Post by rhort on Jan 11, 2013 4:18:54 GMT -5
We begin at the shop, which is eventually the location for the climax of this episode, and indeed a pivotal point in the entire series. As Gary and Yvonne enter, we can hear right from the start that Yvonne is talking, quite loudly and aggressively, to one of her minions on her mobile phone. Gary’s reaction to her when she’s finished kicks us off with a big laugh at the “Silly little beard” line. Apparently recognising how much time she spends working these day, Yvonne then goes on to try and convince Gary that she wants to spend more time with him, however, Gary is immediately on the defensive, indicating that he needs to spend time at the shop. As Yvonne continues, she gives Gary an expensive present, in the form of a personal organiser in an antique silver case, which he is clearly impressed by. As the mood changes, Gary goes to put on some music, but instead introduces a key part of the plot later in the episode by accidentally putting on his ‘Sounds of The Blitz’ tape, filling the shop with the wail of an air raid siren. At this point, Ron arrives with news of his date, and the level of conversation quickly dissolves into blokey football references.
Back to the 40s, and Gary finds that Phoebe seems to be in a similar mood to Yvonne, in that she’s concerning herself more and more with the amount of time she spends with him, and this leads to her noting the frequency with which he’s away and the fact that she has to do most of the work keeping the house going, and looking after Michael. Almost as a lucky escape for Gary, Reg appears, in something of a panic, to tell them about the unexploded bomb that has fallen outside in Ducketts Passage. Joining Reg out there a while later, Gary finds the place in disarray, and is naturally concerned about how he might get back to the shop. We are given another of this series’ future insights here, as Reg shouts after ‘Ronnie and Reggie’, causing trouble, and then a more general insight, as a leading question, "What’s so special about Ducketts Passage?" is asked, leaving Gary scrabbling for an explanation once again. Sending Reg down to ask how long the passage will be blocked then leads us to the explosion, which throws Reg clear, and giving us the excellent “Not again, Margie!” line.
As Reg is taken back to the Oak, Phoebe sorts out the bandaging on his head, where he has clearly taken quite a knock, and as the conversation with him, and around him develops, we see something of the effect that seems to have taken place, which first exhibits itself when Reg tells Gary not to be facetious, and then goes on to make a clever connection in a petrol coupon ring case he’s been working on.
Gary, however, has far more pressing matters on his mind, so basically ignores this for the time being and rushes off to check on the portal, which after a little clambering around over the debris, he finds to be working normally, and so he returns to the shop to count his blessings. As he stands in the shop taking stock of events, Phoebe appears behind him, leaving us with a classic moment of reaction.
Quickly managing to convince Phoebe that she has stumbled into his secret headquarters, he tries to lead her back out past the wheelie bin, and through the portal, but finds that it is blocked. Taking her back to the shop, he then puts her in the back room whilst he attempts to hide all of the post war items that are in his shop. Phoebe’s call of “What’s a Toilet Duck?!” reminds him of one last thing he’s forgotten. Bringing her back out, Gary starts the ‘Blitz’ tape on his stereo, and this convinces Phoebe to take cover until it’s over. When Yvonne calls on the telephone, Gary Realises that he doesn’t have much time to play with, and in a moment of panic when she says she’ll meet him at the shop, he tells her that he’ll meet her at home, which then leads to further alarm as he realises he’ll need someone to take care of Phoebe whilst he goes to see Yvonne. When Ron’s mobile rings, we find him in Piccadilly Circus, waiting for his date, and at first he refuses to come and help, until Gary explains the full situation to him, at which point he immediately sets off, leaving his disappointed date to arrive a moment later to find him gone.
When Ron arrives at the shop, apparently during a lull in the air raid, Gary explains the plan, whilst Ron muses about the probability that his date wasn’t worth worrying about, and then goes on to suggest that the portal might never re-open, which doesn’t help Gary’s level of stress at all. In typical Ron style, as he begins to formulate a plan to give himself something of a back story, he goes completely over the top, giving a Sean Connery impersonation to add weight to his ‘Bond’ persona.
Given the issues inherent with leaving Ron in charge, the quickest of visits to Cricklewood is called for, and Gary’s hyperactive manner is apparent right from the outset, as he literally has a quick drink with Yvonne, before concocting an excuse to rush off back to the shop, however, when Yvonne wants to come with him, for once Gary can’t think of a reason to put her off, and so is forced to take her along. However, when they arrive at the shop (in what is a very modest car for someone who’s a millionaire), an opportunity to put Yvonne off coming into the shop luckily presents itself, as Ron’s silhouette can clearly be seen on the shop’s blinds, Gary quickly weaves a story for Yvonne about Ron’s date being into unusual sexual activities, and she agrees to wait in the car.
Ron’s storytelling antics have put Phoebe to sleep, and as Gary arrives he checks the portal and finds that it’s now open once again. As he goes in to get Phoebe, Yvonne comes into the shop, sending Gary’s level of panic sky high, as the brief exchange between the his wartime wife, and his “Number 1” unfolds, however, as the suggestion of leaving prompts Phoebe to bring up the matter of the blindfold, Yvonne beats a hasty retreat and returns to the car, leaving both of Gary’s lives intact for the time being, which doesn’t stop him from another classic ‘Nicholas reacts’ moment, as he struggles to work out if that really just happened.
