The BEST episodes of Brief Encounters

Every episode of Brief Encounters ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Brief Encounters!

In the early 1980s the lives of four ordinary women, their husbands, mothers, families, and community are turned around when they become Ann Summers party plan saleswomen.

Last Updated: 11/12/2024Network: ITV1Status: Ended
Episode 6
star
7.75
65 votes

#1 - Episode 6

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/8/2016

Steph organises an Ann Summers event at a local night club, as the light-hearted drama set in the 1980s about four women seeking fulfilment concludes. Steph realises that Pauline has been lying to Johnny but picks an inopportune moment to confront her about the matter. Brian has things to say to Dawn and Russell, who has been asked to model at the event. Nita demands that Kieran take action to keep Dougie away from the family. At the event itself, Pauline drops a bombshell, the male model disappears and a woman from head office turns up unannounced. All things considered, this is not the best time for Nita to go into labour.

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Episode 5
star
7.75
63 votes

#2 - Episode 5

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/1/2016

Preparations for Dawn's wedding are proceeding swiftly, as the light-hearted drama set in the 1980s about four women seeking fulfilment continues. After Nita asks Steph to help at a party for her aunt, Steph explains why her confidence has deserted her. She is later shaken by some news from Barry. Nita is desperate to find her son and calls in a favour. Steph tells Terry a few home truths at the registry office. Johnny's presence in the pub where the reception is being held does not help matters. Desperate to save her marriage, Pauline spins a complex web of lies. After an eventful evening, Steph makes her way to the police station

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Episode 2
star
7.70
64 votes

#3 - Episode 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/11/2016

Steph has found out that her husband Terry slept with Lisa and believes that her marriage is over. Since her mother died, the bubbly and outgoing Dawn has felt trapped, looking after her father and three brothers who take her for granted. She can no longer stand living at home and asks for refuge at Pauline's house, much to Brian's annoyance. Nita is 23 weeks pregnant and her husband Kieren pleads with her to reconsider her decision to make an appointment with a doctor about having an abortion.

Directors: Jill Robertson
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Episode 1
star
7.64
84 votes

#4 - Episode 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/4/2016

Steph persuades well-to-do Pauline to host an Ann Summers party, but are Pauline's friends really the right crowd to sell to?

Directors: Jill Robertson
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Episode 4
star
7.57
68 votes

#5 - Episode 4

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/25/2016

Business is going well, but Steph makes a serious mistake, as the light-hearted drama set in the 1980s about four women seeking fulfilment continues. With Terry suspended from work, the household is strapped for cash, which leads Steph to take a rash decision. Russell is being measured for his wedding suit, but continues to feel uncomfortable about the proposed scale of the ceremony, which causes Dawn to do some soul-searching. Nita thinks on her feet after Kieran is arrested, only to realise that she has got herself deeply involved in a dangerous subterfuge. Elsewhere, Pauline comes face to face with her past and does not like what she sees.

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Episode 3
star
7.55
74 votes

#6 - Episode 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/18/2016

Steph is crowned saleswoman of the month, winning a top-of-the-range fridge freezer as the light-hearted drama series set in the 1980s continues. Dawn, Pauline and Nita all come round to admire the prize. Steph agrees to go out on a date, but is her husband really out of the picture? The next morning, she contemplates life without Terry while she slips her wedding ring on and off to see how it feels. With Dawn's help, Pauline decides to host her first party. Meanwhile, a guilt-ridden Kieren is distant from the chaos of the kids fighting before school. Nita is concerned, and soon makes an unwelcome discovery about the man she married.

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