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
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