‘The Larkins’ recap: What happened in Episode 3?

ITV’s new version of The Darling Buds of May continued in the UK tonight!

Based on the novels by H.E. Bates, the six-part comedy-drama comes from the creator of The Durrells.

The original Darling Buds of May series ran for three seasons in the early 1990s.

Set in the late 1950’s, The Larkins follows the golden-hearted wheeler dealer Pop Larkin and his wife Ma, together with their six children, including the beautiful Mariette, as they bask in their idyllic and beautiful patch of paradise in Kent.

Bradley Walsh (Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK) and Joanna Scanlan (Notes on a Scandal) lead the cast as Pop and Ma.

They’re joined by Bridgerton actress Sabrina Bartlett as Mariette Larkin, the part originally played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, alongside Tok Stephen (Grantchester) as Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton.

Also appearing are Peter Davison (All Creatures Great and Small) as the Vicar, Robert Bathurst (Downton Abbey) as Johnny Delamere, Tony Gardner (Last Tango in Halifax) as Alec Norman, and Amelia Bullmore (Gentleman Jack) as Miss Edith Pilchester.

Here’s a plot recap for the third episode, ‘In which Pop and Ma go on holiday’, which aired on ITV at 8pm on Sunday 24th October 2021:

Ma, worried that Pop is working too hard, books a weekend in Margate.

Charley (now fully ensconced in the Larkins household) and Mariette are left to mind the kids and sort out the new (huge and ghastly) TV aerial which is being delivered by the wily Wilf.

In the meantime, Tom Fisher is making his move and asks Mariette on a date, much to Charley’s chagrin.

Margate is a bit of a let-down, but Ma and Pop do their best to cheer up a wedding party in their hotel and end up rescuing the newlyweds from their controlling mothers.

Ma and Pop then have a lovely time on the beach eating ice creams and paddling in the sea but when Ma tries out her new tangerine swimsuit Pop has to rescue her, and her dignity, from the sea.

Meanwhile things aren’t going too well on Tom and Mariette’s date as Pauline (Mariette’s bête noir) is determined to put an end to the romance.

Ma and Pop return home pleased to be back with the family they know and love.

The complete original The Darling Buds of May series is available on DVD on Amazon.