Raquel - You’ve got to make contact with reality, Del. Everything about you is image! I saw you down the pub last night: we're broke - and you were throwing money around like Elton John! And instead of finding work, you prefer to sit in this recycled council flat pretending to be Quentin Tarantino! And when we go out in the Capri you insist on driving with the windows up - even in a heatwave - just to make other drivers think you've got air conditioning!
The end of this post-fortune trilogy and the final episode of Only Fools and Horses gives us a forensic look at the main characters, their motivations and emotions when responding to a crisis. The format of the episode still feels familiar but as it deals with some quite serious topics, it feels more like a drama at times and we really get under the skin of the characters. This is because the episode has to cover so much ground, including: confronting Del's controlling nature, the birth of Rodney & Cassandra's baby, Rodney's lineage. Uncle Albert's Will, coming up with money-making suggestions (both film scripts and Trigger's invention), along with side-stories of Boycie, Marlene, Denzil and Sid running the pub.
There are seemingly two problems: the official receiver is about to finally evict them from the flat in 10 days time, and there's a lawyer sending multiple letters through the door which to Del doesn't spell good news either. We see Del taking a leaf out of Rodney's book and running away from his problems and trying to protect both Raquel and Rodney from one of these truths each. "I'll tell him when the moment's right!"
When Rodney is told of the problem, it all comes out and Del is confronted by them both but it's Raquel that sticks the largest knife in. She's never been drawn in by his lies in the past and brings him down to earth with a thump. For all of the traits that we don't like about Del - she hits the nail on the head by labelling him a "control freak". We've seen his meddling in everyone's business in multiple episodes and he explains why, bringing us back to a similar speech as Del outlined in 'Big Brother' and the premise of the entire show.
Del - I am not a control-freak. It's just that I have had no choice. Do you realise that when I was 16 my old man walked out and left me and Rodney in the care of our daft old Grandad?! He tried his best but he wasn't up to it! So I had to take over; and I've been doing it ever since and I can't get out of the habit!
This is the core of the story. John Sullivan has spent over 60 episodes crafting it so he articulates the rationale so perfectly and it not only makes sense, it also acquits Del of all of his past mistakes. His failure all along is letting go and allowing others in his life the freedom to operate independently - with Rodney most impacted.
Rodney has his own issues to worry about too - Cassandra is now heavily pregnant. His way out of the mess is to try and do something big and dramatic, like come up with a screenplay for a movie. This harks back to 'Video Nasty' where we have a similar scene where Rodney is nervous of the wild ideas, now however (and a few drinks to encourage him) he's coming up with ideas that make zero sense. Del is convinced of the idea when he hears how much J K Rowling has made from Harry Potter - and decides the easiest thing to do is write one of those stories, getting around the copyright issue by calling the character "Harry Trotter!"
The other main driver of the entire show's run has been the dynamic between Del and Rodney and addressing how two brothers could be so different in both physical and mental capacity. This is because of Rodney's father being confirmed to be Freddie Robdul - as outlined in 'The Frog's Legacy'/ Rodney makes his peace with this matter by talking it through with his Mum at her new obelisk and then with Del at the end of the episode. The final heart to heart between the two of them underlines the theme of it doesn't matter who you are biologically, it's their brotherly bond over all those years that define their brotherly relationship.
The birth of Rodney & Cassandra's baby gives us a moment of suspense and Rodney is told that he "can't be there for the birth" making him fearful that something has gone wrong as it did in 'Modern Men'. But the fact that the C-section went fine and delivered them a healthy baby girl is a heart-warming moment of relief. Her being named Joan means the world to Del too who idolises his Mum.
Uncle Albert's legacy also continues on into this episode too as they finally get around to seeing the solicitor who had written so many letters.
Rodney - Look can't you cut to the chase and tell us the worst?
Del - Yeah, you tell us what you're suing us for and we'll tell you why we can't pay!
It's ironic that had Del only gone to see them earlier then there would not have been so many issues around the eviction, but he assumed the worst. The solicitor delivering the line "he simply invested your gift and, with respect, in a far more stable area that you managed to" is just killer in terms of putting the brothers in their place. Albert leaving them £145,000 each is enough to sort out their issues and get them very much back on their feet and settled, but not enough for them to get carried away - it's spot on.
Finally, we can't not mention the secondary characters, who offer the most comedy in the episode (beyond the screenplay scene). I haven't mentioned Damien too much, but he has grown up to be the voice of a different generation, essentially replacing Uncle Albert but offering a younger voice and perspective. Trigger's invention and stargazing is a classic Trigger sidebar, he's never critical to the plot any more but we still love his moments. Denzil and Marlene's simultaneous disappearance gives us a chance to see Del showcasing his subtlety in front of Boycie - who gets to prove Del wrong but finally gets his wallet raided after uttering the wrong words in the pub "I'm paying for all this!"
This final episode does what all good final episodes do - it closes the book on any unanswered questions, tying off any loose ends, gives each character a satisfying and justified ending and remaining true to its core values and style.
What else can I say about it, except "Bonjour!"
Tuesday, 9 June 2020
Monday, 8 June 2020
Christmas Special 2002 - Strangers On The Shore
Del - I don’t know about 'Sainte Claire de la Chapelle', they should've renamed this place 'Trottersville'!
Given Buster Merryfield's untimely death, we had the funeral taken care of in the last episode, but this one feels more like the homage along with the scattering of his ashes at sea. What's so great about it is that we had heard of Albert's antics overseas with other women, but it takes his old crewmate George Parker to explain to what extent - in an Albert-esque "during the war" story.
George - Albert was a bit of a lad in those days. He could sing, he could dance, he could play the piano... and the women liked him - and he liked the women! And during our stay here, how should I put it, he kept himself busy!
The moment that the brothers look around the restaurant and village where Albert and his crew had been granted refuge and notice all of the bald heads and beards is both hilarious and insightful. It gives us time to remember Albert's personality in both the way we always have and a new light all at once. It's like there's a whole community of Little Alberts dotted around the world, and they've stumbled upon the capital city.
What's also so perfect about this episode is we have had 62 episodes previously, most of which have had Del Boy quoting French phrases in as if he thinks he's bilingual. His arrival into France brings on his curiosity with the language to another level - and he's got the beret to suit.
Del - One of my most favouritest meals 'Duck A L'orange', but I don't know how to say that in French.
Rodney - It's 'canard'
Del - You can say that again, bruv!
Rodney - The French for duck is canard.
Del - Right, lovely jubbly! Right so how do the French say ‘A L'orange’?
Rodney - ‘A l'orange’!
Del - What the same as we do?!
Rodney - Yes!
Del - Coh dear, it’s a pity they don’t use more of our words innit eh?!
Dropping into the wine warehouse before catching the ferry back, the brothers bump into Denzil which Del has set up him previously in the pub - forcing his hand by making it look like his idea to smuggle a truck load of booze back.
Denzil - You can beer and spirits very cheaply in France. And here’s me with a lorry, and Sid with a pub!
Trigger - So what you saying?
Denzil - What I’m saying Trig is that Del buys £1000 of half-price alcohol, we drive it back in the truck, Sid gets a cellar full of cheap booze and we share the profits!
Del - No, I was thinking of bringing you all back some nice French cheese. But now you’ve suggested that, that is a brilliant idea Denzil!
Only the Trotters could end up with what they believe to be an illegal immigrant in the back of the lorry. The Gary scene is so clever as we get to see it from both angles - the Trotters who think they are doing the right thing by giving him a bed and a roof over his head whilst they figure out what to do with him, and then Rasheed's (Gary's) perspective where he believes he is being held hostage. The interview later where he claims that he heard some words of English is a hark back to 'From Prussia With Love'.
The final thread in the episode is Boycie who has become reliant on Del for not just driving him around but also taking him in when the gas board evict him from their flat. After years of bullying and snide comments, Boycie is faced with admitting that Del is actually the closest thing that he has to a friend and the one that he calls on in his hour of need. His downward spiral from about to become a multi-millionaire, to then spending his nights on the Trotters' camp bed next to an assumed asylum seeker, and then arrested on suspicion of kidnapping (all while smelling of onions) is entertaining as we the audience have always felt little empathy for his character as he has done towards Del.
The main criticism of these latter episodes. possibly starting at Miami Twice is how unbelievable they have become. Up to that point, Del's antics and schemes had always had an air of plausibility to them. This episode falls down on this right at the end again with the businessman that Boycie has been dealing with possibly being another of Albert's offspring, but also the father of the man that was smuggled into the country in Denzil's van. I personally am not sure that this ending was needed.
Tomorrow's episode: Sleepless In Peckham
Given Buster Merryfield's untimely death, we had the funeral taken care of in the last episode, but this one feels more like the homage along with the scattering of his ashes at sea. What's so great about it is that we had heard of Albert's antics overseas with other women, but it takes his old crewmate George Parker to explain to what extent - in an Albert-esque "during the war" story.
George - Albert was a bit of a lad in those days. He could sing, he could dance, he could play the piano... and the women liked him - and he liked the women! And during our stay here, how should I put it, he kept himself busy!
The moment that the brothers look around the restaurant and village where Albert and his crew had been granted refuge and notice all of the bald heads and beards is both hilarious and insightful. It gives us time to remember Albert's personality in both the way we always have and a new light all at once. It's like there's a whole community of Little Alberts dotted around the world, and they've stumbled upon the capital city.
What's also so perfect about this episode is we have had 62 episodes previously, most of which have had Del Boy quoting French phrases in as if he thinks he's bilingual. His arrival into France brings on his curiosity with the language to another level - and he's got the beret to suit.
Del - One of my most favouritest meals 'Duck A L'orange', but I don't know how to say that in French.
Rodney - It's 'canard'
Del - You can say that again, bruv!
Rodney - The French for duck is canard.
Del - Right, lovely jubbly! Right so how do the French say ‘A L'orange’?
Rodney - ‘A l'orange’!
Del - What the same as we do?!
Rodney - Yes!
Del - Coh dear, it’s a pity they don’t use more of our words innit eh?!
Dropping into the wine warehouse before catching the ferry back, the brothers bump into Denzil which Del has set up him previously in the pub - forcing his hand by making it look like his idea to smuggle a truck load of booze back.
Denzil - You can beer and spirits very cheaply in France. And here’s me with a lorry, and Sid with a pub!
Trigger - So what you saying?
Denzil - What I’m saying Trig is that Del buys £1000 of half-price alcohol, we drive it back in the truck, Sid gets a cellar full of cheap booze and we share the profits!
Del - No, I was thinking of bringing you all back some nice French cheese. But now you’ve suggested that, that is a brilliant idea Denzil!
Only the Trotters could end up with what they believe to be an illegal immigrant in the back of the lorry. The Gary scene is so clever as we get to see it from both angles - the Trotters who think they are doing the right thing by giving him a bed and a roof over his head whilst they figure out what to do with him, and then Rasheed's (Gary's) perspective where he believes he is being held hostage. The interview later where he claims that he heard some words of English is a hark back to 'From Prussia With Love'.
The final thread in the episode is Boycie who has become reliant on Del for not just driving him around but also taking him in when the gas board evict him from their flat. After years of bullying and snide comments, Boycie is faced with admitting that Del is actually the closest thing that he has to a friend and the one that he calls on in his hour of need. His downward spiral from about to become a multi-millionaire, to then spending his nights on the Trotters' camp bed next to an assumed asylum seeker, and then arrested on suspicion of kidnapping (all while smelling of onions) is entertaining as we the audience have always felt little empathy for his character as he has done towards Del.
The main criticism of these latter episodes. possibly starting at Miami Twice is how unbelievable they have become. Up to that point, Del's antics and schemes had always had an air of plausibility to them. This episode falls down on this right at the end again with the businessman that Boycie has been dealing with possibly being another of Albert's offspring, but also the father of the man that was smuggled into the country in Denzil's van. I personally am not sure that this ending was needed.
Tomorrow's episode: Sleepless In Peckham
Sunday, 7 June 2020
Christmas Special 2001 - If They Could See Us Now...!
Jonathan Ross - Derek, you’ve used up all your options, you’ve lost all your money, you’re frozen out of the game.
After a 5 year absence, John Sullivan was convinced to bring back the show, and based on the episode pulling in 21.3 million viewers - there was demand. I think that the episode failed to live up to many people's expectations and particularly the heady heights of the 1996 trilogy. There had to be script rewrites due to the deaths of Buster Merryfield (Albert) and Kenneth MacDonald (Mike), but I understand the frustrations with the episode, particularly Albert's funeral scene which feels tacked on.
There is a formulaic element to the episode - it harks back to past successes but also feels like there is a checklist of things that must happen just because it's Only Fools and Horses. As such, it feels cramped at times and the supporting cast have been wheeled out to show that they are simply still there. However all in all the back end of the episode delivers and the characters still feel familiar - a credit to the acting of particularly David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
In order to get the show back to a form of 'business as usual' Sullivan has to rid the Trotters of their wealth - he's quoted as saying that being rich isn't funny, and it would be hard to argue against that. He recalls reading about a similar stock market crash and fully believed that the Trotters would have lost their money getting carried away with investing as Del had done at the end of 'Time On Our Hands'. He also ties Mike's fate to their failure and then adding him trying to embezzle the brewery as to why he's behind bars, putting Sid in charge of the pub in his absence.
