The BEST episodes of Black Books season 1

Every episode of Black Books season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Black Books season 1!

Black Books is a second-hand bookshop in London run by an Irishman named Bernard Black. He is probably the planet's worst-suited person to run such an establishment: he makes no effort to sell, closes at strange hours on a whim, is in a perpetual alcoholic stupor, abhors his customers (sometimes physically abusing them) and is often comatose at his desk. Help comes in the lumpy shape of Manny Bianco, a hairy, bumbling individual who (almost by osmosis) becomes Bernard's assistant. Manny is not exactly great at the job either but he is a million times better than Bernard. Next door is Fran, an anxious, frustrated woman who runs a sort of new-age shop selling the most unlikely bits of arty junk. Fran is friends with Bernard and, through him, with Manny; together the trio become embroiled in escapades that are sometimes extreme or violent or fantastically ludicrous, and always bizarre.

Last Updated: 4/13/2024Network: Channel 4Status: Ended
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Cooking the Books
star
8.07
1934 votes

#1 - Cooking the Books

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/29/2000

Bernard’s dodgy accountant has to go on the run, leaving him ill prepared to fill out his own tax return. In fact Bernard would rather do anything than fill it out.

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Grapes of Wrath
star
8.05
1522 votes

#2 - Grapes of Wrath

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/13/2000

Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job to get away from their new cleaner. They also drink some wine.

Directors: Graham Linehan
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The Blackout
star
7.99
1508 votes

#3 - The Blackout

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/20/2000

A hyper, coffee fueled Manny is mistaken for a policeman.

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Manny's First Day
star
7.86
1688 votes

#4 - Manny's First Day

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/6/2000

After Manny’s help with the tax return Bernard is persuaded to hire him in the shop. Unfortunately he actually sells some books, much to Bernard’s annoyance.

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The Big Lock-Out
star
7.80
1346 votes

#5 - The Big Lock-Out

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/27/2000

The shop gets a new security system that no-one can work.

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He's Leaving Home
star
7.77
1229 votes

#6 - He's Leaving Home

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/3/2000

Manny runs away from the bookshop into the arms of a beard loving photographer.

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