Series 6 kicks off with one of the most celebrated and memorable scenes in British comedy. This scene is expertly timed, the "nice and cool" dialogue is perfect, and the acting from Roger Lloyd Pack in Trigger's reaction is sublime. There's a reason why this scene and other big slapstick moments are so well loved is because they are relatable in how they are caused and stories that are simple, easy to explain and share with others. The set up for the joke to land as well as it does is what makes it so successful however.
Simply falling over in a bar is funny in of itself, but the fact it is a fancy wine bar, with Del trying to impress some ladies, the waiter has been coming and going all episode long, and Trigger doesn't realise what's happened gives us a private and personal moment of embarrassment between us the audience and Del. No other character (apart from Albert who doesn't really hear the whole story) gets to know how embarrassing this is, but we've all had those moments either when we've tried to impress someone and it backfires, or you simply want to lean or sit on something which you think is there and no longer is. How they got Del to fall so well in the frame of the camera is great acting too, as your instinct would be to stumble back or hold your arm out if you know you're about to fall.
The episode has plenty of other laughs to it as well, many centred around Del's new yuppy image - inspired by Gordon Gekko from Wall Street. We have the normal situation of them flogging items in the market (this time the focus is on raincoats with 'Dry Clean Only' on the label), but we also see Del making bigger decisions around buying the flat - initially we think for sentimental reasons, but then he reveals it's pure business.
Del - This is from the Council. They've received my application to buy this flat and they're giving it consideration.
Rodney - This flat? Why?!
Del - Well we've been living in it since 1962. You were born in it. He was banned from it. I mean, we're all living in it, you know - the whole family. There's Mum and Grandad... you know, everyone. This place holds many warm memories for me.
Rodney - So why do you wanna buy it?
Del - So we can sell it!
Del takes Rodney down to Kings Avenue on his way to the Adult Education Centre to explain his current motivations.
Del - Look, Rodney, I wanna be successful - but for the money. I want the power and influence that success brings.
Rodney - And what will you do with all this power and influence?!
Del - Spend it!
Rodney on the other hand is still working on his computer course. He's very clear that this is a selfish plan to get out of working for Del and land a proper job. Despite the winning scene being Del in the bar, the episode's central plot is Rodney falling in love - the main theme of series 6 as a whole. It looks like love at first sight between him and Cassandra, and we get a super awkward introduction between the two.
Cassandra - You've taken my coat!
Rodney - Oh, I am so sorry.
Cassandra - It's OK. They're very similar - it's an easy mistake to make. This one's yours.
Rodney - Well how did you know it was mine?
Cassandra - It's got your name written in it!
As Rodney bumps into Cassandra later that night and they dance (much to the annoyance of Mickey and Jevon), he manages to get his lift home that Del caused him to miss out on after the evening course. Mickey manages to tag along and plants the seed of contrast between Cassandra's house and their estate. This is similar embarrassment as to what Del describes in his recalling of his love affair with the woman from Texas, but also what Del experienced in the last episode 'Dates'. After being
Rodney arrives home in another slapstick special moment - we’ve all be caught out in a massive downpour and looked like that once. Del then gets one over on Rodney as he tells Rodney just how predictable he is (even though he knows what happens through the call from Cassandra) it makes for a good laugh. We also get a good life lesson from Del provoking Rodney to bin his Filofax in retaliation.
Del - You've learnt an important lesson tonight - don't gamble! 'Cause you never know when the cards are stacked!
The end of the episode is one of the strongest in the show's history in my opinion too. Often we get an ironic twist or simple joke to end a show which is rarely the episode's best. And while the bar scene and Rodney's entrance are hysterical moments, the end panic of Rodney rushing to save the Filofax is up there too as one of the best moments of the episode. It rounds out the start of the series exceptionally well.
Tomorrow's episode: Danger UXD
No comments:
Post a Comment