Post by rhort on Jun 8, 2012 2:49:48 GMT -5
This episode’s story rapidly becomes extremely complex as the events unfold, making this episode one of the most interesting plots of the series.
Beginning with Ron arriving at Gary’s house, we see the continuation of the guys banding together over the interweaving story lines that are being concocted to make sure Gary can continue with his wartime adventures. The main thing highlighted in this opening scene seems to be that Gary is taking something of a liberty with Ron, and is bringing him to the extreme limits of their friendship and certainly not doing Ron any favours in terms of his relationship with Yvonne, who regards him with her usual distain from the moment she appears. The intricate nature of the tales they are telling can be seen here to be reaching the limits of both Gary and Ron’s respective intellects, as confusion over some of the details is emerging, but this only adds to the suspense on the viewer’s part, as we are left wondering just how long things can carry on before something unravels, and Gary is forced to deal with the issue at the heart of the matter.
Returning to the 40s, and Gary enjoys some genuine closeness with Phoebe, which I always think is good to see. One of the things that Gary brings to her is the distraction from the events of her normal everyday life, and allows her to forget about the war, if only for the briefest of moments. The examination of this in the dialogue of this scene seems to me to be largely unnecessary, as surely most people will have seen this by now, but it does help to underline Phoebe’s recognition of just how close she and Gary are becoming.
Back home, and Gary’s casual nature about his relationship with Yvonne is evident, as he plans his evening with Phoebe. This seems at first to be only clutter in this scene, however, we see here what I feel are the beginnings of a change in Yvonne, from what she is at the start of series one, to what she is by the end of series six, as she vocalises for the first time, her feelings on the frustration she is experiencing, not specifically about her relationship with Gary, but also about her life in general. It seems to me that usually, when Yvonne is talking about frustrations, they are levelled at Gary, or occasionally Ron, but here, we’re shown, very briefly, that she is thinking about other things too, and this helps immensely to flesh out her character, particularly in light of the path her life takes from this point on.
Back to the printer’s office, and Gary demonstrates exactly where he goes for aid in times of crisis. Ron on fairly typical form here and, despite the absence of Yvonne from this scene, we see more insight into Gary’s view of the state of his and Yvonne’s relationship in the way he refers to what he sees as her attempts to help save their marriage. This brings even more question marks over the matter of why he stays with Yvonne, and doesn’t just leave her for Phoebe.
As the guys discuss the formulation of the plan, the Heath Robinson nature of the scheme begins to take shape, as in fairly standard sit-com style, the arrangements are rather clumsily put into effect, and I really enjoy the enthusiasm with which Ron embraces this.
As the plan to dine with both Yvonne and Phoebe is put into practice, we see Gary becoming increasingly more uncomfortable. Ron’s mistake with the wine is classically typical of him, although gives a good indication of the disparity between what the viewer knows, and hence takes for granted, and what someone in Ron’s position might easily overlook, after all, to him, the events of Gary’s wartime exploits are merely second hand stories recounted by Gary himself.
Yvonne’s attempt to revive things physically with Gary is met with Gary’s normal level of subdued response, and it’s always seemed to me at this point that he really is only interested in Phoebe. As the two interwoven scenes here develop, it becomes surprising that either Yvonne and/or Phoebe didn’t become suspicious about things much earlier on, given that it seems Gary leaves them each for several fifteen minute periods at a time.
The final scene shows a lot about the strength of Gary and Ron’s relationship, particularly as Ron shows what a good friend he is, taking the flack over the issues that have been caused by Gary. I often wonder what it is that drives Ron, in terms of being friends with Gary, aside from the obvious excitement of having a mate who’s a time traveller, as he always seems to be on the short end of things, not only from Yvonne, but now from Stella too.
I’d give this episode a 75% rating. Not many huge laughs, but a most interesting plot.
Beginning with Ron arriving at Gary’s house, we see the continuation of the guys banding together over the interweaving story lines that are being concocted to make sure Gary can continue with his wartime adventures. The main thing highlighted in this opening scene seems to be that Gary is taking something of a liberty with Ron, and is bringing him to the extreme limits of their friendship and certainly not doing Ron any favours in terms of his relationship with Yvonne, who regards him with her usual distain from the moment she appears. The intricate nature of the tales they are telling can be seen here to be reaching the limits of both Gary and Ron’s respective intellects, as confusion over some of the details is emerging, but this only adds to the suspense on the viewer’s part, as we are left wondering just how long things can carry on before something unravels, and Gary is forced to deal with the issue at the heart of the matter.
Returning to the 40s, and Gary enjoys some genuine closeness with Phoebe, which I always think is good to see. One of the things that Gary brings to her is the distraction from the events of her normal everyday life, and allows her to forget about the war, if only for the briefest of moments. The examination of this in the dialogue of this scene seems to me to be largely unnecessary, as surely most people will have seen this by now, but it does help to underline Phoebe’s recognition of just how close she and Gary are becoming.
Back home, and Gary’s casual nature about his relationship with Yvonne is evident, as he plans his evening with Phoebe. This seems at first to be only clutter in this scene, however, we see here what I feel are the beginnings of a change in Yvonne, from what she is at the start of series one, to what she is by the end of series six, as she vocalises for the first time, her feelings on the frustration she is experiencing, not specifically about her relationship with Gary, but also about her life in general. It seems to me that usually, when Yvonne is talking about frustrations, they are levelled at Gary, or occasionally Ron, but here, we’re shown, very briefly, that she is thinking about other things too, and this helps immensely to flesh out her character, particularly in light of the path her life takes from this point on.
Back to the printer’s office, and Gary demonstrates exactly where he goes for aid in times of crisis. Ron on fairly typical form here and, despite the absence of Yvonne from this scene, we see more insight into Gary’s view of the state of his and Yvonne’s relationship in the way he refers to what he sees as her attempts to help save their marriage. This brings even more question marks over the matter of why he stays with Yvonne, and doesn’t just leave her for Phoebe.
As the guys discuss the formulation of the plan, the Heath Robinson nature of the scheme begins to take shape, as in fairly standard sit-com style, the arrangements are rather clumsily put into effect, and I really enjoy the enthusiasm with which Ron embraces this.
As the plan to dine with both Yvonne and Phoebe is put into practice, we see Gary becoming increasingly more uncomfortable. Ron’s mistake with the wine is classically typical of him, although gives a good indication of the disparity between what the viewer knows, and hence takes for granted, and what someone in Ron’s position might easily overlook, after all, to him, the events of Gary’s wartime exploits are merely second hand stories recounted by Gary himself.
Yvonne’s attempt to revive things physically with Gary is met with Gary’s normal level of subdued response, and it’s always seemed to me at this point that he really is only interested in Phoebe. As the two interwoven scenes here develop, it becomes surprising that either Yvonne and/or Phoebe didn’t become suspicious about things much earlier on, given that it seems Gary leaves them each for several fifteen minute periods at a time.
The final scene shows a lot about the strength of Gary and Ron’s relationship, particularly as Ron shows what a good friend he is, taking the flack over the issues that have been caused by Gary. I often wonder what it is that drives Ron, in terms of being friends with Gary, aside from the obvious excitement of having a mate who’s a time traveller, as he always seems to be on the short end of things, not only from Yvonne, but now from Stella too.
I’d give this episode a 75% rating. Not many huge laughs, but a most interesting plot.
