packs his diplomatic bags for good, but faces one final crisis.
