When the master of Cambridge college Porterhouse succumbs to a fatal stroke, he is replaced by the progressive Sir Godber Evans (Ian Richardson), who announces such earth-shattering initiatives as female students, a canteen and contraceptive machines. Head porter Skullion (David Jason) is outraged, along with the Fellows, and enlists the help of old Porterhousian Sir Cathcart D'Eath (Charles Gray) in foiling Sir Godber's schemes.