Rocket Man
George enlists the help of friends and co-workers at the chocolate factory he works in to construct and launch a rocket to release his recently dead wife's ashes into space. Plus he deals with his young son's needs as well as his teenage daughter's ambitions to be a rock singer.
- 2005-2005
- 1 season
- BBC America
- Drama
George enlists the help of friends and co-workers at the chocolate factory he works in to construct and launch a rocket to release his recently dead wife's ashes into space. Plus he deals with his young son's needs as well as his teenage daughter's ambitions to be a rock singer.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2005
Episode 1
Fly Me to the Moon
Tue, Apr 18, 2006
George Stevenson is a widower with a teenage daughter and a young son. He works in a chocolate factory but spends almost all of his free time building a rocket in his garage. He promised his children that they would send their mother's ashes into space so that when they look at the Milky Way, they would know she was part of it. His first attempt at shooting the rocket is a dismal failure but when he meets Mary Hughes, he finds a kindred spirit who also happens to know a lot about science. His teenage daughter Angela feels that too much of the burden of the household is on her shoulders and things are not well at school for his son Tom so he seriously considers scrapping the whole idea.
Episode 2
Bodywork
Tue, Apr 25, 2006
George has to be rescued by the lifeboat service when he tries to retrieve his expended rocket from the sea. He and his pal Barney Scott decide the rocket is too heavy and they set about trying to find a lighter metal, in spite of their shortage of funds. George finds himself committing to increased time at his son's school and he also invites Mary for an evening out at the social club. Rebellious Angela decides to dye her hair blond. Barney and his wife Diane are still trying for a baby but when George finds their pregnancy test kit in his waste bin, he jumps to the wrong conclusion. When Barney fails to show up for an appointment, he and George have a major falling out.
Episode 3
Ingredient X
Tue, May 2, 2006
George's new fuel mixture doesn't quite work out as planned with the resulting explosion and fire destroying much of his garage. Under orders from the fire officer, the lads now have to find a new site to test the rocket. They settle on the now closed factory where most of them used to work but again, things don't quite go as planned. Mary and George have a pleasant evening out with another couple and George realizes that Mary is far more serious about their future that he might be. Barney and Diane undergo fertility testing and based on the results, ask George for a favor. Angela spends hours preparing a special dinner for Ed, so when he cancels at the last minute for band rehearsal, she has a few choice words for him.
Episode 4
Lost and Found
Tue, May 9, 2006
The lads continue to test their tracking system but Huw quits when former factory owner Eric comes on board. Shiner is in debt and George goes the extra mile to get him a job at the chocolate factory. Unfortunately, the head of human resources will extract a high price. When Shiner contaminates a batch of chocolate, he finds himself in trouble and decides there is only one way out. George lets Angela and her band mates use the garage for rehearsals but he regrets it when faced with the noise and the constant intrusions.
Episode 5
Freefall
Tue, May 16, 2006
With the successful launch of a prototype rocket, the only thing left for the team to do is build an acceptable parachute. George works his charm on the head of human resources when he finds a suitable material in the plant. Having gotten the material, George reluctantly accepts that they may have to ask some of the women to help sew the parachute but a last minute glitch may affect the whole plan. After catching Ed and Angela necking under a duvet, he lets Ed's mother know exactly what he thinks.
Episode 6
Letting Go
Tue, May 23, 2006
The testing of the rocket is now complete and all systems are go - except for George who is now having second thoughts about sending his wife's ashes into space. What started as something personal between himself and his wife has simply grown too big. Things get strained at home when George refuses to let Angela play her first gig with the band. Barney and Diane get good news - considerably more than they had hoped for.