Albert's funeral scene is classic misdirection - where it's seemingly clear that everything is fine until it dawns on everyone that the assumption we had made is disingenuous. Their turning up to the wrong funeral is funny, but as a result we didn't get a proper goodbye to Albert - but the next episode does make up for it. Whereas with Grandad's death we had a specific episode right away to slot into the series focussing on the matter, here it must've been a choice on abandon the script or re-write but giving it limited time. Del's attitude and behaviour also feels a little out of character, we have seen him be the hard man before but he seems to jump the gun a little too much here - particularly against someone who we believe at the time is extended family. It feels like a reminder of the importance of family ties to Del's character but instead of celebrating Albert's character it focusses more on this.
As the Trotters end up back at Nelson Mandela House after Del is declared bankrupt, it feels like a reset button and the start of a new episode almost. Rodney is now in charge, and not making much of a better situation, falling for Mickey's prank call as an advisor to the Sultan of Brunei. Del still can't help but assume that Rodney's management of the company is essentially cosmetic, it's as if the reset button puts Del back into the game that he craved for even after earning over £6 million in the last episode.
Del - Rodney's only come up with a brilliant idea to save the family: he's going to be the new Managing Director of Trotter's Independent Traders! I'm going to be in charge of sales, purchasing and finance, that's all.
Rodney also has decided that he and Cassandra should try for another baby as part of a wider plan to get his marriage back on track. He suggests some fantasy-based therapy that he's read about where they become different people in the eyes of their partner. The pay off of Rodney getting Cassandra to dress up in a policewoman's uniform is a pay off of one of the longest running jokes about his obsession with uniforms. It also gives us a great little scene where Del thinks he's being raided.
The highlight of the episode is possibly the most simplest moment, in Trigger coming round as Del said he will drive him to the pub (despite him having to walk past the pub to get to their flat). There's just something magical about Del thinking Trigger knows classical music, just for a second.
Del - What's this?
Trigger - It's Mozart's Symphony Number 38, in D major.... It's a karaoke version!
Del was supposed to be heading to the TV studio as he has surprised everyone by entering into a gameshow called Goldrush (which was supposed to be Who Wants To Be A Millionaire but ITV wouldn't give the BBC the rights to use it). This scene is a little far-fetched at times but Del's own sense of logic gets him to muddle through.
The subversion of the end where they think Mickey has phoned up to rectify the mistake is more like the kind of wally-ish behaviour we expect and have seen before from the Trotters - it reminds me of Del throwing the money out of the window in 'To Hull And Back'.
Tomorrow's episode: Strangers On The Shore
After a 5 year absence, John Sullivan was convinced to bring back the show, and based on the episode pulling in 21.3 million viewers - there was demand. I think that the episode failed to live up to many people's expectations and particularly the heady heights of the 1996 trilogy. There had to be script rewrites due to the deaths of Buster Merryfield (Albert) and Kenneth MacDonald (Mike), but I understand the frustrations with the episode, particularly Albert's funeral scene which feels tacked on.
There is a formulaic element to the episode - it harks back to past successes but also feels like there is a checklist of things that must happen just because it's Only Fools and Horses. As such, it feels cramped at times and the supporting cast have been wheeled out to show that they are simply still there. However all in all the back end of the episode delivers and the characters still feel familiar - a credit to the acting of particularly David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
In order to get the show back to a form of 'business as usual' Sullivan has to rid the Trotters of their wealth - he's quoted as saying that being rich isn't funny, and it would be hard to argue against that. He recalls reading about a similar stock market crash and fully believed that the Trotters would have lost their money getting carried away with investing as Del had done at the end of 'Time On Our Hands'. He also ties Mike's fate to their failure and then adding him trying to embezzle the brewery as to why he's behind bars, putting Sid in charge of the pub in his absence.
Albert's funeral scene is classic misdirection - where it's seemingly clear that everything is fine until it dawns on everyone that the assumption we had made is disingenuous. Their turning up to the wrong funeral is funny, but as a result we didn't get a proper goodbye to Albert - but the next episode does make up for it. Whereas with Grandad's death we had a specific episode right away to slot into the series focussing on the matter, here it must've been a choice on abandon the script or re-write but giving it limited time. Del's attitude and behaviour also feels a little out of character, we have seen him be the hard man before but he seems to jump the gun a little too much here - particularly against someone who we believe at the time is extended family. It feels like a reminder of the importance of family ties to Del's character but instead of celebrating Albert's character it focusses more on this.
As the Trotters end up back at Nelson Mandela House after Del is declared bankrupt, it feels like a reset button and the start of a new episode almost. Rodney is now in charge, and not making much of a better situation, falling for Mickey's prank call as an advisor to the Sultan of Brunei. Del still can't help but assume that Rodney's management of the company is essentially cosmetic, it's as if the reset button puts Del back into the game that he craved for even after earning over £6 million in the last episode.
Del - Rodney's only come up with a brilliant idea to save the family: he's going to be the new Managing Director of Trotter's Independent Traders! I'm going to be in charge of sales, purchasing and finance, that's all.
Rodney also has decided that he and Cassandra should try for another baby as part of a wider plan to get his marriage back on track. He suggests some fantasy-based therapy that he's read about where they become different people in the eyes of their partner. The pay off of Rodney getting Cassandra to dress up in a policewoman's uniform is a pay off of one of the longest running jokes about his obsession with uniforms. It also gives us a great little scene where Del thinks he's being raided.
The highlight of the episode is possibly the most simplest moment, in Trigger coming round as Del said he will drive him to the pub (despite him having to walk past the pub to get to their flat). There's just something magical about Del thinking Trigger knows classical music, just for a second.
Del - What's this?
Trigger - It's Mozart's Symphony Number 38, in D major.... It's a karaoke version!
Del was supposed to be heading to the TV studio as he has surprised everyone by entering into a gameshow called Goldrush (which was supposed to be Who Wants To Be A Millionaire but ITV wouldn't give the BBC the rights to use it). This scene is a little far-fetched at times but Del's own sense of logic gets him to muddle through.
The subversion of the end where they think Mickey has phoned up to rectify the mistake is more like the kind of wally-ish behaviour we expect and have seen before from the Trotters - it reminds me of Del throwing the money out of the window in 'To Hull And Back'.
Tomorrow's episode: Strangers On The Shore
Saturday, 6 June 2020
Christmas Trilogy 1996 - Time On Our Hands
Del - This time next year, we could be billionaires!
This episode is peak Only Fools & Horses - it's the 5th most watched programme in British TV history (outside of news and sporting events) and the 15th most watched thing on TV in total. And in terms of living up to the hype - it certainly delivers on it.
John Sullivan has this knack of picking up on little details from previous episodes and making them part of another plot. We've seen how the other two in this trilogy feed into this one, with Cassandra's pregnancy and miscarriage being one of the most prominent threads spanning all 3, but this episode gives us references that span all the way back to episode 1, series 1 'Big Brother' as well as a handful of other moments referred to.
The episode kicks off with dealing with the fallout of the miscarriage - with a particular focus on Rodney who it seems has returned to his days of going out drinking a lot, which we saw whenever his and Cassandra's relationship was on the rocks. Del recognises this trait in Rodney that "as soon as he gets it off his chest he’ll be fine". Del manages to stop the lift and get Rodney to open up and come to terms with what happened. We've seen Rodney run away from his problems in the past - Del is smart enough to pick his moment.
Rodney - You git! You stopped it!
Del - It was the only way I could get you talking... You can’t run away in a broken lift!
Following on from their getting in touch in 'Heroes And Villains' we get to meet Raquel's parents - James and Audrey. So much preparation has gone into the dinner, that its failure has to lie with Uncle Albert. The mix up between the gravy and the coffee is so wonderfully clumsy, it's the kind of thing that Grandad would've done and is reminiscent of his cooking mishaps. Del is in his element hosting, and goes over the top to try and impress as always.
It's James who spots the Harrison Lesser Watch in the garage the next day. It's also here where we get the main throwback to 'Big Brother' in Rodney keeping records to keep tabs on Del. Once he realises that he needs proof of ownership and Rodney is able to produce it, Del claims that it was his idea all along.
Del - I’ve always said 'always keep the receipts'!
As we move on to the Sotheby's scene which is often the most famous scene in the episode and show's history of the two brothers fainting.
In the earlier clip, we have Boycie continuing to gloat that he has a couple of cheap Skodas. The moment that Rodney goes to buy the Rolls Royce is the moment that Rodney shows how serious and mature he has become. In the pub when they celebrate, there's a distinct moment of Del and Boycie shaking hands. Boycie has mostly enjoyed his one-upmanship over Del and is therefore reluctant to celebrate the Trotters' success - giving Del become more successful is something that he never thought he would see.
After the celebrations we get a montage of what their lives become, with Our House as the backing track. It's a perfectly picked song - it's both relaxing symbolising the slowdown of their lives, with the lyrics also fitting great to their situation and the transition to the revisit of Nelson Mandela House.
There's so much history in the flat that it takes Del right back to the people that have made it so memorable: his mum, his dad and of course Grandad. Rodney turns up to have the second heart to heart in the episode - this time resolving Del's issues around letting go of his lifestyle and work. The final deal clip below gives us a wonderful line of "we could double our money on this!" The combination of this and the perfect timing of Albert's entrance makes this scene very memorable.
The end of the episode gives us what the show is all about - the two brothers debating how to go about making money with their elderly relative who's seen-it-all in toe. John Sullivan wanted the characters to turn into cartoons so that they couldn't be brought back. He mentions the sadness on the set when they finished shooting amongst the crew when they had finished and how it felt a shame that they weren't carrying on. Although it always feels like that the end should be with them becoming millionaires, Del's dialogue here of not wanting to stop as he has been going feels like it's coming direct from John Sullivan who doesn't want to stop writing.
Tomorrow's episode - If They Could See Us Now...!
This episode is peak Only Fools & Horses - it's the 5th most watched programme in British TV history (outside of news and sporting events) and the 15th most watched thing on TV in total. And in terms of living up to the hype - it certainly delivers on it.
John Sullivan has this knack of picking up on little details from previous episodes and making them part of another plot. We've seen how the other two in this trilogy feed into this one, with Cassandra's pregnancy and miscarriage being one of the most prominent threads spanning all 3, but this episode gives us references that span all the way back to episode 1, series 1 'Big Brother' as well as a handful of other moments referred to.
The episode kicks off with dealing with the fallout of the miscarriage - with a particular focus on Rodney who it seems has returned to his days of going out drinking a lot, which we saw whenever his and Cassandra's relationship was on the rocks. Del recognises this trait in Rodney that "as soon as he gets it off his chest he’ll be fine". Del manages to stop the lift and get Rodney to open up and come to terms with what happened. We've seen Rodney run away from his problems in the past - Del is smart enough to pick his moment.
Rodney - You git! You stopped it!
Del - It was the only way I could get you talking... You can’t run away in a broken lift!
Following on from their getting in touch in 'Heroes And Villains' we get to meet Raquel's parents - James and Audrey. So much preparation has gone into the dinner, that its failure has to lie with Uncle Albert. The mix up between the gravy and the coffee is so wonderfully clumsy, it's the kind of thing that Grandad would've done and is reminiscent of his cooking mishaps. Del is in his element hosting, and goes over the top to try and impress as always.
It's James who spots the Harrison Lesser Watch in the garage the next day. It's also here where we get the main throwback to 'Big Brother' in Rodney keeping records to keep tabs on Del. Once he realises that he needs proof of ownership and Rodney is able to produce it, Del claims that it was his idea all along.
Del - I’ve always said 'always keep the receipts'!
As we move on to the Sotheby's scene which is often the most famous scene in the episode and show's history of the two brothers fainting.
In the earlier clip, we have Boycie continuing to gloat that he has a couple of cheap Skodas. The moment that Rodney goes to buy the Rolls Royce is the moment that Rodney shows how serious and mature he has become. In the pub when they celebrate, there's a distinct moment of Del and Boycie shaking hands. Boycie has mostly enjoyed his one-upmanship over Del and is therefore reluctant to celebrate the Trotters' success - giving Del become more successful is something that he never thought he would see.
After the celebrations we get a montage of what their lives become, with Our House as the backing track. It's a perfectly picked song - it's both relaxing symbolising the slowdown of their lives, with the lyrics also fitting great to their situation and the transition to the revisit of Nelson Mandela House.
There's so much history in the flat that it takes Del right back to the people that have made it so memorable: his mum, his dad and of course Grandad. Rodney turns up to have the second heart to heart in the episode - this time resolving Del's issues around letting go of his lifestyle and work. The final deal clip below gives us a wonderful line of "we could double our money on this!" The combination of this and the perfect timing of Albert's entrance makes this scene very memorable.
