Post by rhort on Oct 19, 2012 3:27:32 GMT -5
For some reason, this episode has the same title as S1E6; I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was an admin error that lead to this.
We open with a rare picture of almost wedded bliss for Gary and Yvonne, sitting together in moment of closeness, whilst Gary reads out the names of some Korean dishes in Yvonne’s phrase book. This introduces two key plot elements in one go, pointing out both Yvonne’s morning sickness and the fact that she’s about to go on a Korean business trip. At this stage, Gary seems to show only minor concern at either.
Something of a reversal of roles comes to light then, as Ron comes to Gary in a moment of crisis, and we see something more of the disparity between the way each man reacts when the other has a problem. As Ron details the finer points of his issue, Yvonne punctuates the conversation with her nausea on a number of levels, not least of all at Ron’s ‘Korea Move’ joke.
Of particular interest to me here is the Gareth Southgate reference, which not only dates this issue, but always raises a point of contention in my mind, as it’s customary to assign the word ‘miss’ to Southgate’s memory, however, for those who remember the football match in question (Euro 96 semi-finals), he didn’t actually miss his penalty, it was saved by the German goalkeeper.
Our first visit this episode to the 40s, and we find Phoebe in something of a heightened emotional state, demonstrated most clearly when Gary tells her that he’ll be having an extended period of leave from work, all of which appears to give Gary cause to wonder if Ron’s earlier ramblings had any actual relevance. As Gary’s conversation with Reg develops, we are shown once again Reg’s lack of understanding of elements of the world at large, bringing us some of the biggest laughs of this episode with the transition of childbirth to the “belly button” and “gooseberry bush” lines. Reg being a simple soul, doesn’t seem to have any issue with Gary’s incredulity at his misunderstanding, and soldiers on regardless of Gary’s dismissiveness.
Back in the 90s, and Yvonne is once again making plans in her own head, laying out the upcoming itinerary for Gary, much to his confusion. On this occasion, however, Yvonne is put on the back foot when she realises that her husband’s confusion is not down to his usual lack of attention, but is actually caused by her having failed to tell him about the impending arrival of ‘Little Arthur’. In this first instance, however, Gary is relatively unconcerned, as he is planning to be at the shop whilst Yvonne will be at home with their nephew, despite the fact that this is supposed to be a kind of parenting trial run for the two of them. As is often the case, this does not quite go according to plan, and Yvonne’s increased illness forces her to pass Arthur on to Gary, sending him in a taxi to the shop so that Gary can take over whilst she rests for a while.
Arthur’s arrival at the shop finds Gary greeting him with only a cursory glance as he discusses the issue of the fare (and tip) with the driver, and this is then further compounded by the arrival of Ron, and his typically long, drawn out speech about alcohol and related topics, after which, Gary realises that Arthur has disappeared. A quick search around the back of the shop fails to locate the missing boy, and Gary assumes that he has managed somehow to pass through the portal. All this then further causes Gary to realise that he has no real clue what Arthur actually looks like, sending him into a something of a panic, and so through the portal he goes after him.
The appearance of a lost young boy in The Royal Oak confuses Reg, who doesn’t seem quite so sure of the letter of the law as he did when dealing with Billy-Jo a few weeks back, however, in Phoebe the motherhood gene seems to have kicked in already, and her first instinct is protective, and she takes the lad upstairs for a bath and something to eat, which certainly doesn’t raise any complaints from him. Gary’s arrival a few moments later leads us to more insight into his view of Reg, with the “No, I mean a proper…” line, which dies in his mouth as he utters it without thinking. Reg then brings us another big laugh with his “he’s in the sink” line, sending Gary scurrying upstairs to discover Phoebe with the boy sitting at the table eating. Gary’s attempts to return with the boy to the 90s are then fruitless, for reasons know to the viewer but not to Gary himself, and eventually the boy gives him the slip, meaning Gary has to return empty-handed.
Back in the shop, and crisis talks with Ron. This week’s ‘eagle-eyed viewer’ moment is the sound mic caught briefly in the upper right of shot at the very start of this scene -- don’t worry Terry, this was one of Robin’s
. As Gary dashes off back to Cricklewood, he is greeted at the door by Yvonne in standard punishment mode, leading Gary into the front room where Reg’s 90s contemporary has helped to return Arthur to them. As is probably quite understandable, Yvonne is singularly unimpressed with Gary’s parenting skills, and she shows a typical lack of restraint when telling him about this.
