The Upper Hand

Season 1

The Upper Hand is a British television sitcom, produced by Central Independent Television and Columbia Pictures Television and broadcast by ITV from 1990 to 1996. The programme was adapted from the American sitcom Who's the Boss?.

As in the former series, an affluent single woman, raising a son with the help of her mother, hires a housekeeper only to have a man apply for the job.

Where to Watch Season 1

13 Episodes

Just the Job
E1
Just the JobCharlie moves from London to the country to give his daughter Joanna a better life. But the attractive Caroline is shocked to find her mother Laura considers him - a man - suitable to be their housekeeper.
Briefless Encounter
E2
Briefless EncounterForward professor Ingrid Lindstrom,a tutor on mature student Laura's psychology course,asks Charlie on a date and Laura says he should use Caroline's private bathroom in which to freshen up. Unfortunately,as he walks in Caroline is just getting out of the bath and reveals all. Laura tries to mediate but when Ingrid accuses Caroline of being a secret exhibitionist Charlie defends his boss and calls the date off.
Dinner for Two
E3
Dinner for TwoLaura takes the children camping, so Caroline invites her latest beau round for a dinner with waiter service. But when he is unable to make it, Charlie feels bad for her
The Old Girl Network
E4
The Old Girl NetworkCaroline's well-bred former school friend turns up, and leaves the Whestley household cheesed off
Caroline's First Fight
E5
Caroline's First FightCaroline and Charlie have to chase after the children who have run away to Charlie's former London estate, due to disagreements about their behaviour. But Caroline's fish out of water status leaves her ending up the naughty one.
Who's Who
E6
Who's WhoCaroline is unlucky in love because men are intimidated by her position, but Charlie can pull a woman just as simply as talking to her in a supermarket. What new tactics can Caroline learn for a taste of date success?
Growing Pains
E7
Growing PainsAs Jo nears her twelfth birthday Charlie has to accept that she is growing into a woman and so he buys her a bra. It does not meet with her approval and when Caroline takes her on a shopping spree Charlie starts to worry if he losing touch with his daughter. However the combined gifts of a necklace and a skateboard for her birthday go a long way towards redressing the balance.
Paint Your Wagon
E8
Paint Your WagonBodywork is the theme of the day, when Charlie admires the women at his aerobics class, and Caroline's Jaguar needs a new coat of paint. But the line between employer and employee is crossed when Charlie chooses the colour.
Welcome Home (1)
E9
Welcome Home (1)Caroline's documentary film-maker husband Michael,from whom she is separated,returns from a two year stint in the jungle. Initially she is anything but pleased to see him but he makes promises and she agrees to a reconciliation. Unfortunately this leads to him sacking Charlie. Caroline is horrified,telling Charlie how much she still needs him but Charlie tells her that it is only right now that her man has come back to her.
Welcome Home (2)
E10
Welcome Home (2)Charlie has got a new job since Michael let him go, but Caroline and Michael's sickly-sweet renewed romantics are already starting to wear thin
Just Like Charlie
E11
Just Like CharlieTom's behaviour begins to cause concern, but could it be due to the influence of Charlie?
First Kiss
E12
First KissIt's Caroline's birthday but the kids are going away overnight on a boat trip and Charlie is off for drinks with his former employer Lady Rawsthorne so Caroline goes out for the evening with girlfriends and comes back very drunk. A slightly tipsy Charlie returns and together they make a birthday cake after which she kisses him . He puts her bed but,like the professional he is,does not get in with her.
Requiem
E13
RequiemIt's Christmas, and Charlie is moonlighting to make extra money. But what for? Maybe budding new writer Laura can solve the mystery.