The end of the episode gives us what the show is all about - the two brothers debating how to go about making money with their elderly relative who's seen-it-all in toe. John Sullivan wanted the characters to turn into cartoons so that they couldn't be brought back. He mentions the sadness on the set when they finished shooting amongst the crew when they had finished and how it felt a shame that they weren't carrying on. Although it always feels like that the end should be with them becoming millionaires, Del's dialogue here of not wanting to stop as he has been going feels like it's coming direct from John Sullivan who doesn't want to stop writing.
Tomorrow's episode - If They Could See Us Now...!
Friday, 5 June 2020
Christmas Trilogy 1996 - Modern Men
Rodney - I don’t believe this - the one job in the paper I fancied and it’s mine!
Del is living his life by the code of a new book "Modern Man" - which only reinforces the worst decisions and traits that he already has. There's a line right at the beginning that reads "a compliment is the easiest thing to give and the nicest thing to receive" to which he promptly ignores Raquel and then continues to insult her throughout the episode - for example when they are discussing the possibility of a second child.
Raquel - It's not just that it's the financial aspect, we can barely afford the mortgage on this place let alone feed another mouth. Then there's the age thing to consider...
Del - Yeah, you're not getting any younger are ya?
The celebration of Cassandra's pregnancy in The Nags Head is a nice scene with the ensemble cast, Mickey Pearce has become a scientist double-glazing salesman and Del shares a neat bar bet with Mike and Trigger. I love that Trigger performs this to Rodney and then puts the money in his hand as if it's part of the act. Del also sells Mike a hairdryer - which turns out later in the episode to be an electric paint stripper.
Rodney admits that he gets "so frustrated working for Del" and has to think more carefully about the future with the baby on the way. His application for the job advertised by Del in the paper is one of my all time favourite scenes - it's so perfectly written, timed and performed especially the moment at the end when they end up looking at each other. The realisation dawning on Rodney when Del says "your duties you see is to take all of this crap down the market, and you'll sell it from a suitcase" is just sublime acting from Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Part of Rodney's lack of job satisfaction is mentioned as having "an angry Sikh after our blood". Dr Singh riding a motorbike in his turban is Del's inspiration for Trotters Crash Turbans - a way of him getting rid of the horse riding helmets he's been lumbered with. Albert points out the design flaw in that the turban isn't in contact with the head putting an end to that idea - and Raquel's scarf.
As part of Del's book encouraging him to make positive decisions, after agreeing with Raquel that they won't have another child, Del decides to have a vasectomy. Despite him eventually not going through with it, he seriously considers the procedure initially booking himself in. Considering Del's history with doctors (the second throw-back to 'Sickness And Wealth' after his pyjamas reveal) this is a bold move for him. His nightmare involving Mr Singh performing the operation probably doesn't help his nerves however and he bottles it.
Rodney - So why aren't you having a vasectomy then? Didn't have the balls?!
What makes this episode so strong is how it finds a way of finding humour in the most tragic of moments - Cassandra's miscarriage. In the clip below Gwyneth Strong talks about it making us both laugh and cry - a powerful combination which showcases the strength of the script and how the show elevated itself to beyond a comedy - it was about life. It's moments like this that make the show so unique amongst its peers - not many sitcoms have this level of emotion in them, off the top of my head the final scene of Blackadder is one that hits a similar tone of seriousness. However it's the one-two punch of crying at the situation and then laughing at Del ignoring his own powerful advice about being a "rock for Cassandra" moments later as he breaks down that makes the writing so special. It's a very real and human moment.
Of course we end up finishing with a laugh - as the vast majority of the episodes do. Del punching the drunk/high patient in order to sober him up whilst looking like a doctor gives us a chuckle to relieve us off the sadness we had just witnessed.
Tomorrow's episode: Time On Our Hands
Del is living his life by the code of a new book "Modern Man" - which only reinforces the worst decisions and traits that he already has. There's a line right at the beginning that reads "a compliment is the easiest thing to give and the nicest thing to receive" to which he promptly ignores Raquel and then continues to insult her throughout the episode - for example when they are discussing the possibility of a second child.
Raquel - It's not just that it's the financial aspect, we can barely afford the mortgage on this place let alone feed another mouth. Then there's the age thing to consider...
Del - Yeah, you're not getting any younger are ya?
The celebration of Cassandra's pregnancy in The Nags Head is a nice scene with the ensemble cast, Mickey Pearce has become a scientist double-glazing salesman and Del shares a neat bar bet with Mike and Trigger. I love that Trigger performs this to Rodney and then puts the money in his hand as if it's part of the act. Del also sells Mike a hairdryer - which turns out later in the episode to be an electric paint stripper.
Part of Rodney's lack of job satisfaction is mentioned as having "an angry Sikh after our blood". Dr Singh riding a motorbike in his turban is Del's inspiration for Trotters Crash Turbans - a way of him getting rid of the horse riding helmets he's been lumbered with. Albert points out the design flaw in that the turban isn't in contact with the head putting an end to that idea - and Raquel's scarf.
Rodney - So why aren't you having a vasectomy then? Didn't have the balls?!
What makes this episode so strong is how it finds a way of finding humour in the most tragic of moments - Cassandra's miscarriage. In the clip below Gwyneth Strong talks about it making us both laugh and cry - a powerful combination which showcases the strength of the script and how the show elevated itself to beyond a comedy - it was about life. It's moments like this that make the show so unique amongst its peers - not many sitcoms have this level of emotion in them, off the top of my head the final scene of Blackadder is one that hits a similar tone of seriousness. However it's the one-two punch of crying at the situation and then laughing at Del ignoring his own powerful advice about being a "rock for Cassandra" moments later as he breaks down that makes the writing so special. It's a very real and human moment.
Of course we end up finishing with a laugh - as the vast majority of the episodes do. Del punching the drunk/high patient in order to sober him up whilst looking like a doctor gives us a chuckle to relieve us off the sadness we had just witnessed.
Tomorrow's episode: Time On Our Hands
Thursday, 4 June 2020
Christmas Trilogy 1996 - Heroes And Villains
Councillor Murray - It's Batman!
We're hurtling towards the end of the show's run but this trilogy of episodes are all equally placed high on the list in many people's favourite episodes and it's clear to see why. My personal favourite is 'Modern Men' - but there are plenty of people who will argue that this is the best of the 3 episodes and it is hard to argue on re-watching.
I usually have 1 main moment that I can find on YouTube or share in meme form. The fact that 'Heroes And Villains' has 3 clips available shows how well loved the moments in this episode are, and demonstrates the variety of them. On top of these are some classic moments such as the mugging chase and Del's medal, as well as scenes which are built upon in the following 2 episodes. Cassandra's pregnancy is announced, but is miscarried in 'Modern Men' and then there's Rodney coming to terms with it in 'Time On Our Hands'. Raquel also is back in touch with her parents, a plot line so critical to that third episode of course. It really is a saga of a trilogy and there's a heap of content to analyse. It was also 3 years on from the last episode, but the detail of the 3 episodes and how they integrate together make sense for them to come as a set.
Rodney's nightmare sequence is supremely rewatchable as a sort of mini-episode in its own right. As it's the opening of the episode, you're not sure whether this is a flash forward or an alternate universe perhaps, but it turns out to just be a nightmare. The clip speaks for itself but the detail I only picked up on this time around is the identity of President Reeves - if you listen closely, Damian mentions his first name as "Keanu". The year is set as 2026 - with the way things are going in terms of celebrities involvement in politics and Keanu Reeves' personal fame right now, who knows if this prophesy will come true?!
Del is very much back to wheeling and dealing in the market. Escaping the Latvian alarm clocks to Sid's café we find Trigger and his medal. Not only is this scene hilarious in it's own right but it also serves as a precursor to Del receiving his medal as a "have-a-go hero".
Cassandra and Rodney are still trying (exceptionally hard) for a baby. It's also Rodney's birthday - or "Rooney" if you ask Del's chunky gold identity bracelet present. Rodney is clearly unhappy with the gift but is embarrassed to confront Del over it - a very relatable emotion that many of us will have had at times. Raquel is also invited to meet her parents with Damian for a reunion, but is nervous that Del will spoil their reunion, Del lets her off the hook - a sign of growth and maturity in his relationship in that he's willing to let her go alone and not interfere for once.
So the brothers will be on their own for the weekend - Rodney's visibly relieved to get out of baby-making duties for the week too - which goes to show how exhausted he is. After guilt-tripping Rodney, Del convinces him to attend the Publican's Ball - a fancy dress party.
Del - It’ll be like the old days Rodders!
Rodney - We ain't going to be pulling birds are we?
Del - We never pulled any birds in the old days! What chance have we got now?!
Of course Del wants to win the fancy dress competition, so they go all out on the costumes. What's so great about this is that it gives us 3 separate enormous laughter moments. The first is the reveal of their costumes as the van breaks down. Then as they decide to run to the party, they save Councillor Murray from being mugged. Finally there's the scene where they enter the room to discover that the host has since died, they didn't get the message and the party has been replaced with a funeral.
All three moments are noteworthy, but the middle one is so perfect in terms of its execution from an acting and production perspective - the smoke wasn't originally planned but John Sullivan was convinced by the crew it would add to the comedy - with the music on top it has become one of the most memorable moments in British comedy.
The final set piece of the episode is the chase scene where Rodney runs after one of the muggers they had scared off the night before. There's a wonderful moment in the middle where Rodney isn't sure what to do with the mugger once he has confronted him, and then starts running away from him with the mugger now in chase. There's a moment of realisation that Rodney is the more cowardly character, we know that Del wouldn't have messed about but Rodney just isn't cut from exactly the same cloth. In the end it is Del that saves the day - with his suitcase put to good use.
Del's medal leads us to the end of the episode and the treble celebration of his medal, Cassandra's pregnancy and then Del revealing that Councillor Murray grants him the home improvement grant that he had been refused earlier. I believe that the episodes that end with the Trotters winning are often more memorable, we want them to succeed ultimately.
One character we haven't mentioned yet is Uncle Albert. He plays a supporting role across all 3 of these episodes, delivering a couple of wonderful one liners in this episode. The pick of the bunch has to be "Raquel goes away for a few days and this place becomes a shambles. There’s nothing in the fridge, the veg is on the turn and that apple juice is horrible!" indicating that he has drunk Cassandra's pregnancy specimen. There's only a couple of times Del spits out his cigar but this is one of them. He's linked to another food mix-up in 'Time On Our Hands' as he messes up the gravy.
Tomorrow's episode: Modern Men
We're hurtling towards the end of the show's run but this trilogy of episodes are all equally placed high on the list in many people's favourite episodes and it's clear to see why. My personal favourite is 'Modern Men' - but there are plenty of people who will argue that this is the best of the 3 episodes and it is hard to argue on re-watching.
I usually have 1 main moment that I can find on YouTube or share in meme form. The fact that 'Heroes And Villains' has 3 clips available shows how well loved the moments in this episode are, and demonstrates the variety of them. On top of these are some classic moments such as the mugging chase and Del's medal, as well as scenes which are built upon in the following 2 episodes. Cassandra's pregnancy is announced, but is miscarried in 'Modern Men' and then there's Rodney coming to terms with it in 'Time On Our Hands'. Raquel also is back in touch with her parents, a plot line so critical to that third episode of course. It really is a saga of a trilogy and there's a heap of content to analyse. It was also 3 years on from the last episode, but the detail of the 3 episodes and how they integrate together make sense for them to come as a set.
Rodney's nightmare sequence is supremely rewatchable as a sort of mini-episode in its own right. As it's the opening of the episode, you're not sure whether this is a flash forward or an alternate universe perhaps, but it turns out to just be a nightmare. The clip speaks for itself but the detail I only picked up on this time around is the identity of President Reeves - if you listen closely, Damian mentions his first name as "Keanu". The year is set as 2026 - with the way things are going in terms of celebrities involvement in politics and Keanu Reeves' personal fame right now, who knows if this prophesy will come true?!
Del is very much back to wheeling and dealing in the market. Escaping the Latvian alarm clocks to Sid's café we find Trigger and his medal. Not only is this scene hilarious in it's own right but it also serves as a precursor to Del receiving his medal as a "have-a-go hero".
Cassandra and Rodney are still trying (exceptionally hard) for a baby. It's also Rodney's birthday - or "Rooney" if you ask Del's chunky gold identity bracelet present. Rodney is clearly unhappy with the gift but is embarrassed to confront Del over it - a very relatable emotion that many of us will have had at times. Raquel is also invited to meet her parents with Damian for a reunion, but is nervous that Del will spoil their reunion, Del lets her off the hook - a sign of growth and maturity in his relationship in that he's willing to let her go alone and not interfere for once.
So the brothers will be on their own for the weekend - Rodney's visibly relieved to get out of baby-making duties for the week too - which goes to show how exhausted he is. After guilt-tripping Rodney, Del convinces him to attend the Publican's Ball - a fancy dress party.
Del - It’ll be like the old days Rodders!
Rodney - We ain't going to be pulling birds are we?
Del - We never pulled any birds in the old days! What chance have we got now?!
