The BEST episodes of The Wind in the Willows season 1
Every episode of The Wind in the Willows season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Wind in the Willows season 1!
Based on the novels by Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows is the classic story of the adventures of Mole, Badger, Rat and Toad of Toad Hall, set in Edwardian England of 1908. Mole sets out from his underground home to discover the world and is befriended by the river loving Water Rat who introduces him to the madcap aristocrat Mr. Toad. Together with Grandfatherly Badger they encounter the rascally Weasels, face the terrors of Wild Wood, and see Mr. Toad through a series of headlong escapades until they return once again to the peace of the English countryside.
#1 - The Ghost at Mole End
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/11/1984
Mole hears sounds which he cannot account for. It leads him to fear that there might be a ghost in his house. Eventually, though, he discovers that the sounds are produced by a hedgehog which has fallen into a crevice immediately above his burrow. With the help of rat, he saves the animal.
#2 - Buried Treasure
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/25/1984
The Chief Weasel visits Badger (with Mole) revealing he and the other weasels buy the part of the Wild Wood upon which stands the entrance to Badger's home. To the horrified shock of Mole, he orders Badger to vacate the property in three days noon, giving him the document from the court of law. When Badger takes the weasels, Rat, Mole and the youngsters to court, Mrs. Carrington-Moss decides in their favour, as the weasels' deed to the property appears to be valid. Badger, faced with eviction, prepares to leave his domicile despite the friendship he always treasured from Rat, Mole and the youngsters. However, it is Mole who saves the day when he discovers a Roman document signed by Julius Caesar; which conveys the ownership of the area that is now the Wild Wood to the badgers, and their descendants. With this document in hand, Badger and Mole are able to chase the weasels away only minutes before they take permanent possession of his burrow in a struggle against Rat and the youngsters.
#3 - The Kidnapping of Toad
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/4/1984
Invited to the weasels' den for a 'literary evening', Toad is taken prisoner and a ransom demanded. Badger has no intention of paying for his return, but Toad's incessant chatter drives the weasels to distraction, so they play a final trick on him before letting him go free.
#4 - Wayfarers All
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/23/1984
Based on chapter 9 of the original book. The Rat is visited by a seafarer, who captivates him with stories of his travels, and entices him to journey south, to embark on a ship bound for Constantinople. Mole and Toad must catch him before he leaves the River Bank behind forever.
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#5 - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/14/1984
Another dramatisation of an episode from Kenneth Grahame’s book (chapter 7). Portly, Otter's young son, goes missing. He has picked the worst possible time – there are otter-hunters on the prowl. Ratty and Mole set out on a mission to find him, and in the process have a supernatural encounter with the god Pan- a statue under which Portly, who has also encountered him, is found sleeping.
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#6 - The Grand Annual Show
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/1984
Mole's jam, Rat's walnut cake, Badger's pickled walnuts, and Toad's 'homemade' elderflower wine all compete to be best in show. The weasels also have an abnormally large pumpkin. But two competitors aren't playing fair...
#7 - The Open Road Again
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/16/1984
On a Toad inspired hiking trip attended by Mole and Ratty, the trio soon bump into an old friend - Alfred the horse who once pulled Toad's caravan. Tired of the ghastly 3 quarters of a mile journey thus far, Toad leads the way to the derelict caravan full of desire to hit "the open road again". In no time at all, Toad is off on another craze astride his new Dersey-Patterson bicycle.
#8 - The Weasels' Trap
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/30/1984
After Badger interrupts the Chief Weasel's attempts to rob Billy Rabbit in the Wild Wood, the angry Chief plots his revenge. When his henchman stumbles upon an old hunter's trap, he sees what seems to be the perfect opportunity. However, despite the Chief setting everything up, things go horribly wrong when the henchman tries to relocate the trap.
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#9 - The Yuletide Entertainment
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/24/1984
The riverbank residents are organising a fun gathering where they show off their singing, dancing and instrument-playing talents: Otter on the piano; Rat playing accordion and singing Uptails All; Badger's slideshow journey across the world. The pièce de résistance (Toad singing excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan) suffers a setback when he swallows his fake moustache just before coming on. Mole, who had not intended to appear in the show, is drafted in at the last minute to sing. The episode finishes with a lovely choir song: “Joy Shall be Yours in the Morning”. Sadly, Toad finally manages to cough up his moustache just as the guests are saying their goodnights.
#10 - The Further Adventures of Toad
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/27/1984
After having overthrown the Weasels in the battle of Toad Hall, Toad hosts a celebration dinner for his friends. He reminisces about his time in prison, escape from jail, his exploits with the barge woman, etc. His friends are less than impressed with how he handled some of the situations, but Toad gets offended when they tell him so.
#11 - The Great Steamer
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/18/1984
The weasels buy the part of the Wild Wood upon which stands the entrance to Badger's home. They order Badger to vacate the property. When Badger takes the weasels to court, the judge decides in their favour, as the weasels' deed to the property appears to be valid. It is mole who saves the day when he discovers a Roman document signed by Julius Caesar which conveys the ownership of the area that is now the Wild Wood to the badgers and their descendants. With this document in hand, Badger is able to chase the weasels away only minutes before they take permanent possession of his burrow.
#12 - Mole's Cousin
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/1/1984
Mole's cousin, a famous literary figure called Auberon Mole, comes to stay after being invited by Toad to a 'literary soiree.' Mole's friends deem his dwelling and appearance too humble for the famous guest, and 'try to give him a little bit of style'. Toad and Ratty redecorate Mole's house, and Badger sets out to teach Mole a smattering of Latin and Shakespearean drama. Eventually Mole decides to resist the attempts to have him present himself as someone he is not. Auberon and Mole have a lovely time, and the others are somewhat ashamed of their earlier actions.
#13 - Burglary at Toad Hall
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/1984
Toad opens Toad Hall to the public in order to (modestly) show of his many family heirlooms. But the weasels have a dastardly plan to sabotage his efforts. All Toads possessions begin to disappear, causing him terrible embarrassment. Fortunately, Badger is on hand to save the day.
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