I’d give this episode a 70% rating. A couple of big laughs, but nothing special really; one for the fans only.
We open with a rare picture of almost wedded bliss for Gary and Yvonne, sitting together in moment of closeness, whilst Gary reads out the names of some Korean dishes in Yvonne’s phrase book. This introduces two key plot elements in one go, pointing out both Yvonne’s morning sickness and the fact that she’s about to go on a Korean business trip. At this stage, Gary seems to show only minor concern at either.
Something of a reversal of roles comes to light then, as Ron comes to Gary in a moment of crisis, and we see something more of the disparity between the way each man reacts when the other has a problem. As Ron details the finer points of his issue, Yvonne punctuates the conversation with her nausea on a number of levels, not least of all at Ron’s ‘Korea Move’ joke.
Of particular interest to me here is the Gareth Southgate reference, which not only dates this issue, but always raises a point of contention in my mind, as it’s customary to assign the word ‘miss’ to Southgate’s memory, however, for those who remember the football match in question (Euro 96 semi-finals), he didn’t actually miss his penalty, it was saved by the German goalkeeper.
Our first visit this episode to the 40s, and we find Phoebe in something of a heightened emotional state, demonstrated most clearly when Gary tells her that he’ll be having an extended period of leave from work, all of which appears to give Gary cause to wonder if Ron’s earlier ramblings had any actual relevance. As Gary’s conversation with Reg develops, we are shown once again Reg’s lack of understanding of elements of the world at large, bringing us some of the biggest laughs of this episode with the transition of childbirth to the “belly button” and “gooseberry bush” lines. Reg being a simple soul, doesn’t seem to have any issue with Gary’s incredulity at his misunderstanding, and soldiers on regardless of Gary’s dismissiveness.
Back in the 90s, and Yvonne is once again making plans in her own head, laying out the upcoming itinerary for Gary, much to his confusion. On this occasion, however, Yvonne is put on the back foot when she realises that her husband’s confusion is not down to his usual lack of attention, but is actually caused by her having failed to tell him about the impending arrival of ‘Little Arthur’. In this first instance, however, Gary is relatively unconcerned, as he is planning to be at the shop whilst Yvonne will be at home with their nephew, despite the fact that this is supposed to be a kind of parenting trial run for the two of them. As is often the case, this does not quite go according to plan, and Yvonne’s increased illness forces her to pass Arthur on to Gary, sending him in a taxi to the shop so that Gary can take over whilst she rests for a while.
Arthur’s arrival at the shop finds Gary greeting him with only a cursory glance as he discusses the issue of the fare (and tip) with the driver, and this is then further compounded by the arrival of Ron, and his typically long, drawn out speech about alcohol and related topics, after which, Gary realises that Arthur has disappeared. A quick search around the back of the shop fails to locate the missing boy, and Gary assumes that he has managed somehow to pass through the portal. All this then further causes Gary to realise that he has no real clue what Arthur actually looks like, sending him into a something of a panic, and so through the portal he goes after him.
The appearance of a lost young boy in The Royal Oak confuses Reg, who doesn’t seem quite so sure of the letter of the law as he did when dealing with Billy-Jo a few weeks back, however, in Phoebe the motherhood gene seems to have kicked in already, and her first instinct is protective, and she takes the lad upstairs for a bath and something to eat, which certainly doesn’t raise any complaints from him. Gary’s arrival a few moments later leads us to more insight into his view of Reg, with the “No, I mean a proper…” line, which dies in his mouth as he utters it without thinking. Reg then brings us another big laugh with his “he’s in the sink” line, sending Gary scurrying upstairs to discover Phoebe with the boy sitting at the table eating. Gary’s attempts to return with the boy to the 90s are then fruitless, for reasons know to the viewer but not to Gary himself, and eventually the boy gives him the slip, meaning Gary has to return empty-handed.
Back in the shop, and crisis talks with Ron. This week’s ‘eagle-eyed viewer’ moment is the sound mic caught briefly in the upper right of shot at the very start of this scene -- don’t worry Terry, this was one of Robin’s
. As Gary dashes off back to Cricklewood, he is greeted at the door by Yvonne in standard punishment mode, leading Gary into the front room where Reg’s 90s contemporary has helped to return Arthur to them. As is probably quite understandable, Yvonne is singularly unimpressed with Gary’s parenting skills, and she shows a typical lack of restraint when telling him about this. I’d give this episode a 70% rating. A couple of big laughs, but nothing special really; one for the fans only.
