Post by rhort on Oct 12, 2012 3:19:45 GMT -5
We begin Series 4 with a very clever introduction to the new Yvonne (Huzzah! Again Huzzah, and thrice, Huzzah! 
) played exquisitely by the gorgeous Emma Amos who really rekindled my interest in this series when she first appeared in it. This initial scene is well rounded off with the GP we’ve seen before (back in S2E08) adding a certain degree of continuity to what is a fairly important establishment for the character of Gary’s wife given the change in actress.
I find quite an interesting way of dating the series here, as Gary muses on the ‘home delivery’ comment, speculating that it would be nice to have their groceries (particularly the nappies) delivered instead of having to go to the supermarket, which is a fact of life that it seems bounced over the latter part of the 20th century, given that it’s something that’s taken for granted now, in our Information Age, and as has been mentioned before, something that also happened back in the wartime UK, but was not part of the decades in between to such a great extent. I find this an intriguing insight into something of a resurgent fashion over that 50-60 year period.
As the discussion develops across into the next scene, Gary is essentially dismissive about Yvonne on a number of levels, appearing to be ignorant of both things that she might need, as well as how she is feeling. Yvonne’s reaction to this is very much in keeping with how she’s dealt with things in the past, and refusing to go on the defensive, she instead verbally assaults Gary and, as usual, belittles his comments, leading us to the excellent ‘Blockbusters’ line.
Gary thus retreats to the 40s, apparently hoping to find some respite there, and as we await his arrival, we find Reg encountering the new Phoebe, and giving us the fantastically drôle, “You smell different” line, almost as if to point out that there is something new about her, but that Reg, in his usual character, has failed to notice just what it is. Gary, on typical form, steers things back on track, with his ready wit and extravagant gifts, bringing a spark of the extraordinary into their lives once again, and handing Phoebe the vitamin pills leads us nicely to the ‘better swimmer’ line, highlighting another aspect of life that has changed dramatically since the 40s, this time focussing on healthcare. Despite his best efforts, Gary is finding that he is unable to charm Phoebe into bed, and thus a further retreat leads him back to the 90s.
It’s no surprise that Gary returns to find Ron, and proceeds to lay out his problems, failing completely to take into account both the irony of pointing out to a man who has little in the way of sexual liaisons of late, just how much trouble can be found when one has more than his fair share, as well as the advice Ron tries to give in return, which is often the case anyway. Gary’s normal attitude shines through as he basically ignores much of what Ron has to say, despite the fact that he’s trying quite hard to help.
Back for another crack at Phoebe, and Gary finds Reg in the bar, and takes a drink. Eagle-eye viewers might happen to notice that the glass Reg uses to ‘pour’ Gary’s drink into is actually full before he puts it under the pump. As Gary puts his plan to acquire merchandise for his shop into effect, Reg is on excellent comedic form, failing to take Gary’s hints about the Czechoslovakian Navy, and delivering perhaps the biggest laugh of the episode in the “Won’t they break?” line.
Meanwhile, in the 90s, Yvonne is, once again, making plans for Gary, on behalf of Gary, and without Gary’s knowledge, as she sets up another interview for him at Sim Yung despite his protests. As this is not the first time she’s attempted this, Yvonne might be getting a bit suspicious at Gary’s attitude over this matter, as time and time again, he’s been completely and utterly fixated on keeping his shop, however, once again, she seems to let it go, after a fashion. In addition to the issues that Gary has faced up to this point, he now finds that Yvonne has gone off sex too, giving him something further to be concerned about.
The final scene in the Royal Oak, and Phoebe is attracting much more attention than usual, which is down in part to the fact that she is wearing the Wonderbra Gary gave her earlier. As Gary deals with the man selling the watch, the audience is lead to believe they can predict the outcome, but as things develop in a different way, Reg is unfortunately given the opportunity to mess things up for a colleague, as he bungles the undercover operation for them. Gary escapes by the skin of his teeth, using his fake MI documents to convince the detective that he’s working on something official, but for Reg, it seems that the trouble has only just begun.
