The Fosters (1976)

Sonny goes out to get a bottle of mouthwash ahead of his latest big date, Pearl's unhappy about Shirley's involvement with a 21-year-old, and Samuel comes under fire when he changes his mind about an obscene book.

Pearl refuses to think about what life will be like when the nest is empty, Shirley ridicules the idea that a popular girl could be interested in Sonny, and talk of popping the question suggests that things are pretty serious.

Shirley gets a shock when she sees a Black face on the broken television, Samuel recognises the preacher as someone he knew in Guyana, and Pearl's far from pleased when the swindler offers her husband a job.

Shirley ends up with the wrong hours when she gets a job at a chip shop, Benjamin finds that his father's irritability might be due to hypertension, and Pearl knows that being laid off from work will make him even worse.

Sonny decides to enter a new art competition at the West Indian Centre, Pearl's unhappy when her special picture of Jesus changes colour, and an old drunk gets all the credit when the family have a run of good luck.

Benjamin tries to pick a man to write about for an English composition, Shirley insists that women are just as worthy of admiration as men, and Samuel returns home miserable after he chickens out of a job interview.

Pearl's told that an older woman has been given the job that she wanted, Samuel's left fuming when sexual discrimination laws get in his way, and the kids have to cook for themselves when their mum goes out to work.

Pearl and Shirley get sick of finding art equipment left around the house, Samuel discovers that his son's patron is a scammer, and Benjamin's not the only one to miss Sonny when he decides to move out.

Vilma has to take messages when Samuel forgets to pay the phone bill, a blind encyclopaedia salesman is shown pity when he comes knocking, and a closer look at the contract suggests that signing it was a mistake.

Returning home from work, Samuel finds a paper bag full of money in a dustbin.

Samuel is chosen for a government re-training scheme.

Pearl turns matchmaker when she decides it’s high time for Vilma to remarry.

Rebellious Benjamin is sent home from school for being insolent.

The Fosters invite a poor neighbour to Samuel Foster supper, but what is her meat loaf made with?