Of course Del wants to win the fancy dress competition, so they go all out on the costumes. What's so great about this is that it gives us 3 separate enormous laughter moments. The first is the reveal of their costumes as the van breaks down. Then as they decide to run to the party, they save Councillor Murray from being mugged. Finally there's the scene where they enter the room to discover that the host has since died, they didn't get the message and the party has been replaced with a funeral.
All three moments are noteworthy, but the middle one is so perfect in terms of its execution from an acting and production perspective - the smoke wasn't originally planned but John Sullivan was convinced by the crew it would add to the comedy - with the music on top it has become one of the most memorable moments in British comedy.
The final set piece of the episode is the chase scene where Rodney runs after one of the muggers they had scared off the night before. There's a wonderful moment in the middle where Rodney isn't sure what to do with the mugger once he has confronted him, and then starts running away from him with the mugger now in chase. There's a moment of realisation that Rodney is the more cowardly character, we know that Del wouldn't have messed about but Rodney just isn't cut from exactly the same cloth. In the end it is Del that saves the day - with his suitcase put to good use.
Del's medal leads us to the end of the episode and the treble celebration of his medal, Cassandra's pregnancy and then Del revealing that Councillor Murray grants him the home improvement grant that he had been refused earlier. I believe that the episodes that end with the Trotters winning are often more memorable, we want them to succeed ultimately.
One character we haven't mentioned yet is Uncle Albert. He plays a supporting role across all 3 of these episodes, delivering a couple of wonderful one liners in this episode. The pick of the bunch has to be "Raquel goes away for a few days and this place becomes a shambles. There’s nothing in the fridge, the veg is on the turn and that apple juice is horrible!" indicating that he has drunk Cassandra's pregnancy specimen. There's only a couple of times Del spits out his cigar but this is one of them. He's linked to another food mix-up in 'Time On Our Hands' as he messes up the gravy.
Tomorrow's episode: Modern Men
Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Christmas Special 1993 - Fatal Extraction
Rodney - It’s a full scale inner-city riot going on downstairs! They’re all there Del: the SPG, snatch squads, looters, people who wanna get on telly... and unless I’m very much mistaken Kate Adie!
Rodney & Cassandra are now trying for a baby, and are trying to keep it a secret from Del, however this doesn't last long and he sticks his oar into their dealings - going behind Rodney's back to try and reassure Cassandra. The regime that the two of them are on is ambitious, and it's showing.
Mickey - He looks shagged out, don't he!
He has reverted back to staying out late at the casino, but hasn't told Raquel or Rodney that he's putting together a deal with Ronnie Nelson the owner. Del always gets sucked into these bizarre hooky deals and this one is right up there: Russian army camcorders. Along with the camcorders, Del's also trying to flog some ski gear - from Fiji of all places. Along with that, there have been riots recently and Rodney hints that "anything could set it off".
Del has his own problems to worry about however. He's staying out late at night and is also suffering from severe toothache. These two subject matters getting mixed up in conversation is clever writing and makes us think that the dialogue is often more extreme than it ought to be.
Rodney now meddles in Del's life by going to the casino to try talking sense into him and getting him home to Raquel and Damian earlier than he has been of late. This fails spectacularly, and Rodney also loses money.
Del - It's 8 o' clock in the morning!
This is the final straw and Raquel leaves Del. Things had been tough between them in 'Mother Nature's Son' and with life reverting back and Del continuing to act more and more extreme it pushes Raquel away. Del's reaction is disbelief and in denial of his own blame in the situation. He's so out of line that when he finally sorts one of his problems out (his tooth) he goes and makes another worse by arranging a date with a reluctant Beverly.
Del comes to his senses at the last minute, just like Rodney did with Tanya in 'Rodney Come Home'. The brothers have similar journeys in these 2 episodes, and both times they get caught out even though they don't go through with the date. He manages to patch things up with Raquel, and Del says to himself "that's it Del Boy, you are now a changed man. This is the first day of the rest of your life... Michael - a bottle of your finest champagne please!" A drunken Del then sparks a riot by serenading the precinct with a rendition of 'One Voice' by Barry Manilow.
Del seizes the opportunity to sell them some of the ski gear - something he's done before as mentioned in 'The Russians Are Coming' where he sold the rioters paving slabs. The riot gives us some fantastic dialogue moments.
Rodney - What do you mean come round? What do you want me to do - harmonise with him?!
Albert - Mrs Murphy said they've brought the horses out.
Rodney - Yeah... police have gone to get theirs now.
Del - I was celebrating, Rodney -\ Raquel and Damian are coming home!
Rodney - Oh, that's a good reason for a civil war, innit!
The next day Del has picked up Raquel and Damian but is then confronted by another riot. The riot storyline steals the show in this episode. It would be a lot weaker without it.
Finally, the episode ends at Christmas with them all together and enjoying themselves. It is ruined by Del's answerphone message being relayed back after Raquel had swapped Beverly the answerphone for Damian's high chair. Its not clear what Beverly's motives are as when she is confronted earlier by Del she says that she's not following him and their chance meetings had been a coincidence. Whether ot not she left the message on the machine deliberately or not is debatable.
Tomorrow's episode - Heroes And Villains
Rodney & Cassandra are now trying for a baby, and are trying to keep it a secret from Del, however this doesn't last long and he sticks his oar into their dealings - going behind Rodney's back to try and reassure Cassandra. The regime that the two of them are on is ambitious, and it's showing.
Mickey - He looks shagged out, don't he!
He has reverted back to staying out late at the casino, but hasn't told Raquel or Rodney that he's putting together a deal with Ronnie Nelson the owner. Del always gets sucked into these bizarre hooky deals and this one is right up there: Russian army camcorders. Along with the camcorders, Del's also trying to flog some ski gear - from Fiji of all places. Along with that, there have been riots recently and Rodney hints that "anything could set it off".
Del has his own problems to worry about however. He's staying out late at night and is also suffering from severe toothache. These two subject matters getting mixed up in conversation is clever writing and makes us think that the dialogue is often more extreme than it ought to be.
Rodney now meddles in Del's life by going to the casino to try talking sense into him and getting him home to Raquel and Damian earlier than he has been of late. This fails spectacularly, and Rodney also loses money.
Del - It's 8 o' clock in the morning!
This is the final straw and Raquel leaves Del. Things had been tough between them in 'Mother Nature's Son' and with life reverting back and Del continuing to act more and more extreme it pushes Raquel away. Del's reaction is disbelief and in denial of his own blame in the situation. He's so out of line that when he finally sorts one of his problems out (his tooth) he goes and makes another worse by arranging a date with a reluctant Beverly.
Del comes to his senses at the last minute, just like Rodney did with Tanya in 'Rodney Come Home'. The brothers have similar journeys in these 2 episodes, and both times they get caught out even though they don't go through with the date. He manages to patch things up with Raquel, and Del says to himself "that's it Del Boy, you are now a changed man. This is the first day of the rest of your life... Michael - a bottle of your finest champagne please!" A drunken Del then sparks a riot by serenading the precinct with a rendition of 'One Voice' by Barry Manilow.
Del seizes the opportunity to sell them some of the ski gear - something he's done before as mentioned in 'The Russians Are Coming' where he sold the rioters paving slabs. The riot gives us some fantastic dialogue moments.
Rodney - What do you mean come round? What do you want me to do - harmonise with him?!
Albert - Mrs Murphy said they've brought the horses out.
Rodney - Yeah... police have gone to get theirs now.
Del - I was celebrating, Rodney -\ Raquel and Damian are coming home!
Rodney - Oh, that's a good reason for a civil war, innit!
The next day Del has picked up Raquel and Damian but is then confronted by another riot. The riot storyline steals the show in this episode. It would be a lot weaker without it.
Finally, the episode ends at Christmas with them all together and enjoying themselves. It is ruined by Del's answerphone message being relayed back after Raquel had swapped Beverly the answerphone for Damian's high chair. Its not clear what Beverly's motives are as when she is confronted earlier by Del she says that she's not following him and their chance meetings had been a coincidence. Whether ot not she left the message on the machine deliberately or not is debatable.
Tomorrow's episode - Heroes And Villains
Tuesday, 2 June 2020
Christmas Special 1992: Mother Nature’s Son
Rodney - You are not dealing with a normal person, this is Derek Trotter! Don’t you understand he’s sucking the land dry! I’m expecting a visit from Lenny Henry and Bob Geldof any minute!
This episode is up there amongst my all-time favourites. It epitomises the ideals of Del as a businessman - find a gap in the market and exploit it for maximum profit. It's also one of his more successful ventures, although nothing is mentioned of it going forward so we're assume that the operation is eventually shut down, but was good while it lasted.
Rodney notices that Del has "lost that sort if zip" that he used to have, trying anything and everything to make a quick buck. He notes that "we haven't bought or sold a thing in months, and he's running around like Ken Dodd on ecstasy!" Del admits the truth to Rodney in that he is stressed that his appeal to buy the flat has finally come through - a throw back to 'Yuppy Love'. However it is more costly than he anticipated. He also confesses that he has been down at the casino every night "trying to win us some money". Del resorting purely to chance is not a great sign. He also lets slip that Grandad's old allotment comes with the flat.
Del - In the last 30 years more people have walked on the moon than that allotment!
Del has piled Damian's room full of hisjunk stock for its own protection as someone had recently broken into the garage where it had previously been kept. Raquel delivers some great lines in this episode, with these pearls of wisdom some of the best.
Raquel - Oh Del, hasn’t it dawned on you yet? All you have in that room is what the thieves left behind! How the hell do you expect to sell it when the burglars wouldn't take it for free?!
Del - But who's to say I won't sell all this tomorrow?!
Raquel - What are the chances of your bumping into a bald headed, anti-apartheid, deep-sea-diving Bros fan, who has a Betamax video recorder likes Romanian Riesling and whose name is Gary?!
On the allotment, we find it vastly overgrown and dumped with chemical hazards. There's a wonderful moment of Albert emerging from the bushes just as Del says "Gawd knows what lives in there!" He then enlists the help of a team of experts Denzil and Trigger to clear up the mess - including the chemical waste. These two characters are the most susceptible to Del's charm and manipulation, so it's only fitting that they are the ones to try and help Del out of this situation.
Rodney introduces Del to the world of health foods and the store operated by Miles an old friend from the evening college. Del's money making instincts strike again "like St Paul on his way to Tobascus" - and he conjures up a plan with the aid of Albert around a fictional spring in Peckham. Rodney is once again circumvented by Del as his plan comes to fruition.
The success of Peckham Spring takes everyone by surprise - Mike is selling the stuff in The Nag's Head and even the best hotels in the world are selling it... Miles has also doubled his order twice. Rodney has no choice but to confide in Cassandra as the success isn't without problems, but these are partly her fault too. This is one of Rodney's best moments - a monologue so full of passion it draws parallels to Del's rant in 'Tea For Three'
Rodney - There are geological aspects coming into play here Cass. You see we are taking thousands and thousands of gallons of water every week. The water board have workmen on the estate, they think they have a major underground leak. I mean, here we are in the middle of winter and the local papers are issuing drought warnings! So people are going out and panic-buying Peckham-bloody-Spring! So that means we have to take more water to service demands... and on top of that some prat has advised him to advertise on local radio!
Both Raquel and Cassandra have a strong episode as they are both tied to the fate of the central plot. Cassandra and Rodney are finally able to reconcile properly at the end of the episode too, which helps to put an end to the ongoing problems that their marriage has faced in its early years. Del again has a moment of reflection with Damian, similar to that in 'Three Men, A Woman And a Baby' which gives this episode a sentimental and meaningful touch on top of the triumph. Whilst this isn't the idea that ultimately leads them to being millionaires, it at least proves that they have it in them to make it to the life like that.
Tomorrow's episode: Fatal Extraction
This episode is up there amongst my all-time favourites. It epitomises the ideals of Del as a businessman - find a gap in the market and exploit it for maximum profit. It's also one of his more successful ventures, although nothing is mentioned of it going forward so we're assume that the operation is eventually shut down, but was good while it lasted.
Rodney notices that Del has "lost that sort if zip" that he used to have, trying anything and everything to make a quick buck. He notes that "we haven't bought or sold a thing in months, and he's running around like Ken Dodd on ecstasy!" Del admits the truth to Rodney in that he is stressed that his appeal to buy the flat has finally come through - a throw back to 'Yuppy Love'. However it is more costly than he anticipated. He also confesses that he has been down at the casino every night "trying to win us some money". Del resorting purely to chance is not a great sign. He also lets slip that Grandad's old allotment comes with the flat.
Del - In the last 30 years more people have walked on the moon than that allotment!
Del has piled Damian's room full of his
Raquel - Oh Del, hasn’t it dawned on you yet? All you have in that room is what the thieves left behind! How the hell do you expect to sell it when the burglars wouldn't take it for free?!
Del - But who's to say I won't sell all this tomorrow?!
Raquel - What are the chances of your bumping into a bald headed, anti-apartheid, deep-sea-diving Bros fan, who has a Betamax video recorder likes Romanian Riesling and whose name is Gary?!
Rodney introduces Del to the world of health foods and the store operated by Miles an old friend from the evening college. Del's money making instincts strike again "like St Paul on his way to Tobascus" - and he conjures up a plan with the aid of Albert around a fictional spring in Peckham. Rodney is once again circumvented by Del as his plan comes to fruition.
