Ep 7. Episode 7

The Royle Family is a British sitcom that follows the lives of the Royle family, who reside in a council flat in Manchester. The second season of the show consists of seven episodes, each depicting various moments in the lives of the Royle family. In this episode, titled Episode 7, the family prepares for Christmas.

As the episode begins, Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson) complains about the increasing commercialization of Christmas, and how it takes away from the true meaning of the holiday. He comments on how it feels like Christmas has become more about presents than anything else. Barbara Royle (Sue Johnston) disagrees, stating that exchanging gifts is a sign of love and affection. The two are interrupted by their daughter Denise (Caroline Aherne), who arrives home with her husband Dave (Craig Cash).

Denise announces that she has been promoted to assistant manager at the supermarket where she works and that she will finally be able to afford to buy her parents a nice gift. Jim and Barbara are excited by the news and are grateful for their daughter's kindness. Meanwhile, their son Antony (Ralf Little) arrives with his girlfriend Emma (Sheridan Smith) and the two inform the family that they have decided to move in together.

The family discusses their plans for Christmas dinner, with Jim insisting that they have turkey, while Barbara suggests they have chicken instead. Antony and Emma chime in with their own opinions, but the conversation is cut short when their neighbor Joe (Peter Martin) bursts into the flat to give the family some of his homemade wine. The wine is revealed to be incredibly strong, and the family members start to feel the effects after drinking just a small amount.

As the night continues, Denise and Dave discuss their plans for the new year, with Denise expressing her desire to start a family. Dave is hesitant, stating that he doesn't feel ready to become a father just yet. This causes tension between the couple, and they argue over their differing views on starting a family.

As the night comes to an end, the family bids each other goodnight and makes their way to bed. The episode ends with Barbara reflecting on the events of the evening, and how despite their arguments and differences, the family always comes together and supports one another. She expresses her gratitude for her family, and how much they mean to her, before retiring to bed.

Overall, Episode 7 of The Royle Family offers a heartwarming portrayal of the family's preparations for Christmas, complete with their unique dynamics and humorous exchanges. The episode tackles themes of family, love, and tradition, all while maintaining the show's signature candid and relatable style.