Return to Gethyn (18 Mar. 1979)

Thomas becomes suddenly homesick for his native Wales and with Sarah travels back to his village home for the first time in ten years with dire consequences.

Director:

Christopher Hodson

Writer:

Angharad Lloyd

Stars:

John Alderton, Pauline Collins, Gary Raymond

Cast

Episode cast overview:
John Alderton	...	Thomas Watkins
Pauline Collins	...	Sarah Moffat
Gary Raymond	...	Eli Watkins
Shirley Cain	...	Mrs. Hughes
Aubrey Richards	...	Byron Jones
Pamela Miles	...	Olwen Watkins
Nesta Harris	...	Mrs. Watkins
Marged Esli	...	Bessie Evans
Lee Sparke	...	Melchoir Evans
Jack Walters	...	Gwynfor Williams
Dafydd Havard	...	Man in chapel
Mary Laine	...	Woman in chapel

Storyline

Thomas becomes homesick for his small Welsh village and decides to journey back there for the first time in ten years accompanied by Sarah. Sarah finds Thomas' provincial mother and married but childless reverend brother cold and aloof. She is shocked when a village girl calls on Thomas to present him with what she claims is his ten year old son born out-of-wedlock, a child Thomas initially swears he knew nothing about but later admits is his. Sarah resents the family's hypocritical piety and decides to investigate the circumstances of the illegitimate birth on her own.

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Plot Keywords:

wales | reverend | hypocrisy | welsh hymn | stone wall | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1979 (UK)

Filming Locations:

LWT Studios / ITV Studios / The London Studios / London Television Studio / Kent House studios, Upper Ground, South Bank, Lambeth, London, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alfred Shaugnessy, London Weekend Television (LWT), Sagitta Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mrs. Watkins: I trust you help Thomas with his work.
Sarah Moffat: Yeah, of course I do.
Mrs. Watkins: What is his work, Sarah?
Sarah Moffat: He's a chauffeur, Mrs. Watkins. He's ever so good with motor cars.
Mrs. Watkins: Does he work for the Lord?
Sarah Moffat: Ah, well, he did work for Lord Bellamy once of Eaton Place.
Mrs. Watkins: I meant the Lord God.
Sarah Moffat: Thomas is a chauffeur, Mrs. Watkins, not a reverend like his brother.
Mrs. Watkins: We can all work for the Lord, Sarah.

User Reviews

Thomas comes home.

December, 1911 Thomas and Sarah having fallen on hard times yet again, decide on a whim to return to Thomas' home village of 'Gethyn' in Wales. He still has a brother and mother there. His brother is played by the great Gary Raymond (Look Back In Anger 1959) and is Preacher to a small chapel in the village.

Sarah does not understand the coolness and unwelcome shown towards Thomas upon his return after ten years of being away. It appears that Thomas has a son, and ran away from the village and his responsibilities ten years earlier due to having raped a young woman - the child being the result! Sarah in disbelief is determined to get to the truth. In doing so, she shames his up-standing brother, and they leave under a cloud never to return.