Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976)
Bouquet of Barbed Wire is a British television series based on a 1969 novel by Andrea Newman. The series – whose title comes from an incident that occurred to Newman and her mother while on a walk – was made by London Weekend Television for ITV in 1976. A new adaptation of the novel was made in 2010.
Seasons & Episode
Student Prue Sorensen (Susan Penhaligon) falls pregnant to and marries American actor Gavin (James Aubrey). Her father, Peter Manson (Frank Finlay), is a publisher who has an unhealthy relationship with her and becomes distressed over her pregnancy and marriage. The pregnancy creates tension between Peter and Gavin, which Prue exploits for her own amusement. Has Prue engineered the marriage and pregnancy to provoke her father? Tensions rise further as Prue and Gavin stay at her parents' house for the weekend...
Sarah (Deborah Grant) is hired as Peter's new office secretary. Peter is attracted to Sarah and quietly contrasts her ambition to Prue's apparent recklessness. Sarah's alcoholic father arrives unannounced. Cassie, fearful that the family is growing apart, suggests that she and Peter holiday in Scotland with their two young sons, where they honeymooned. Peter remains increasingly obsessed with Prue...
Peter and Sarah cross the line and risk exposure when they rendezvous in Prue and Gavin's apartment...
When Peter sets Sarah up in a flat, she feels less comfortable than she envisaged, despite boyfriend Geoff departing for Frankfurt. Gavin is surprised but amused to deduce that Peter and Sarah used his and Prue's flat for a daytime tryst. On informing Prue, her reaction causes tension and pain for everyone, including herself...
As realisations about personal and sexual inclinations come to the fore for Gavin and Cassie, physicalities get out of hand.
Gavin has to straddle the dynamics of life with Prue after her discharge from hospital, with his deepening feelings for Cassie. Peter's attentions for Sarah leave her feeling trapped and beholden, resulting in her re-connecting with Geoff on his return from Frankfurt. Prue goes into labour with palpable tensions for all.
In the wake of Prue giving birth, Peter reaches a decision which neither Sarah nor Cassie are particularly enamoured with. Geoff, still ever supportive of Sarah, leaves for Frankfurt. Gavin is delighted with newly born Eve as a shock event impacts everyone's world.