Episodes: 8 | Released: 2001 | Certificate: 15 | Genre: Comedy | Director: Tim Whitby
Actors: Helen Baxendale
, James Nesbitt
, John Thompson
, Fay Ripley
, Hermione Norris
, Robert Bathurst
Jenny and Pete are back together, but it's not long before the cracks in their relationship begin to show. David and Karen struggle to come to terms with infidelity as their ninth wedding anniversary looms, while newlyweds Adam and Rachel end up making the momentous decision to adopt.
Just when David thinks his therapy is showing results, Karen throws him out. Adam and Rachel begin the long, fraught adoption process, which immediately comes under threat with the reappearance of his former girlfriend Jane, and Pete is heartbroken when Jenny accepts a job offer that will take her to New York.
David finds he has no-one to turn to except Pete, who tries to deny his unhappiness at Jen's departure by sleeping with a string of women. Karen embraces life with renewed vigour, partying every night with new friend Jo. As the adoption process begins to take its toll on his relationship with Rachel, Adam confides in Jane Fitzpatrick : who makes it clear she wants to be more than friends
Pete's mother arrives and soon drives him mad with her incessant fussing : and it's clear she intends to stay long-term. David and Karen debate sending Josh to public school when it emerges their marital difficulties have been detrimental to his progress, while Adam and Rachel receive exciting news from the adoption agency.
Rachel and Adam take on the might of the social services in a bid to adopt Laura despite having their own child on the way : but have they really thought it through? David moves back home, but it's far from happy families as Karen seeks support on the wagon from dishy new boss Mark and Pete looks destined for another fall as he sets his sights on aerobics instructor Jo
David takes Karen to Chester races, with a view to buying her a horse for her birthday, but comes a cropper at the first hurdle by giving rival Mark an opportunity to nose ahead. Pete celebrates his new bachelor status by splashing out on a flashy sports car, and dating lessons from Jo start to pay off much quicker than he anticipated.
David buries his head in work as Karen embarks on a passionate affair with Mark, and portly Pete can't quite bring himself to reveal all to Jo. As the fun-loving fitness instructor heads for home on a fast-expiring visa, Rachel reveals the real reason for her abrupt departure : setting Pete on the flight path to romance as he hops on the next plane to Sydney.
The gang head off Down Under for Pete and Jo's wedding, with Rachel excited at the prospect of seeing her sister again and David determined to make the trip a second honeymoon with Karen. Adam embarks on a mission to save Pete from a terrible mistake, and finds an unlikely ally in Jo's father, who thinks the eager groom is only after her money.
