Post by rhort on Oct 26, 2012 3:12:25 GMT -5
Beginning in the 1940s, we find Phoebe excited about the upcoming holiday in the countryside. Obviously, this will provide a much-needed diversion from the everyday troubles of a wartime Londoner, as well as a chance to experience new things, despite Phoebe’s reaction to many of the things she encountered on her previous trip, which seems to represent something of the effect that Gary has had on her up to now, as he seems to have seen and done so much, and now Phoebe wants to share in that. Reg’s fixation on feathers kicks off his comic relief contribution for this episode, and he’s in fine form as usual.
As Gary returns home, we see an unusual camera angle from the top of the stairs for the first time, as Yvonne has packed her suitcase for her Korean business trip, and then proceeds to throw it down the stairs, unable to life heavy objects in her condition. As the two discuss the social aspects of their impending separation, Yvonne steers things towards the possibility of Gary’s infidelity, leading Gary to deliver the telling “Never in your lifetime” line, giving the viewer that feeling of knowing something Yvonne does not. I particularly enjoy the ‘Tannoy and Tears’ comment used by Yvonne, which I’d never heard before seeing this. As Yvonne reveals her plan to call home every evening to help combat her loneliness, the main plot for this episode is shown, and Gary’s problems begin.
Gary is only too well aware of the fact that the person best placed to help him in his hour of need is none other than the redoubtable Ronald Wheatcroft, as so he sets about presenting him with a candlelight banquet, incorporating all of his favourite food and a quantity of alcohol, all provided with the express intention of bringing him on side for the ensuing chaos that is no doubt about to unfold. Ron, however, is one step ahead of Gary, as is frequently the case, and seems to have already made up his mind about his preferred course of action, declining to take part in the latest antics. Gary then pushes the issue, and in the next scene, we are shown that Ron seems to have been won over to Gary’s way of thinking (I’ve often wondered if part of the kitchen scene had been deleted here), inasmuch as he’s prepared to talk to Yvonne on the phone on Gary’s behalf, even if he doesn’t appear to be taking the task at all seriously, certainly at the first attempt.
Even after Yvonne’s departure (and the 'resolution' of the issue that created), Gary problems continue to mount with the unexpected arrival of his father, who turns up to stay for a few days whilst attending a stamp collector’s fair. Another outstanding character actor here in the shape of Roger Sloman (who I always used to get mixed up with Ron Pember for some reason) continuing the trend for this series, finding well-established actors to play the one-off roles. Gary’s mind clearly goes into overdrive as he tries to work out just what he’s going to do to resolve this issue. As the introductions are made, Ron and Gary’s dad have the fantastic “My wife hates me” exchange, which for me was perhaps the biggest laugh of this episode. With his problems coming thick and fast, Gary is forced to look for some quick answers, leading to the role play he sets up where Ron takes the role of Phoebe as Gary tries to judge how she might react when he tells her that he wants to put their holiday back a week, bringing us to the point where Gary ends up with a glass of wine in the face.
Gary returns briefly to the Royal Oak, and citing the weather as a major problem they should avoid, he tries to get Phoebe to agree to switching the dates of the holiday, but as they say in the East End, ‘She ain’t havin’ none of it!’ and briskly dismisses his attempts. Gary scurries off back to the 90s and meets his Dad in the pub for a drink. As they sit musing, Gary’s Dad tells a story about a time he got lost in the East End, and had to walk down an alley looking for an address, recalling that it looked like a scene from Victorian London. This naturally excites Gary, and he hypothesises that the ability to time travel could be genetic in some way, confusing his Dad in the process.
By the time Gary goes back to the 40s, Phoebe has made arrangements to change the holiday to next week after listening to Reg’s suggestion. Gary then feels he has cause to celebrate with Ron, however, this feeling is short-lived, as a phone call from Yvonne reveals that she has changed her plans and will now be coming home a week early, throwing Gary back into panic mode. Waking Ron with the excellent ‘Cantona’ line, he then persuades him to print out a weather warning for the following week, and rushes back to get Phoebe to go on their holiday immediately, which she at first resists, but Gary takes charge, and Phoebe seems to like this.
Gary’s Dad’s disappointment at his son’s absence is quickly dissipated when he finds the wartime stamps that Gary has left for him, which are worth a considerable sum of money to him, meaning that he can take his wife on a Caribbean holiday, leading us nicely to the excellent ‘Jamaica’ line. As Ron listens to the answerphone messages from Yvonne, he revels in the thought that Gary is in trouble rather than him for once.