The final scene in the Royal Oak, and we find Reg’s head injury has ushered in something of a renaissance for him, as he appears to be much cleverer than he is normally, as he reports on the various things that he’s noticed, chief among them some crimes that he’s solved, and his interest in a report of one of the ARP wardens having seen a disembodied hand in Ducketts Passage. As this and other issues sink in, we see that the pivotal moments in his episode have not finished yet, as Ron appears to greet Gary with his usual level of cheery banter. Once again, ‘Nicholas reacts’!
I’d give this episode a 95% rating. Lots of laughs, lots of Ron, lots of key moments making this a must-see episode.
Back to the 40s, and Gary finds that Phoebe seems to be in a similar mood to Yvonne, in that she’s concerning herself more and more with the amount of time she spends with him, and this leads to her noting the frequency with which he’s away and the fact that she has to do most of the work keeping the house going, and looking after Michael. Almost as a lucky escape for Gary, Reg appears, in something of a panic, to tell them about the unexploded bomb that has fallen outside in Ducketts Passage. Joining Reg out there a while later, Gary finds the place in disarray, and is naturally concerned about how he might get back to the shop. We are given another of this series’ future insights here, as Reg shouts after ‘Ronnie and Reggie’, causing trouble, and then a more general insight, as a leading question, "What’s so special about Ducketts Passage?" is asked, leaving Gary scrabbling for an explanation once again. Sending Reg down to ask how long the passage will be blocked then leads us to the explosion, which throws Reg clear, and giving us the excellent “Not again, Margie!” line.
As Reg is taken back to the Oak, Phoebe sorts out the bandaging on his head, where he has clearly taken quite a knock, and as the conversation with him, and around him develops, we see something of the effect that seems to have taken place, which first exhibits itself when Reg tells Gary not to be facetious, and then goes on to make a clever connection in a petrol coupon ring case he’s been working on.
Gary, however, has far more pressing matters on his mind, so basically ignores this for the time being and rushes off to check on the portal, which after a little clambering around over the debris, he finds to be working normally, and so he returns to the shop to count his blessings. As he stands in the shop taking stock of events, Phoebe appears behind him, leaving us with a classic moment of reaction.
Quickly managing to convince Phoebe that she has stumbled into his secret headquarters, he tries to lead her back out past the wheelie bin, and through the portal, but finds that it is blocked. Taking her back to the shop, he then puts her in the back room whilst he attempts to hide all of the post war items that are in his shop. Phoebe’s call of “What’s a Toilet Duck?!” reminds him of one last thing he’s forgotten. Bringing her back out, Gary starts the ‘Blitz’ tape on his stereo, and this convinces Phoebe to take cover until it’s over. When Yvonne calls on the telephone, Gary Realises that he doesn’t have much time to play with, and in a moment of panic when she says she’ll meet him at the shop, he tells her that he’ll meet her at home, which then leads to further alarm as he realises he’ll need someone to take care of Phoebe whilst he goes to see Yvonne. When Ron’s mobile rings, we find him in Piccadilly Circus, waiting for his date, and at first he refuses to come and help, until Gary explains the full situation to him, at which point he immediately sets off, leaving his disappointed date to arrive a moment later to find him gone.
When Ron arrives at the shop, apparently during a lull in the air raid, Gary explains the plan, whilst Ron muses about the probability that his date wasn’t worth worrying about, and then goes on to suggest that the portal might never re-open, which doesn’t help Gary’s level of stress at all. In typical Ron style, as he begins to formulate a plan to give himself something of a back story, he goes completely over the top, giving a Sean Connery impersonation to add weight to his ‘Bond’ persona.
Given the issues inherent with leaving Ron in charge, the quickest of visits to Cricklewood is called for, and Gary’s hyperactive manner is apparent right from the outset, as he literally has a quick drink with Yvonne, before concocting an excuse to rush off back to the shop, however, when Yvonne wants to come with him, for once Gary can’t think of a reason to put her off, and so is forced to take her along. However, when they arrive at the shop (in what is a very modest car for someone who’s a millionaire), an opportunity to put Yvonne off coming into the shop luckily presents itself, as Ron’s silhouette can clearly be seen on the shop’s blinds, Gary quickly weaves a story for Yvonne about Ron’s date being into unusual sexual activities, and she agrees to wait in the car.
Ron’s storytelling antics have put Phoebe to sleep, and as Gary arrives he checks the portal and finds that it’s now open once again. As he goes in to get Phoebe, Yvonne comes into the shop, sending Gary’s level of panic sky high, as the brief exchange between the his wartime wife, and his “Number 1” unfolds, however, as the suggestion of leaving prompts Phoebe to bring up the matter of the blindfold, Yvonne beats a hasty retreat and returns to the car, leaving both of Gary’s lives intact for the time being, which doesn’t stop him from another classic ‘Nicholas reacts’ moment, as he struggles to work out if that really just happened.
The final scene in the Royal Oak, and we find Reg’s head injury has ushered in something of a renaissance for him, as he appears to be much cleverer than he is normally, as he reports on the various things that he’s noticed, chief among them some crimes that he’s solved, and his interest in a report of one of the ARP wardens having seen a disembodied hand in Ducketts Passage. As this and other issues sink in, we see that the pivotal moments in his episode have not finished yet, as Ron appears to greet Gary with his usual level of cheery banter. Once again, ‘Nicholas reacts’!
I’d give this episode a 95% rating. Lots of laughs, lots of Ron, lots of key moments making this a must-see episode.