The success of Peckham Spring takes everyone by surprise - Mike is selling the stuff in The Nag's Head and even the best hotels in the world are selling it... Miles has also doubled his order twice. Rodney has no choice but to confide in Cassandra as the success isn't without problems, but these are partly her fault too. This is one of Rodney's best moments - a monologue so full of passion it draws parallels to Del's rant in 'Tea For Three'
Rodney - There are geological aspects coming into play here Cass. You see we are taking thousands and thousands of gallons of water every week. The water board have workmen on the estate, they think they have a major underground leak. I mean, here we are in the middle of winter and the local papers are issuing drought warnings! So people are going out and panic-buying Peckham-bloody-Spring! So that means we have to take more water to service demands... and on top of that some prat has advised him to advertise on local radio!
Both Raquel and Cassandra have a strong episode as they are both tied to the fate of the central plot. Cassandra and Rodney are finally able to reconcile properly at the end of the episode too, which helps to put an end to the ongoing problems that their marriage has faced in its early years. Del again has a moment of reflection with Damian, similar to that in 'Three Men, A Woman And a Baby' which gives this episode a sentimental and meaningful touch on top of the triumph. Whilst this isn't the idea that ultimately leads them to being millionaires, it at least proves that they have it in them to make it to the life like that.
Tomorrow's episode: Fatal Extraction
Monday, 1 June 2020
Christmas Special 1991 - Miami Twice (Part 2): Oh To Be In England
Raquel - Public enemy number one?! But he only left on Tuesday!
The Trotters land in Miami and straight away it's usual service as Del has booked an old campervan for their transport and accommodation - it's essentially an American version of the Reliant, a home away from home. After figuring out the hard way which side of the road to drive on, they take a boat trip which features a cameo of Barry Gibb - a sign of how popular the show has become that they can get that kind of thing arranged.
Del - None of that 'Costa Del Sewage' - we're in the big time now!
The introduction of Don Occhetti is a piece of brilliant direction - as we slowly pan up to reveal David Jason, but not as we normally recognise him. David Jason has mentioned that this was his favourite episode as it challenged him to play a different character who has a different accent.
Everything about this scene is different from what we are used to. Stylistically and tonally it plays heavily on themes from 'The Godfather', from the music, the guys lounging around in suits with guns, and the large ostentatious villa. We are introduced to his son, Rico (the Sonny Corleone of the family) and Salvatore the lawyer who is failing to get rid of the charges the FBI have against the Don. David Jason still gets to deliver some brilliant comedic lines as the Don, with the 2 scenes featuring him and Salvatore being my favourites.
Salvatore - We're having problems proving your innocence.
Don - Why?
Salvatore - Because you're guilty!
Del is recognised as the Don in the nightclub, and the owner points out to Rico that he would've booked them a private room if he'd known he would be attending. Rico hatches the plan and makes sure that the brothers end up liking him and staying with him, by stealing their luggage out of their van. Suspicions are aroused early on given the heavies at the gate.
Del - What sort of business are you in, Rico?
Rico - Insurance... and imports.
Del - Oh, imports and exports?
Rico - No... just imports.
As the plan to the Don is explained, we get David Jason giving an excellent performance and another few killer lines aimed at Salvatore and Rico.
They try to kill off Del twice. Once with a hitman at the restaurant "if he knew how to use a knife and fork, he'd be a goner" and then by sending him off into the ocean on a broken jet-ski. The brothers suspicions that something's not right are continuously heightened everyone's attitude towards Del, even the police are convinced that Del is the Don. The restaurant scene in the bathroom is a great little moment of writing too.
Lurch - How can you joke in a time like this?! His father's just been shot!
Del survives both ordeals narrowly. I particularly like how all the Americans think that the Trotters' cockney accents are from Australia - a joke running even to the end of the episode. Del's catchphrases rub off on Rico too that he even catches himself uttering "lovely jubbly".
The climax of their time at the villa is the moment when Del ends up hosting the Colombians (Rico couldn't tell the difference either) just at the moment he discovered about the existence of the Don. The shot of him seeing the portrait like that is memorable - it must have been odd for Del to see what looks like him up there as he'd imagined himself when he will become a millionaire, only for it to be the biggest mafia boss in the USA. Del has a family portrait on the wall in 'Time On Our Hands' and in the dystopian dream during 'Heroes And Villains'.
The Colombians are also convinced, and Del performs his signature bluff through languages with them - this time exclaiming "Bonetti!" Even Rodney can't tell the difference between the two, but then he doesn't know that he exists like many others. We get him threatening Don once he has discovered the truth about him setting up the trip so that Cassandra couldn't attend.
Rodney - I have just ruffed up a mafia boss! I called him a git! I have just called a mafia boss... a git!
The brothers make a run for it, off into the Everglades with Rico and the gang in tow. By chance, they bump into Boycie and Marlene who manage to rescue them against all odds. This moment is reminiscent of Denzil seeing Del in Hull - it's like he haunts his friends.
Del - I'm telling you Rodney, this is Marlon Brando time!
After all of the action, drama and near-death experiences, the brothers arrive home having aided in the capture of the Colombian drug baron and then ensuring that Don Occhetti is sentenced in court. Their arrival back at the flat with it filled to the brim with Romanian Riesling is a reminder that they can't run away from their problems, but all things considered these are far more manageable than the problems that they had in Miami.
Tomorrow's episode - Mother Nature's Son
The Trotters land in Miami and straight away it's usual service as Del has booked an old campervan for their transport and accommodation - it's essentially an American version of the Reliant, a home away from home. After figuring out the hard way which side of the road to drive on, they take a boat trip which features a cameo of Barry Gibb - a sign of how popular the show has become that they can get that kind of thing arranged.
Del - None of that 'Costa Del Sewage' - we're in the big time now!
The introduction of Don Occhetti is a piece of brilliant direction - as we slowly pan up to reveal David Jason, but not as we normally recognise him. David Jason has mentioned that this was his favourite episode as it challenged him to play a different character who has a different accent.
Everything about this scene is different from what we are used to. Stylistically and tonally it plays heavily on themes from 'The Godfather', from the music, the guys lounging around in suits with guns, and the large ostentatious villa. We are introduced to his son, Rico (the Sonny Corleone of the family) and Salvatore the lawyer who is failing to get rid of the charges the FBI have against the Don. David Jason still gets to deliver some brilliant comedic lines as the Don, with the 2 scenes featuring him and Salvatore being my favourites.
Salvatore - We're having problems proving your innocence.
Don - Why?
Salvatore - Because you're guilty!
Del is recognised as the Don in the nightclub, and the owner points out to Rico that he would've booked them a private room if he'd known he would be attending. Rico hatches the plan and makes sure that the brothers end up liking him and staying with him, by stealing their luggage out of their van. Suspicions are aroused early on given the heavies at the gate.
Del - What sort of business are you in, Rico?
Rico - Insurance... and imports.
Del - Oh, imports and exports?
Rico - No... just imports.
As the plan to the Don is explained, we get David Jason giving an excellent performance and another few killer lines aimed at Salvatore and Rico.
They try to kill off Del twice. Once with a hitman at the restaurant "if he knew how to use a knife and fork, he'd be a goner" and then by sending him off into the ocean on a broken jet-ski. The brothers suspicions that something's not right are continuously heightened everyone's attitude towards Del, even the police are convinced that Del is the Don. The restaurant scene in the bathroom is a great little moment of writing too.
Lurch - How can you joke in a time like this?! His father's just been shot!
Del survives both ordeals narrowly. I particularly like how all the Americans think that the Trotters' cockney accents are from Australia - a joke running even to the end of the episode. Del's catchphrases rub off on Rico too that he even catches himself uttering "lovely jubbly".
The climax of their time at the villa is the moment when Del ends up hosting the Colombians (Rico couldn't tell the difference either) just at the moment he discovered about the existence of the Don. The shot of him seeing the portrait like that is memorable - it must have been odd for Del to see what looks like him up there as he'd imagined himself when he will become a millionaire, only for it to be the biggest mafia boss in the USA. Del has a family portrait on the wall in 'Time On Our Hands' and in the dystopian dream during 'Heroes And Villains'.
The Colombians are also convinced, and Del performs his signature bluff through languages with them - this time exclaiming "Bonetti!" Even Rodney can't tell the difference between the two, but then he doesn't know that he exists like many others. We get him threatening Don once he has discovered the truth about him setting up the trip so that Cassandra couldn't attend.
Rodney - I have just ruffed up a mafia boss! I called him a git! I have just called a mafia boss... a git!
The brothers make a run for it, off into the Everglades with Rico and the gang in tow. By chance, they bump into Boycie and Marlene who manage to rescue them against all odds. This moment is reminiscent of Denzil seeing Del in Hull - it's like he haunts his friends.
Del - I'm telling you Rodney, this is Marlon Brando time!
After all of the action, drama and near-death experiences, the brothers arrive home having aided in the capture of the Colombian drug baron and then ensuring that Don Occhetti is sentenced in court. Their arrival back at the flat with it filled to the brim with Romanian Riesling is a reminder that they can't run away from their problems, but all things considered these are far more manageable than the problems that they had in Miami.
Tomorrow's episode - Mother Nature's Son
Sunday, 31 May 2020
Christmas Special 1991 - Miami Twice (Part 1): The American Dream
Mike - I tell you. they're on the verge of a drug war over there.
If we were to consider this episode as one long one (as it appears on the DVD) then it would be by far the longest in the show's history. However I'll be looking at it as the 2 parts that were originally broadcast over consecutive days. This episode occurs entirely in England, and sets up the circumstances for Del to join Rodney on holiday in Miami in the next episode. Looking back in hindsight, there are a couple of clues which lead us to thinking that the trip may not be as "sensible" or "sophisticated" or "debonair" as Rodney hoped, but nothing that prepares us for the level of problem they will land themselves in.
On the face of it, part 1 is quite a normal Only Fools episode. We cover Damian's christening (very much picking up from the birth with Rodney still believing him to be the living embodiment of the antichrist), Del attempting another profit-making opportunity through the church, Rodney and Cassandra's relationship, and Del interfering so that he blags a free holiday using Rodney's pension money. Each of these aren't without problems and laughs along the way.
The Christening appears to go off without a hitch, except for Rodney forgetting his lines. It's only the third time we have met Pam, Cassandra's mum, and there's now an ongoing joke that she disapproves of Alan's drinking with Del. There's a funny misunderstanding from Trigger (as always) which also happens to be a premonition as it turns out that she will actually become the drunk one.
Alan - We have to show our respects to Del & Raquel and wet the baby's head.
Pam - Roughly translated that means "I can't wait to get down The Nag's Head and get legless with Del....!
Trigger - Steady on, Pam. We have to christen the baby first!
Del also has got a supply of something, and is looking for a profit-solution as always. This time it's wine and he figures that the church could do with a bulk-buying and time saving solution: "Trotter's Pre-Blessed Wine". Of course, there's always issues when it comes to Del - this one doesn't materialise until Part 2. It's a simple idea with Del only seeing the dollar signs, but he is a trier as we have been told in the past.
Rodney is only seeing Cassandra at weekends at the moment, sleeping in the same room as Damian in the week. Alan giving him the pension cheque gives us a moment of Rodney taking a mature decision in front of Alan, earning him a bit more respect again. However when he sees how much the cheque is he u-turns and takes the money.
Alan - But what about the future?
Rodney - What future?! I work for Del!
Del quite clearly engineers the situation so that he gets control of Rodney's money and hatches a plan to ensure that he would be eligible to go with Rodney to Miami and that Cassandra wouldn't. All he then needs to do is instigate the plan and convince both Raquel and Rodney to allow him to go. Raquel overhears the plan on the baby monitor, ultimately giving in after making Del work for it. Rodney on the other hand initially rejects the plan outright.
Del - I'm coming to Miami with ya!
Rodney - No you bloody well ain't!
Convincing Rodney that he can behave and take things differently than their previous holidays (Benidorm comes to memory in 'It Never Rains') Del gets Rodney to "say the magic words" and they're off, leopard print trunks and all - blissfully unaware of the dangers that await them.
Tomorrow's episode: Miami Twice (Part 2): Oh To Be In England
If we were to consider this episode as one long one (as it appears on the DVD) then it would be by far the longest in the show's history. However I'll be looking at it as the 2 parts that were originally broadcast over consecutive days. This episode occurs entirely in England, and sets up the circumstances for Del to join Rodney on holiday in Miami in the next episode. Looking back in hindsight, there are a couple of clues which lead us to thinking that the trip may not be as "sensible" or "sophisticated" or "debonair" as Rodney hoped, but nothing that prepares us for the level of problem they will land themselves in.
On the face of it, part 1 is quite a normal Only Fools episode. We cover Damian's christening (very much picking up from the birth with Rodney still believing him to be the living embodiment of the antichrist), Del attempting another profit-making opportunity through the church, Rodney and Cassandra's relationship, and Del interfering so that he blags a free holiday using Rodney's pension money. Each of these aren't without problems and laughs along the way.