I’d give this episode an 85% rating. Good start to the new series, and Emma Amos more than makes up for the lack of Ron
) played exquisitely by the gorgeous Emma Amos who really rekindled my interest in this series when she first appeared in it. This initial scene is well rounded off with the GP we’ve seen before (back in S2E08) adding a certain degree of continuity to what is a fairly important establishment for the character of Gary’s wife given the change in actress.I find quite an interesting way of dating the series here, as Gary muses on the ‘home delivery’ comment, speculating that it would be nice to have their groceries (particularly the nappies) delivered instead of having to go to the supermarket, which is a fact of life that it seems bounced over the latter part of the 20th century, given that it’s something that’s taken for granted now, in our Information Age, and as has been mentioned before, something that also happened back in the wartime UK, but was not part of the decades in between to such a great extent. I find this an intriguing insight into something of a resurgent fashion over that 50-60 year period.
As the discussion develops across into the next scene, Gary is essentially dismissive about Yvonne on a number of levels, appearing to be ignorant of both things that she might need, as well as how she is feeling. Yvonne’s reaction to this is very much in keeping with how she’s dealt with things in the past, and refusing to go on the defensive, she instead verbally assaults Gary and, as usual, belittles his comments, leading us to the excellent ‘Blockbusters’ line.
Gary thus retreats to the 40s, apparently hoping to find some respite there, and as we await his arrival, we find Reg encountering the new Phoebe, and giving us the fantastically drôle, “You smell different” line, almost as if to point out that there is something new about her, but that Reg, in his usual character, has failed to notice just what it is. Gary, on typical form, steers things back on track, with his ready wit and extravagant gifts, bringing a spark of the extraordinary into their lives once again, and handing Phoebe the vitamin pills leads us nicely to the ‘better swimmer’ line, highlighting another aspect of life that has changed dramatically since the 40s, this time focussing on healthcare. Despite his best efforts, Gary is finding that he is unable to charm Phoebe into bed, and thus a further retreat leads him back to the 90s.
It’s no surprise that Gary returns to find Ron, and proceeds to lay out his problems, failing completely to take into account both the irony of pointing out to a man who has little in the way of sexual liaisons of late, just how much trouble can be found when one has more than his fair share, as well as the advice Ron tries to give in return, which is often the case anyway. Gary’s normal attitude shines through as he basically ignores much of what Ron has to say, despite the fact that he’s trying quite hard to help.
Back for another crack at Phoebe, and Gary finds Reg in the bar, and takes a drink. Eagle-eye viewers might happen to notice that the glass Reg uses to ‘pour’ Gary’s drink into is actually full before he puts it under the pump. As Gary puts his plan to acquire merchandise for his shop into effect, Reg is on excellent comedic form, failing to take Gary’s hints about the Czechoslovakian Navy, and delivering perhaps the biggest laugh of the episode in the “Won’t they break?” line.
Meanwhile, in the 90s, Yvonne is, once again, making plans for Gary, on behalf of Gary, and without Gary’s knowledge, as she sets up another interview for him at Sim Yung despite his protests. As this is not the first time she’s attempted this, Yvonne might be getting a bit suspicious at Gary’s attitude over this matter, as time and time again, he’s been completely and utterly fixated on keeping his shop, however, once again, she seems to let it go, after a fashion. In addition to the issues that Gary has faced up to this point, he now finds that Yvonne has gone off sex too, giving him something further to be concerned about.
The final scene in the Royal Oak, and Phoebe is attracting much more attention than usual, which is down in part to the fact that she is wearing the Wonderbra Gary gave her earlier. As Gary deals with the man selling the watch, the audience is lead to believe they can predict the outcome, but as things develop in a different way, Reg is unfortunately given the opportunity to mess things up for a colleague, as he bungles the undercover operation for them. Gary escapes by the skin of his teeth, using his fake MI documents to convince the detective that he’s working on something official, but for Reg, it seems that the trouble has only just begun.
I’d give this episode an 85% rating. Good start to the new series, and Emma Amos more than makes up for the lack of Ron
