(All Quiet on the) Preston Front

While the TA are away on an exercise in Germany, Laura is preparing to sing at a conference being organised by Jeanetta. However, she doesn't know that this is down to Hodge's influence. A number of metaphorical landmines are about to explode...

Diesel's garage has some competition from a new service station, so he wants to brighten it up by buying some spotlights. However, his brother has spent their money on a church spire in memory of their father. Meanwhile, Laura has dumped Hodge following a misunderstanding over Kirsty and Eric is finally making progress in his tentative relationship with Dawn.

After months of secrecy, Lloydy's job is revealed. He works for Mitch Maddox, a wealthy land owner who has decided to be a farmer. Lloydy's latest task is to collect a valuable koi carp from Heathrow Airport. Meanwhile, the annual TA drill competition is taking place and Polson is determined that his section is going to win.

Eric's plans to improve his life seem to be getting somewhere when he gets a job working for Mr Wang. Unfortunately this particular job involves him walking around Roker Bridge wearing a dragon costume. Meanwhile, Hodge is spending more time in Blackpool.

Ally's husband, Frazer, is much older than his wife and is having a mid-life crisis which leads to him joining a Civil War re-enactment society. The group is due to stage a battle at the Roker Vale Show, where the TA is organising a recruitment caravan. Hodge is not attending the show, telling Eric that he is taking Laura to Blackpool. Meanwhile, Polson is enjoying the fact that in real life he is now Rundle's boss.

The members of 2 Section at Roker Bridge TA are getting distracted by revising trivia prior to a charity quiz that Eric is organising to take place after the forthcoming weekend exercise in Abergwen. However, Hodge has decided that he doesn't want to go to Wales, preferring to spend his time with his new girlfriend, Laura, who sings in Mr Wang's Chinese restaurant.

Lloydy has been evicted from his flat so he has bought a narrowboat to live on and insists on taking his friends for a cruise at the weekend. They are even to be joined by Laura, who has finally realised Greg's intentions towards her, and wants comfort from Hodge. However, Hodge has other matters to worry about...

When the spire on his garage collapses on top of him, Diesel has a near death experience and subsequently finds God. Meanwhile, Laura invites Hodge to join her and Greg Scarry for their next business meal in order to reassure him about their relationship.

The strains are starting to show in Polson's marriage, not helped by the fact that it is his fifth wedding anniversary while he is away on a two week course that will decide whether or not he becomes a sergeant. Meanwhile, Hodge has been invited to Kirsty's birthday party and Laura is going out on a business lunch with Greg Scarry.

There is a party of German students and their teachers staying in Roker Bridge as it is Spock's leg of the exchange visit which he arranged with Dieter, a history teacher in the German equivalent of the TA. Dieter seems very active and young at heart, in contrast to Spock's staid image. However, it is the female teacher accompanying the party who attracts Spock's attention - and she seems to be interested in him...

The TA are organising an outward bound weekend for a group of executives. Meanwhile, Laura is preparing for her first catering contract at an event organised by Jeanetta, and Hodge and his friends are helping out as waiters. This leads to Hodge's reunion with Kirsty and Laura meeting one Greg Scarry...

Lloydy has made a lot of money from his board game, Gurkha Tank Battle, and seems intent on spending as much of it as possible on a car. Meanwhile, Eric and Dawn are going to the end of term ball at Roker College as their first official date. Eric wants Hodge and Laura to go with them; however Hodge is not keen and Laura seems to be too busy becoming a businesswoman.

Dawn and Eric are preparing for their wedding, amidst the formal arrangements being organised by Dawn's parents. Unfortunately the wedding is at the same time as Jeanetta and Kirsty's flight leaves, so Hodge will not be able to say goodbye at the airport. Meanwhile, Spock is trying a change of image after being voted most boring teacher at school.

Hodge plans to spend a quiet weekend in a cottage with Kirsty. When Eric finds out that Dawn was staying as well he is consumed by jealousy and immediately goes over. He finds that Hodge has already been interrupted by Diesel, Lloydy, Mel - and a recently liberated ostrich...

The members of 2 Section are acting as waiters at a formal mess dinner being organised by Polson. Ally is attending, but is getting drunk since she has found out that her husband has been having an affair with his ex-wife. An after dinner game of melon rugby allows a few scores to be settled, but behind the scenes trouble is brewing between Hodge and Eric.

Spock aims to help a disinterested pupil achieve something with his life, fearing that he may grow up to be another Lloydy. Meanwhile, Lloydy himself has bought a talking car and Mr Wang has a plan to improve the fortunes of his restaurant - but it involves Diesel pretending to be The Artist Formerly Known As Prince...

Lloydy has finally moved out of Hodge's caravan, although Dawn and Eric are not exactly pleased when they find out that he has bought the flat below theirs. Hodge now has his freedom and enjoys a drunken night with Mel, who he meets at the drill hall. However, he is in for trouble when he finds out who she is related to...

Mr Wang's expectations of success for the Roman Holiday are dashed when he learns of the opening of a rival Chinese Restaurant. Eric convinces him to fight back, although it soon appears that this is not a sensible course of action. Meanwhile, Dawn has decided that she no longer wants to be a teacher.

Despite the fact that Lloydy is staying with him, Hodge's mood has brightened because he is being allowed to take Kirtsy out for the day by himself - for the first time. However, this relies on him passing his driving test, which he is having to take in the noodle van...