The Christening appears to go off without a hitch, except for Rodney forgetting his lines. It's only the third time we have met Pam, Cassandra's mum, and there's now an ongoing joke that she disapproves of Alan's drinking with Del. There's a funny misunderstanding from Trigger (as always) which also happens to be a premonition as it turns out that she will actually become the drunk one.
Alan - We have to show our respects to Del & Raquel and wet the baby's head.
Pam - Roughly translated that means "I can't wait to get down The Nag's Head and get legless with Del....!
Trigger - Steady on, Pam. We have to christen the baby first!
Del also has got a supply of something, and is looking for a profit-solution as always. This time it's wine and he figures that the church could do with a bulk-buying and time saving solution: "Trotter's Pre-Blessed Wine". Of course, there's always issues when it comes to Del - this one doesn't materialise until Part 2. It's a simple idea with Del only seeing the dollar signs, but he is a trier as we have been told in the past.
Rodney is only seeing Cassandra at weekends at the moment, sleeping in the same room as Damian in the week. Alan giving him the pension cheque gives us a moment of Rodney taking a mature decision in front of Alan, earning him a bit more respect again. However when he sees how much the cheque is he u-turns and takes the money.
Alan - But what about the future?
Rodney - What future?! I work for Del!
Del quite clearly engineers the situation so that he gets control of Rodney's money and hatches a plan to ensure that he would be eligible to go with Rodney to Miami and that Cassandra wouldn't. All he then needs to do is instigate the plan and convince both Raquel and Rodney to allow him to go. Raquel overhears the plan on the baby monitor, ultimately giving in after making Del work for it. Rodney on the other hand initially rejects the plan outright.
Del - I'm coming to Miami with ya!
Rodney - No you bloody well ain't!
Convincing Rodney that he can behave and take things differently than their previous holidays (Benidorm comes to memory in 'It Never Rains') Del gets Rodney to "say the magic words" and they're off, leopard print trunks and all - blissfully unaware of the dangers that await them.
Tomorrow's episode: Miami Twice (Part 2): Oh To Be In England
Saturday, 30 May 2020
S7 E6 - Three Men. A Woman And A Baby
Rodney - I've got so many things worrying me. You know, I mean, the polar cap is melting, the continental shelves is shifting, the rainforest is dying, the sea is being poisoned...! And I ain’t had a bit for months!
As the final episode of the final full series, we end on yet another heartfelt moment - the birth of Damian, son of Del & Raquel.
At the beginning of the episode we have Del announcing his latest money-maker - "Wigs!" Only Rodney soon points out that these are men's wigs and not women's - cheering Rodney up from his disastrous day with Cassandra. The wigs help deliver 2 big laughs in the story- 1 later in the delivery room, teed up as Del sold one to a woman married to a hospital worker. The first wig joke comes from Rodney's sporting of a little ponytail as he goes round to see Cassandra. Del bumped into Steven in the market and talks about his ponytail, hearing that they're all the fashion in the city - renewing Del's faith in the wigs.
Hearing this spurs Rodney on into giving the wig a go. This shows that he remains committed to trying to give Cassandra what he perceives she wants. When she then speaks of Stevens and dismisses his ponytail as for "lame brains" Rodney panics and tries to get rid of it. This action ultimately brings the two together as Cassandra mistakes it for a mouse, and Rodney 'heroically' saves her. The two of them then get a call from Del when they are in bed announcing Raquel is in labour.
Raquel is given time to shine in the final act. She continues to put Del in his place as he acts out - "will you let go of my leg, Derek!" Rodney is convinced that their child is the coming of the antichrist, and jokingly throws out the name 'Damian', which they go on to adopt.
Del - Yes. Damien Derek Trotter.
Albert - You can't call him that! His initials will be DDT!
Rodney's obsession gives us some funny moments of them linking into The Omen music and him expecting 666 to be on his forehead. He's at least convinced it's a boy. It's the first question he has for Del after the birth.
We also have the pay off of the wig joke when Del mistakes it for Damian's head of hair. The whole hospital scene is some of the best writing of the series. Del is very emotional at the end of the episode, promising the boy anything he wants and to be able to live his dreams for him. Damian is shown off to Del's mum in spirit as we get her first grandchild born.
Tomorrow's episode: Miami Twice: The American Dream
As the final episode of the final full series, we end on yet another heartfelt moment - the birth of Damian, son of Del & Raquel.
At the beginning of the episode we have Del announcing his latest money-maker - "Wigs!" Only Rodney soon points out that these are men's wigs and not women's - cheering Rodney up from his disastrous day with Cassandra. The wigs help deliver 2 big laughs in the story- 1 later in the delivery room, teed up as Del sold one to a woman married to a hospital worker. The first wig joke comes from Rodney's sporting of a little ponytail as he goes round to see Cassandra. Del bumped into Steven in the market and talks about his ponytail, hearing that they're all the fashion in the city - renewing Del's faith in the wigs.
Hearing this spurs Rodney on into giving the wig a go. This shows that he remains committed to trying to give Cassandra what he perceives she wants. When she then speaks of Stevens and dismisses his ponytail as for "lame brains" Rodney panics and tries to get rid of it. This action ultimately brings the two together as Cassandra mistakes it for a mouse, and Rodney 'heroically' saves her. The two of them then get a call from Del when they are in bed announcing Raquel is in labour.
Raquel is given time to shine in the final act. She continues to put Del in his place as he acts out - "will you let go of my leg, Derek!" Rodney is convinced that their child is the coming of the antichrist, and jokingly throws out the name 'Damian', which they go on to adopt.
Del - Yes. Damien Derek Trotter.
Albert - You can't call him that! His initials will be DDT!
Rodney's obsession gives us some funny moments of them linking into The Omen music and him expecting 666 to be on his forehead. He's at least convinced it's a boy. It's the first question he has for Del after the birth.
We also have the pay off of the wig joke when Del mistakes it for Damian's head of hair. The whole hospital scene is some of the best writing of the series. Del is very emotional at the end of the episode, promising the boy anything he wants and to be able to live his dreams for him. Damian is shown off to Del's mum in spirit as we get her first grandchild born.
Tomorrow's episode: Miami Twice: The American Dream
Friday, 29 May 2020
S7 E5 - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle
Rodney - I'll take the van, you take the prat-mobile!
Uncle Albert is often never the focus of the attention, but someone who either adds a different perspective, a quick cheap line, or an anecdote about his time at sea which seems relevant to the situation that Del and/or Rodney are in.
We get a closer look at him, what makes his character tick, and what he'll do when backed into a situation which doesn't go his way. He's joined the over-60s club and has a new lease of life, looking to find some female company - notably in the form of Marlene's mum, Dora. His main competition is Knock Knock - who he is facing in the final of the dominoes competition. There's a great little moment with Albert and Marlene when Albert orders a large navy rum "puts lead in your pencil!" which is followed up with Boycie being offered a drink a minute or so later and Marlene saying "give him a large navy rum!"
We're told that there have been a spate of muggings on the estate, and a suspicious group of skin-heads have recently become regulars at The Nag's Head. A couple of them had noticed Albert whip his cash about as he tries to impress Dora. Later that evening Rodney comes rushing back to flat claiming that Albert has been mugged and taken to hospital.
Albert is physically battered and bruised and mentally distressed from the ordeal, not wanting to go outside and frightened of the front door ringing (not to the sound of a national anthem, sadly). One of the visitors is Cassandra, with her and Rodney sharing a conversation for the first time since 'The Chance Of A Lunchtime'. Rodney has agreed to work with Del again, and this is a great scene as we see Del's influence over Rodney already coming through: from the "starter kit" outfit, and the phrases "lovely jubbly" and his new one "no way, Pedro!"
Albert has another one of his top 3 moments in the show's history here. His recalling of his story confronting the lion in Africa ending with his big "RAHHHH!" and wetting himself is one that gives us 2 big laughs.
It also leads us on to a wonderful scene of Rodney sitting down into that seat. Some of the best jokes are when we know one or some of the cast know something that we the audience do, and one or more of the characters don't. Rodney moving uncomfortably in the chair keeps adding laughs.
Rodney convinces Del that Albert needs to start getting over his ideal and regaining some composure, Del goes in at him "a bit hard" according to Rodney - well "harder than I expected, that's all!" Albert takes this as his marching orders and that they don't want him around any more and leaves. The montage search scene features a bespoke song 'We're So Sorry, Uncle Albert', written and performed by Paul McCartney. The music budget continues to grow it seems.
The brothers find Albert at the street he grew up in: Tobacco Road, which has been transformed into luxury flats around a marina. We get some heartfelt nostalgia from Albert, which Del doesn't appreciate - seeing the new flats of a symbol of what he wants to achieve when he makes it.
In the final scene, Albert's ,mugging story is revealed to be a lie, there's a also a well setup joke of "Who's there?" "Knock Knock". They were quarrelling over Dora when "Knock Knock knocked him out!" It's not the first time that Albert has been liberal with the truth, but there's a pride and a shrewdness in this episode which is reminiscent of Grandad in episodes such as 'Homesick' and 'A Slow Bus to Chingford'. Albert isn't the best at lying however, the number of muggers he claims that there was increases from 4 to 5 and then 6 within the space of a couple of days.
Del - 6?! There's 6 of them now - any more takers?!
Albert isn't a major plot driver I think from now until his death in 'Strangers On The Shore', and him eventually being the one to bail them out from the grave in 'Sleepless in Peckham' - his appreciation for everything that Del and Rodney have done for him is reinforced in this episode.
Tomorrow's episode: Three Men, A Woman And A Baby
Uncle Albert is often never the focus of the attention, but someone who either adds a different perspective, a quick cheap line, or an anecdote about his time at sea which seems relevant to the situation that Del and/or Rodney are in.
We get a closer look at him, what makes his character tick, and what he'll do when backed into a situation which doesn't go his way. He's joined the over-60s club and has a new lease of life, looking to find some female company - notably in the form of Marlene's mum, Dora. His main competition is Knock Knock - who he is facing in the final of the dominoes competition. There's a great little moment with Albert and Marlene when Albert orders a large navy rum "puts lead in your pencil!" which is followed up with Boycie being offered a drink a minute or so later and Marlene saying "give him a large navy rum!"
We're told that there have been a spate of muggings on the estate, and a suspicious group of skin-heads have recently become regulars at The Nag's Head. A couple of them had noticed Albert whip his cash about as he tries to impress Dora. Later that evening Rodney comes rushing back to flat claiming that Albert has been mugged and taken to hospital.
Albert is physically battered and bruised and mentally distressed from the ordeal, not wanting to go outside and frightened of the front door ringing (not to the sound of a national anthem, sadly). One of the visitors is Cassandra, with her and Rodney sharing a conversation for the first time since 'The Chance Of A Lunchtime'. Rodney has agreed to work with Del again, and this is a great scene as we see Del's influence over Rodney already coming through: from the "starter kit" outfit, and the phrases "lovely jubbly" and his new one "no way, Pedro!"
Albert has another one of his top 3 moments in the show's history here. His recalling of his story confronting the lion in Africa ending with his big "RAHHHH!" and wetting himself is one that gives us 2 big laughs.
It also leads us on to a wonderful scene of Rodney sitting down into that seat. Some of the best jokes are when we know one or some of the cast know something that we the audience do, and one or more of the characters don't. Rodney moving uncomfortably in the chair keeps adding laughs.
Rodney convinces Del that Albert needs to start getting over his ideal and regaining some composure, Del goes in at him "a bit hard" according to Rodney - well "harder than I expected, that's all!" Albert takes this as his marching orders and that they don't want him around any more and leaves. The montage search scene features a bespoke song 'We're So Sorry, Uncle Albert', written and performed by Paul McCartney. The music budget continues to grow it seems.
The brothers find Albert at the street he grew up in: Tobacco Road, which has been transformed into luxury flats around a marina. We get some heartfelt nostalgia from Albert, which Del doesn't appreciate - seeing the new flats of a symbol of what he wants to achieve when he makes it.
In the final scene, Albert's ,mugging story is revealed to be a lie, there's a also a well setup joke of "Who's there?" "Knock Knock". They were quarrelling over Dora when "Knock Knock knocked him out!" It's not the first time that Albert has been liberal with the truth, but there's a pride and a shrewdness in this episode which is reminiscent of Grandad in episodes such as 'Homesick' and 'A Slow Bus to Chingford'. Albert isn't the best at lying however, the number of muggers he claims that there was increases from 4 to 5 and then 6 within the space of a couple of days.
Del - 6?! There's 6 of them now - any more takers?!
Albert isn't a major plot driver I think from now until his death in 'Strangers On The Shore', and him eventually being the one to bail them out from the grave in 'Sleepless in Peckham' - his appreciation for everything that Del and Rodney have done for him is reinforced in this episode.
Tomorrow's episode: Three Men, A Woman And A Baby
Thursday, 28 May 2020
S7 E4- The Class of '62
Rodney - On a cold rainy night in Peckham. Somebody has arranged for you 4 to be in this room at the same time. Nobody knows who, and most important and frightening aspect of the entire mystery, nobody knows why. Now think hard, who would do something like that?
