It's Christmas, and business is booming for TV shop owner Rex Hawkins as the residents of Aidensfield prepare to watch Her Majesty's speech. Rex clashes with many villagers over married women and fault TVs, and when he is attacked outside the Aidensfield Arms, Nick finds himself bombarded with suspects - one being Alf Ventress! Meanwhile, Greengrass accidentally smashes a collection of china that he had promised to sell to Gina. He tries to blame the postal system for the breakage in order to get compensation, with the added bonus of getting one over on Blaketon.

Mike's past comes back to haunt him when his old flame Penny arrives claiming he is the father of her baby. To make matters a lot worse, DI Shiner warns Nick that two gangsters who Mike nailed in London have been released from prison with vengeance on their mind. Meanwhile, Greengrass falls in love with a poacher called Tessa Blundell, while Nick and Jo make big plans for the future, which could mean big changes at Ashfordly station.