Meanwhile, Gary and Phoebe ‘enjoy’ a rainy time in the countryside.
I’d give this episode a 75% rating. A few good laughs, but the main plot is quite isolated within this episode, giving it little relevance to the rest of the series.
As Gary returns home, we see an unusual camera angle from the top of the stairs for the first time, as Yvonne has packed her suitcase for her Korean business trip, and then proceeds to throw it down the stairs, unable to life heavy objects in her condition. As the two discuss the social aspects of their impending separation, Yvonne steers things towards the possibility of Gary’s infidelity, leading Gary to deliver the telling “Never in your lifetime” line, giving the viewer that feeling of knowing something Yvonne does not. I particularly enjoy the ‘Tannoy and Tears’ comment used by Yvonne, which I’d never heard before seeing this. As Yvonne reveals her plan to call home every evening to help combat her loneliness, the main plot for this episode is shown, and Gary’s problems begin.
Gary is only too well aware of the fact that the person best placed to help him in his hour of need is none other than the redoubtable Ronald Wheatcroft, as so he sets about presenting him with a candlelight banquet, incorporating all of his favourite food and a quantity of alcohol, all provided with the express intention of bringing him on side for the ensuing chaos that is no doubt about to unfold. Ron, however, is one step ahead of Gary, as is frequently the case, and seems to have already made up his mind about his preferred course of action, declining to take part in the latest antics. Gary then pushes the issue, and in the next scene, we are shown that Ron seems to have been won over to Gary’s way of thinking (I’ve often wondered if part of the kitchen scene had been deleted here), inasmuch as he’s prepared to talk to Yvonne on the phone on Gary’s behalf, even if he doesn’t appear to be taking the task at all seriously, certainly at the first attempt.
Even after Yvonne’s departure (and the 'resolution' of the issue that created), Gary problems continue to mount with the unexpected arrival of his father, who turns up to stay for a few days whilst attending a stamp collector’s fair. Another outstanding character actor here in the shape of Roger Sloman (who I always used to get mixed up with Ron Pember for some reason) continuing the trend for this series, finding well-established actors to play the one-off roles. Gary’s mind clearly goes into overdrive as he tries to work out just what he’s going to do to resolve this issue. As the introductions are made, Ron and Gary’s dad have the fantastic “My wife hates me” exchange, which for me was perhaps the biggest laugh of this episode. With his problems coming thick and fast, Gary is forced to look for some quick answers, leading to the role play he sets up where Ron takes the role of Phoebe as Gary tries to judge how she might react when he tells her that he wants to put their holiday back a week, bringing us to the point where Gary ends up with a glass of wine in the face.
Gary returns briefly to the Royal Oak, and citing the weather as a major problem they should avoid, he tries to get Phoebe to agree to switching the dates of the holiday, but as they say in the East End, ‘She ain’t havin’ none of it!’ and briskly dismisses his attempts. Gary scurries off back to the 90s and meets his Dad in the pub for a drink. As they sit musing, Gary’s Dad tells a story about a time he got lost in the East End, and had to walk down an alley looking for an address, recalling that it looked like a scene from Victorian London. This naturally excites Gary, and he hypothesises that the ability to time travel could be genetic in some way, confusing his Dad in the process.
By the time Gary goes back to the 40s, Phoebe has made arrangements to change the holiday to next week after listening to Reg’s suggestion. Gary then feels he has cause to celebrate with Ron, however, this feeling is short-lived, as a phone call from Yvonne reveals that she has changed her plans and will now be coming home a week early, throwing Gary back into panic mode. Waking Ron with the excellent ‘Cantona’ line, he then persuades him to print out a weather warning for the following week, and rushes back to get Phoebe to go on their holiday immediately, which she at first resists, but Gary takes charge, and Phoebe seems to like this.
Gary’s Dad’s disappointment at his son’s absence is quickly dissipated when he finds the wartime stamps that Gary has left for him, which are worth a considerable sum of money to him, meaning that he can take his wife on a Caribbean holiday, leading us nicely to the excellent ‘Jamaica’ line. As Ron listens to the answerphone messages from Yvonne, he revels in the thought that Gary is in trouble rather than him for once.
Meanwhile, Gary and Phoebe ‘enjoy’ a rainy time in the countryside.
I’d give this episode a 75% rating. A few good laughs, but the main plot is quite isolated within this episode, giving it little relevance to the rest of the series.