Trigger - … Jeremy Beadle?!
Slater may well be my favourite recurring guest character in the show. He always brings the best out in Del as we saw in 'May The Force Be With You' and 'To Hull And Back'. There's an air of destiny in that Raquel was once Slater's wife and is now living with and having a baby with Del. This is the last we see of Roy Slater, and he is finally thwarted by Del once more, just as you think he's got him all ends up again.
We begin with Del being invited to a school reunion out of the blue and last minute, sent via his fax machine. The scene between Del, Rodney, Boycie, Trigger and Denzil with them guessing who arranged the reunion is brilliantly written and performed. When Jeremy Beadle is ruled out, prime suspect is their old Headmaster (who was seemingly looked up, so is one to fear)
Denzil - It's Bend-Over-Benson!
Del - Well if it is then he's grown another ear!
Slater repents for all of the times he stitched up the guys with false crimes. None of which we have seen, so could be ideas that John Sullivan had once had as plot lines. Rodney - I remember the time you followed me in the van, and you nicked me for doing 70mph in a built-up area. It was just my word against his, and guess who the magistrate believed?! I mean, you couldn’t get that van to do 70mph if you pushed it off a cliff! Afterwards, Slater tries to convince them that he's a changed man, but the group have a hard time believing it after all that he has done in his life. Del comes out with one of his all time best punchlines.
Slater - When I was in jail, I found Jesus!
Del - Yeah? What had they fitted him up with?! Some of the best lines are delivered by Trigger however. Pretty much in every episode throughout series 6 and 7 we have a 'Trigger moment' where they tee up that someone would have to be stupid to do or say something, and then Trigger does it. I also loved his perfectly timed "Dave" at Rodney's wedding in 'Little Problems'. He gets a couple of absolute classics in this episode which are worthy to note due to how cleverly they are written. Trigger - I’ve been standing in your dance hall for the last hour.
Mike - All the lights are off Trig.
Boycie - You’ve been standing in the dark for an hour?!
Trigger - Yeah... I thought we were all gonna jump out and surprise each other! We then have the wonderful Jeremy Beadle line noted at the top of this post. When they retire back to they reminisce about the old school football team and they couldn't remember the Italian boy's name. As Trigger is about to leave, Del tees up this jewel of a line. Del - We had Denzil in goal, we had Monkey Harris at left back. We had camaraderie!
Trigger - Was that the Italian boy?! As the revelation that Slater was married to Raquel comes to light, emotions are running high and Del is nearly "set" on Slater as he provokes him. Only Albert can't get there quick enough and asks "who's Rachel?!" at all the wrong moments (but the right moments in terms of comic timing).
Del and Rodney overcome Slater's hold on Del by figuring out his plan to sell the 10 diamonds that he had hidden away and not to allow Raquel any legal claim to them. This is a lesson in perception and bluffing as the photocopier doesn't actually work, so the threat to Slater is ultimately hollow but solid enough looking that he leaves town for good. Del has finally beaten his nemesis for good.
Tomorrow's episode: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle
Trigger - … Jeremy Beadle?!
Slater may well be my favourite recurring guest character in the show. He always brings the best out in Del as we saw in 'May The Force Be With You' and 'To Hull And Back'. There's an air of destiny in that Raquel was once Slater's wife and is now living with and having a baby with Del. This is the last we see of Roy Slater, and he is finally thwarted by Del once more, just as you think he's got him all ends up again.
We begin with Del being invited to a school reunion out of the blue and last minute, sent via his fax machine. The scene between Del, Rodney, Boycie, Trigger and Denzil with them guessing who arranged the reunion is brilliantly written and performed. When Jeremy Beadle is ruled out, prime suspect is their old Headmaster (who was seemingly looked up, so is one to fear)
Denzil - It's Bend-Over-Benson!
Del - Well if it is then he's grown another ear!
Slater repents for all of the times he stitched up the guys with false crimes. None of which we have seen, so could be ideas that John Sullivan had once had as plot lines. Rodney - I remember the time you followed me in the van, and you nicked me for doing 70mph in a built-up area. It was just my word against his, and guess who the magistrate believed?! I mean, you couldn’t get that van to do 70mph if you pushed it off a cliff! Afterwards, Slater tries to convince them that he's a changed man, but the group have a hard time believing it after all that he has done in his life. Del comes out with one of his all time best punchlines.
Slater - When I was in jail, I found Jesus!
Del - Yeah? What had they fitted him up with?! Some of the best lines are delivered by Trigger however. Pretty much in every episode throughout series 6 and 7 we have a 'Trigger moment' where they tee up that someone would have to be stupid to do or say something, and then Trigger does it. I also loved his perfectly timed "Dave" at Rodney's wedding in 'Little Problems'. He gets a couple of absolute classics in this episode which are worthy to note due to how cleverly they are written. Trigger - I’ve been standing in your dance hall for the last hour.
Mike - All the lights are off Trig.
Boycie - You’ve been standing in the dark for an hour?!
Trigger - Yeah... I thought we were all gonna jump out and surprise each other! We then have the wonderful Jeremy Beadle line noted at the top of this post. When they retire back to they reminisce about the old school football team and they couldn't remember the Italian boy's name. As Trigger is about to leave, Del tees up this jewel of a line. Del - We had Denzil in goal, we had Monkey Harris at left back. We had camaraderie!
Trigger - Was that the Italian boy?! As the revelation that Slater was married to Raquel comes to light, emotions are running high and Del is nearly "set" on Slater as he provokes him. Only Albert can't get there quick enough and asks "who's Rachel?!" at all the wrong moments (but the right moments in terms of comic timing).
Del and Rodney overcome Slater's hold on Del by figuring out his plan to sell the 10 diamonds that he had hidden away and not to allow Raquel any legal claim to them. This is a lesson in perception and bluffing as the photocopier doesn't actually work, so the threat to Slater is ultimately hollow but solid enough looking that he leaves town for good. Del has finally beaten his nemesis for good.
Tomorrow's episode: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
S7 E3 - Stage Fright
Tony - You’ve got sexism, wacism, sizeism and ageism. Well, I am a victim of 'pwonunciation-ism'!
Following on from the last episode of Raquel successfully auditioning for a theatre production, we see her talents on show as a singer, all in the name of making money (and not getting Del nailed to a door).
Rodney's story isn't progressed much further, he accepts a part time role as a Road Manager for Del on this enterprise. His duties are quite clear: "sweep up and make the tea". He's still living in the flat but needs to find another place to live as Raquel is now 3 months pregnant. His offer of an LDA (Low Demand Accommodation, not Luxury Detached Abode) is not what he had in mind.
Del conducts the least romantic proposal to Raquel but as Del's luck continues to build and they seem content she accepts.
Raquel - Maybe tomorrow we could go out and get an engagement ring?
Del - No I can’t tomorrow sweetheart - I’m in court!
The main plot of the episode revolves around Del securing (/ being lured into) the contract of providing the cabaret at the Starlight Rooms, a premier nightclub in Peckham. Eric the manager, an old friend convinces him for £600 a night to set up Raquel to sing (Del using his normal trick he used on Rodney "I gave him your word!" which again is met by more push back from Raquel than Rodney ever gave.) After saying she'd consider it if there was a singing partner, he procures the support of Tony Angelino - the singing dustman from Trigger's depot. Del also hadn't realised that The Starlight Rooms had recently been bought by local tough man Euguene McCarthy, and the cabaret was in honour of his mother's 82nd birthday. Del always sees the best in people though and immediately gets carried away at the potential of Raquel & Tony.
Del - They could be the new Carpenters!
Rodney - Or plumbers, or brickies...
Del - Sonny & Cher.
Rodney - Chas & Dave!
Del - Renee and Ronato.
Rodney - Mills and Boon!
We are teased before the performance that "Tony has a problem". Raquel's initial performance gives Del false hope that the evening can be a success as then Tony enters the stage, and not only does his performance not match Raquel's glamour and meekness but it's revealed he can't pronounce the letter "R". Their performance of 'Crying' (or "Cawhying") is so memorable and funny as a punchline, the rest of the episode rests heavily on this joke.
Del bails out of the club early before he suspects Eugene will nail him to the door (something he is famous for). Raquel and Rodney return home to again paint a picture of what we missed off camera.
Raquel - Oh yes we saw it through to the death. We had: Please Welease me, Congwatulations, and The Gween Gween Gwass Of Home!
Rodney - And that was followed by a melody of wok and woll!
Del - That’s not funny Wodney - Rodney!
When Tony arrives he states that he doesn't sing songs with "Rs" in them, or changes the lyrics if they do. But he certainly would've struggled with the night's set list.
Tony - How can I change the lyrics to 'Crying'?! Bloody song’s called 'Crying'!
As it happens Del's luck continues as Eugene's Mum liked the act as it was the funniest thing she'd seen in years. We never see if the 5 month contract is taken up and carried out, but it would help Del's cashflow no end - Raquel being pregnant and embarrassed would be tough to convince however.
Tomorrow's episode: The Class of '62
Following on from the last episode of Raquel successfully auditioning for a theatre production, we see her talents on show as a singer, all in the name of making money (and not getting Del nailed to a door).
Rodney's story isn't progressed much further, he accepts a part time role as a Road Manager for Del on this enterprise. His duties are quite clear: "sweep up and make the tea". He's still living in the flat but needs to find another place to live as Raquel is now 3 months pregnant. His offer of an LDA (Low Demand Accommodation, not Luxury Detached Abode) is not what he had in mind.
Del conducts the least romantic proposal to Raquel but as Del's luck continues to build and they seem content she accepts.
Raquel - Maybe tomorrow we could go out and get an engagement ring?
Del - No I can’t tomorrow sweetheart - I’m in court!
The main plot of the episode revolves around Del securing (/ being lured into) the contract of providing the cabaret at the Starlight Rooms, a premier nightclub in Peckham. Eric the manager, an old friend convinces him for £600 a night to set up Raquel to sing (Del using his normal trick he used on Rodney "I gave him your word!" which again is met by more push back from Raquel than Rodney ever gave.) After saying she'd consider it if there was a singing partner, he procures the support of Tony Angelino - the singing dustman from Trigger's depot. Del also hadn't realised that The Starlight Rooms had recently been bought by local tough man Euguene McCarthy, and the cabaret was in honour of his mother's 82nd birthday. Del always sees the best in people though and immediately gets carried away at the potential of Raquel & Tony.
Del - They could be the new Carpenters!
Rodney - Or plumbers, or brickies...
Del - Sonny & Cher.
Rodney - Chas & Dave!
Del - Renee and Ronato.
Rodney - Mills and Boon!
We are teased before the performance that "Tony has a problem". Raquel's initial performance gives Del false hope that the evening can be a success as then Tony enters the stage, and not only does his performance not match Raquel's glamour and meekness but it's revealed he can't pronounce the letter "R". Their performance of 'Crying' (or "Cawhying") is so memorable and funny as a punchline, the rest of the episode rests heavily on this joke.
Del bails out of the club early before he suspects Eugene will nail him to the door (something he is famous for). Raquel and Rodney return home to again paint a picture of what we missed off camera.
Raquel - Oh yes we saw it through to the death. We had: Please Welease me, Congwatulations, and The Gween Gween Gwass Of Home!
Rodney - And that was followed by a melody of wok and woll!
Del - That’s not funny Wodney - Rodney!
When Tony arrives he states that he doesn't sing songs with "Rs" in them, or changes the lyrics if they do. But he certainly would've struggled with the night's set list.
Tony - How can I change the lyrics to 'Crying'?! Bloody song’s called 'Crying'!
As it happens Del's luck continues as Eugene's Mum liked the act as it was the funniest thing she'd seen in years. We never see if the 5 month contract is taken up and carried out, but it would help Del's cashflow no end - Raquel being pregnant and embarrassed would be tough to convince however.
Tomorrow's episode: The Class of '62
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
S7 E2 - The Chance Of A Lunchtime
Raquel - I’ve read the play again and again, and at no point does Shakespeare mention that Rosalind... is pregnant.
As we now have both brothers in a relationship, this episode typifies how they are currently headed in different directions. Raquel gets a new role in a production of Shakespeare, only to have the news of the pregnancy interrupt things, but delighting Del who has been supportive of her. Whereas Rodney and Cassandra seem stuck in neutral, and Rodney foolishly resigns thinking Alan has heard about their latest row (which he hasn't).
There's a moment of reversal in fortunes for both couples. Del believes that Raquel is embarrassed by Del or thinks less of him than the actors she's met, and Rodney temporarily patches things up with Cassandra. For Del it's Trigger who gets in his head, with a story about is sister who dated an actor and "suddenly thought she was more intelligent than the rest of the family". Rodney's successful wooing of Cassandra again at the restaurant is down to Del's interference (again) but this time it pays off. It's a moment for relief for both of them that they show each other that they still have feelings and an attraction to each other, despite their hostile tough exteriors.'
