The dying Master of Porterhouse succumbs to a Porterhouse Blue - a stroke brought on by over-indulgence. In his place comes a new Master, Sir Godber Evans, an ex-grammar-school boy, failed politician and old Porterhusian, who chooses the occasion of the annual great feast to announce a major break with six centuries of college tradition: Porterhouse will open its doors to scholars!

The Dean mounts an attack to counter the new master, Sir Godber Evans, who continues with his attempt to drag the college into the modern world.

Meanwhile, Skullion finds an ally in old Porterhusian Sir Cathcart D'Eath, and Zipser seeks 'confidential' counselling with the Chaplain about his obsession with the buxom bedder Mrs Biggs, which is getting out of control.

The new Master, Sir Godber, is in self-congratulatory mood. His plans to impose change on Porterhouse appear to have the College's traditionalist Fellows over a barrel. In response, the Dean and Sir Cathcart D'Eath bring in investigative journalist and former Porterhouse student Cornelius Carrington to help fight their corner.