Sentence inquiry

Which one is right?
I did what you had suggested and it worked out well.
I did what you suggested and it worked out well.

Should it be with 'had' or without? Both are OK. The meaning is clear.

Thank you. So the use of 'had' has no major effect here?

Please tell me in what instances should had be used when talking about the past.

That was clear. Thanks. So basically the of use of 'had' refers to a an event prior to an event in the past. I am not sure if what I said is clear.

And as you said, it depends on clarity and context, because you gave examples which mean the same, the first and the last one.

Lastly, what if I said in the second example: Mary cooked dinner before then. Would that be clear without '

Yes, You have the right general understanding of all this.

Clive

That is great, thank you.

What about my question on your second example: ........... Mary cooked dinner before then.

Is it now clear after adding (before then) without 'had', or should 'had' still be included?

Thanks. I would like to know if it is ok not to use had in this sentence, after adding before then.

Tom came home at 6pm. Mary cooked dinner before then.

Also, would it be correct to say:
He ate dinner and then watched TV.
He ate dinner before (watching TV) or (he watched TV). Would watching indicate that he is presently watching TV, and he watched indicates that it was i