Del - The trouble with you, Rodney, is that you will insist on thinking!
We start this episode with a classic chase scene where Rodney hasn’t spotted the oncoming police officer and Del gets chased with his squeaking toy dogs through a department store, down some alleyways, chased by actual dogs and then losing the entire stock in the getaway. The addition of the Jaws theme in this scene just adds to the comedy. The YouTube clip here cuts it off a little too early as there are 2 additional punchlines of the policeman getting chased back up the alleyway by the dogs, and then Del arriving home in a huff only for Grandad to ask “Had a good day, Del?!” Del’s rants are always makes me laugh, this one is up there for me but the script goes further in an episode like ’Tea for Three’.
Many episodes have the three main characters laughing or upset at one of the other members of the show, but this episode has it in bounds. The central dynamic between the three characters is the core of the show, with the supporting cast taking on more of a role as the episodes grew longer most notably. These earlier episodes allowed the writer to really explore creative jokes and insults aimed at each other - none with any real malice but enough to make us laugh a lot. It’s in this moment of reflection that we get one of these howlers.
Rodney - For the last 2 weeks or so, I’ve been taking stock of my life: who I am, what I am and where I’m going.
Del - And that’s taken you a fortnight?! I could’ve answered all them questions for you - could’ve answered them all in the commercial break!
Rodney - Will you just shut up for one minute?! I am 24 years old. I have 2 GCEs, 13 years of schooling, and 3 terms at an adult education centre behind me, right? And with all that, what have I become? I’m a look-out.
Del - No, Rodney, you’re wrong. You’re not just a look-out. YOU'RE A BAD LOOKOUT!
Following on the theme from the previous episode around Rodney seeking more independence and control, we get him breaking up the partnership with Del and forming a new one with Mickey Pearce. Initially, Rodney looks set to prove us all wrong with an eye out at the auction for some cut glass goblets. Del’s outwitting of Rodney here though continues the theme of Rodney’s ignorance and lack of experience versus Del’s ability to manipulate people and situations to his advantage.
Then when it turns out that Mickey has taken the rest of the new money that the two of them have invested and headed off to Benidorm alone without telling Rodney, we see Rodney putting on a brave face. There’s an inner pride that Rodney has, which is more aimed at wanting to make his own decisions and feel in control of his life. This comes back to Del being an extrovert, wearing his heart on his sleeve, whereas Rodney is more of an introvert and finding it difficult to have a place outside of Del’s shadow. Rodney isn’t the best blagger in the world, we saw that as far back as the very first episode - and it doesn’t wash here with either Del or Grandad. It only leads to more ridicule...
Rodney - We’re going into the self-catering holiday trade.
Del - What on 200 nicker?!
Rodney - Yeah well, we’re starting in a small way.
Grandad - What you got, a wendy house?!
As the episode closes with Rodney revealing himself to be an even bigger plonker than we had first thought (a “42-carat” one if you ask Del), it shows that Rodney still has a lot to learn! His attempt to break free continues well into other series, with various degrees of success and failure to come.
Tomorrow’s episode: Friday the 14th
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