Whilst Del let Trigger's story get to him, for Rodney it is Albert who recounts the story of Tubby Fox who resigned but they refused his resignation. Rodney takes this advice a bit too literally and ends up having his resignation accepted. Only last episode we had Alan saying he was hoping that he could leave the business to Cassandra and Rodney and retire one day. Del is in disbelief and we get Rodney failing to justify his actions.
Del - You stupid little plonker! That was the best job you've ever had, and are likely to have - and you've chucked it away!
Rodney - Listen. I am in control of my own destiny. I am my own man. I make my own decisions.
Del - Then why did you resign?
Rodney - Because he told me to!
Del sums up the situation nicely.
Del - This is all your own doing. You've got no one else to blame. You had a lovely flat, a lovely wife, the bestest job in the whole world - and you blew it!
Raquel handles Del much better than Rodney ever has, by forcing him to stop interfering when he meets her and Adrian the director at lunch. Del is put firmly in his place, which he isn't used to. She becomes the person that he listens to most, in that sense replacing his mother. Del has lacked any real direction in his life up until this point but Raquel has come in and isn't afraid to set him straight.
That's not to say he's not working like he always has however. His business with the door bells shows that he's still up to his old ways. He also knows his low hanging fruit too as he manages to sell one to Trigger, Marlene and installs one on Rodney & Cassandra's new door for a great punchline moment. We've seen Del trying to push some rubbish before, but Mike tells him in the most honest way possible what he thinks of Del's product.
Mike - Del, they're cheap and tacky!
Del - I've got one on my front door...!
Mike - Yeah, you most probably have. You'd need a brain bypass to have one of them fitted!
All of this is overshadowed by the news of Raquel's pregnancy however. How nervous she is about telling him about it is a sign that whilst they are living together, it's still early days and she fears he may not want a child. However Del's reaction is over the moon, as he is to have Raquel in his life anyway. John Sullivan commented that he knew that if the show continued as long as it currently did then baby Trotters would inevitably become a storyline.
Tomorrow's episode: Stage Fright
As we now have both brothers in a relationship, this episode typifies how they are currently headed in different directions. Raquel gets a new role in a production of Shakespeare, only to have the news of the pregnancy interrupt things, but delighting Del who has been supportive of her. Whereas Rodney and Cassandra seem stuck in neutral, and Rodney foolishly resigns thinking Alan has heard about their latest row (which he hasn't).
There's a moment of reversal in fortunes for both couples. Del believes that Raquel is embarrassed by Del or thinks less of him than the actors she's met, and Rodney temporarily patches things up with Cassandra. For Del it's Trigger who gets in his head, with a story about is sister who dated an actor and "suddenly thought she was more intelligent than the rest of the family". Rodney's successful wooing of Cassandra again at the restaurant is down to Del's interference (again) but this time it pays off. It's a moment for relief for both of them that they show each other that they still have feelings and an attraction to each other, despite their hostile tough exteriors.'
Whilst Del let Trigger's story get to him, for Rodney it is Albert who recounts the story of Tubby Fox who resigned but they refused his resignation. Rodney takes this advice a bit too literally and ends up having his resignation accepted. Only last episode we had Alan saying he was hoping that he could leave the business to Cassandra and Rodney and retire one day. Del is in disbelief and we get Rodney failing to justify his actions.
Del - You stupid little plonker! That was the best job you've ever had, and are likely to have - and you've chucked it away!
Rodney - Listen. I am in control of my own destiny. I am my own man. I make my own decisions.
Del - Then why did you resign?
Rodney - Because he told me to!
Del sums up the situation nicely.
Del - This is all your own doing. You've got no one else to blame. You had a lovely flat, a lovely wife, the bestest job in the whole world - and you blew it!
Raquel handles Del much better than Rodney ever has, by forcing him to stop interfering when he meets her and Adrian the director at lunch. Del is put firmly in his place, which he isn't used to. She becomes the person that he listens to most, in that sense replacing his mother. Del has lacked any real direction in his life up until this point but Raquel has come in and isn't afraid to set him straight.
That's not to say he's not working like he always has however. His business with the door bells shows that he's still up to his old ways. He also knows his low hanging fruit too as he manages to sell one to Trigger, Marlene and installs one on Rodney & Cassandra's new door for a great punchline moment. We've seen Del trying to push some rubbish before, but Mike tells him in the most honest way possible what he thinks of Del's product.
Mike - Del, they're cheap and tacky!
Del - I've got one on my front door...!
Mike - Yeah, you most probably have. You'd need a brain bypass to have one of them fitted!
All of this is overshadowed by the news of Raquel's pregnancy however. How nervous she is about telling him about it is a sign that whilst they are living together, it's still early days and she fears he may not want a child. However Del's reaction is over the moon, as he is to have Raquel in his life anyway. John Sullivan commented that he knew that if the show continued as long as it currently did then baby Trotters would inevitably become a storyline.
Tomorrow's episode: Stage Fright
Monday, 25 May 2020
S7 E1 - The Sky's The Limit
Raquel - You caused that? You brought Europe, an entire continent, to a standstill!
This episode feels like a sequel to the previous one, and it being aired a week after it ensured that the events of 'Rodney Come Home' are fresh in the memory of the audience. Rodney is staying with Del, Raquel and Albert, whilst Cassandra has gone off to the family villa in Spain with her mum.
Del has a great idea that he can secure the honeymoon suite of a hotel near the airport and Rodney should pick Cassandra up and take her there. This is a good idea of Del's and if it wasn't his own doing that caused the plan to unintentionally backfire then it may just have worked. Rodney also tells Del that since he started his new job with Alan there's money available if he would need it - giving us knowledge that Rodney hasn't lost sight of what's important and is getting back on his feet (despite having his mysterious viral condition / belly ache).
Raquel living in the flat is bringing about some changes, most notably to Del's diet. She refers to the events of 'Sickness & Wealth' and Dr Meadow's advice, which Del is seemingly struggling to adhere to. Albert is now defending Del's diet whereas before he was facilitating the change in breakfast.
Raquel - I don't know how you can eat that sort of rubbish, Albert.
Del - The Trotter family have been eating that sort of rub-... that sort of cuisine for generations.
Albert - It never did us any harm. My old man died when he was 81.
Del - 81, see that's a good age!
Albert - It weren't for him, he died!
The other main plot in the episode is Boycie and his top of the range, excessively sized satellite dish, which apparently gets nicked in the episode. When Bronco the decorator isn't paid by Boycie despite doing a good job and then phones Del about a satellite, Del assumes he has nicked Boycie's one in spite. Bronco also has a history of stealing very silly things and has suffered with mental illness, leading to another clever line.
Del - That psychiatrist said you had some sort of paranoia.
Bronco - You can't take any notice of him, Del. He's always had it in for me!
Del's satellite appears on the news, in a similar way to the dolls did from 'Danger UXD' and then it is clear that it came from the airport near where Bronco lives. Either way the satellite had been stolen, regardless of whether Del was in possession of it or not, so Cassandra was always going to be diverted to Manchester. However the reason for Rodney's plan going wrong lying with Del for the satellite and then Albert not relaying the right information make chances of Rodney rekindling things with Cassandra very slim anytime soon.
Tomorrow's episode: The Chance Of A Lunchtime
This episode feels like a sequel to the previous one, and it being aired a week after it ensured that the events of 'Rodney Come Home' are fresh in the memory of the audience. Rodney is staying with Del, Raquel and Albert, whilst Cassandra has gone off to the family villa in Spain with her mum.
Del has a great idea that he can secure the honeymoon suite of a hotel near the airport and Rodney should pick Cassandra up and take her there. This is a good idea of Del's and if it wasn't his own doing that caused the plan to unintentionally backfire then it may just have worked. Rodney also tells Del that since he started his new job with Alan there's money available if he would need it - giving us knowledge that Rodney hasn't lost sight of what's important and is getting back on his feet (despite having his mysterious viral condition / belly ache).
Raquel living in the flat is bringing about some changes, most notably to Del's diet. She refers to the events of 'Sickness & Wealth' and Dr Meadow's advice, which Del is seemingly struggling to adhere to. Albert is now defending Del's diet whereas before he was facilitating the change in breakfast.
Raquel - I don't know how you can eat that sort of rubbish, Albert.
Del - The Trotter family have been eating that sort of rub-... that sort of cuisine for generations.
Albert - It never did us any harm. My old man died when he was 81.
Del - 81, see that's a good age!
Albert - It weren't for him, he died!
The other main plot in the episode is Boycie and his top of the range, excessively sized satellite dish, which apparently gets nicked in the episode. When Bronco the decorator isn't paid by Boycie despite doing a good job and then phones Del about a satellite, Del assumes he has nicked Boycie's one in spite. Bronco also has a history of stealing very silly things and has suffered with mental illness, leading to another clever line.
Del - That psychiatrist said you had some sort of paranoia.
Bronco - You can't take any notice of him, Del. He's always had it in for me!
Del's satellite appears on the news, in a similar way to the dolls did from 'Danger UXD' and then it is clear that it came from the airport near where Bronco lives. Either way the satellite had been stolen, regardless of whether Del was in possession of it or not, so Cassandra was always going to be diverted to Manchester. However the reason for Rodney's plan going wrong lying with Del for the satellite and then Albert not relaying the right information make chances of Rodney rekindling things with Cassandra very slim anytime soon.
Tomorrow's episode: The Chance Of A Lunchtime
Sunday, 24 May 2020
Christmas Special 1990 - Rodney Come Home
Rodney - What a life eh? My wife don't love me, my mum's left me, and some bastard's nicked me bike!
A year has passed since Rodney being thrown out after the Jolly Boys' Outing, but this episode takes a deeper look at this plot and relationships - what makes them work and what doesn't. The introduction of Raquel as another female soundboard, and one with experience in this area is important to adding the gravitas. Raquel as a character doesn't deliver as many punchlines as many of the other characters but becomes an important glue in the family and a bounce-board for Del and Albert in the flat as we move into series 7.
Raquel - A lot of people think a marriage comes complete with gift-wrapping. It doesn't, it comes in kit-form - you have to work at it.
Albert is now fully Del's partner in crime too with Rodney now working for Alan. The opening scene has Albert on lookout again, still learning the ropes. We then get a brilliantly timed "during the war" joke but we can tell Del is very tiresome of it now cutting it short, for comic effect too. The joke around this catchphrase has certainly built up over the past few episodes and series 7 it becomes a regular punchline.
Del - I instinctively know when the optimum moment arrives, and only then will I strike.
Albert - Yeah... During the war-
Del - -Right, here we go then!
Albert - Yeah... During the war-
Del - -Right, here we go then!
The plot mostly revolves around Rodney walking out on Cassandra again and him interrupting Del's blossoming romance with Raquel - something which Del is being very cautious about due to his respect for Raquel. Both Rodney and Cassandra react to their circumstance with childish behaviour, but they each believe that they have the moral high ground. There's a lack of clear communication between them and it leads to shouting matches. It affects them both in their interactions with others, with them both delivering the best example of an immature point of view.
Chris - Rodney, why don't you go home to Cassandra? You had a nice flat, a good bird, and you've given it all up 'cause of some stupid row!
Rodney - If she wants to phone me and apologise then I'll consider it. But she started it, so she's gotta phone me first.
Rodney - If she wants to phone me and apologise then I'll consider it. But she started it, so she's gotta phone me first.
Cassandra - I'm not behaving childishly if that's what you're suggesting.
Del - You haven't phoned him though.
Cassandra - I'm not phoning him first, he started it!
Del - You haven't phoned him though.
Cassandra - I'm not phoning him first, he started it!
The funniest scene is Albert's reaction to Rodney taking Tanya to the pictures. This is up there with one of Albert's funniest moments in the history of the show. It's perfect as Del is already planning to meddle in Rodney's affairs and needs an accomplice, even though the revelation is shocking to Raquel and gives a natural reaction, but Albert's timing gives the audience a great laugh.
Del's interference leads to a line which has summed up many of the similar instances of this in the past in a moment between Albert and Raquel.
Raquel - Why does he have to interfere?!
Albert - It's in his nature. Still, it proves his heart's in the right place.
Raquel - Hmm... Pity about his brain!
Albert - It's in his nature. Still, it proves his heart's in the right place.
Raquel - Hmm... Pity about his brain!
Del arrives too late to save the day and the episode ends with a scenario very similar to the previous episode. Rodney has also managed to lock himself out of the flat and is remorseful and defeatest in summing up the situation.
Del - That's jealousy for you, bruv. It's a dangerous thing.
Rodney - We've naused this right up, ain't we?
Del - So what's new?
Rodney - We've naused this right up, ain't we?
Del - So what's new?
There's a lot of character growth in this episode for Rodney and Cassandra in particular, but Del and Raquel also move their relationship forward too. It's another instance of Del sticking his oar in on Rodney's life and it all not going to plan. The fact that Rodney ultimately does the right thing is a sign that he is maturing and has learnt something from the events, but Del hadn't trusted him to either make his own mistakes or believe that he would see sense. Their reconciliation on this point ends the episode on a heartfelt note, but the lesson on communication is relevant between the brothers just as much as it is for Rodney and Cassandra.
Tomorrow's episode: The Sky's The Limit
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)