Post by rhort on Jan 18, 2013 4:19:38 GMT -5
Not only kicking off where the last episode ended, but actually repeating the final dialogue too, gives this episode a real feeling of being a two-parter. Gary’s instant reaction to Ron’s arrival is to grab hold of him and drag him forcibly back through the portal to the shop, where a heated argument ensues. As the discussion develops, Yvonne arrives, having been sat outside for an extended period of time, and asks where Phoebe has gone. As the two men are distracted by her for a moment, she mentions that she is going to see Chelsea football club for a business meeting, leading Gary to quickly seize upon the opportunity to see if she can get tickets for an important match the following evening. Convincing Yvonne to leave without him, Gary then tries to use the possibility of the tickets in an attempt to distract Ron from the issue of the time portal, but Ron is having none of it, and has only one thing on his mind, rushing off to collect items he will need, he informs Gary that he will return in “the full monty”, much to Gary’s despair on a number of levels.
Gary takes up the responsibility for guard duty on the portal, but as his all-night vigil nears its end, he falls asleep, only to be woken by Ron some time later, banging insistently on the shop door. Ron has come equipped in full costume, with ID papers and cash, ready for an adventure in wartime London. Gary attempts to convince Ron that he shouldn’t do this, citing technicalities such as a lack of knowledge of government ministers and grocery prices, however, Ron simply comes back with similar questions about contemporary facts, leaving Gary with nowhere to go. As they debate further, I always found it amusing that they couldn’t remember the name of ‘Master Po’, which is one of those moment in Goodnight Sweetheart that always comes to mind for me when remembering the series. Gary finally tries to dissuade Ron by telling him that the portal has closed, perhaps permanently, however, Ron is thoroughly unconvinced, and pushes past Gary, and heads off through the portal.
Arriving at the Royal Oak, Ron meets the locals, although far fewer than he was expecting. Shortly afterwards, a visibly panicked Gary joins them, running in through the door and immediately wanting a quiet word with Ron. As the news emerges that Reg has been transferred to a prestigious position at Scotland Yard following his sudden increase in intellect, plans for celebrations are in progress, beginning with a round of sherry, leading to the excellent “and you think you know someone” line, and proceeding to Ron inviting all those assembled to visit a club for food and drink as his guests. Whilst this is happening, however, the newly intellectual Reg notices Ron’s unusual nature and queries this with Gary, leading to the first excuses that have to be made on his behalf. On this occasion, Gary dismissed Ron’s exuberance as eccentricity, but that doesn’t stop him taking Ron to one side for a word or two.
Meanwhile, back in the shop, Gary’s answering machine is receiving an important message from Yvonne, informing him that she has arranged for VIP lounge access for him and Ron at the football match, and a stern warning for him not to be late.
As the plans for the evening are finalised, Phoebe notices that Ron will be the only one on his own, so decides to arrange a date for him with Violet. On arriving at the club, Ron is surprised to find out that Gary can dance, which puts his own clumsy efforts with Violet very much in the spotlight, as he repeatedly steps on her feet, causing her to complain to Phoebe about that, and other things. An already suspicious Reg is then put on further alert by the way in which Ron is spending large amounts of money, and the addition of Violet’s observations about Ron’s manner not being that of other officers she’s encountered only adds to Gary’s problems. When the club owner himself intervenes, Gary is left with no more excuses, and he tells everyone that Ron is not simply from a long line of eccentrics, but that he is in fact, mentally ill. This admission seems to cause little surprise.
A hasty escape to the relative safety of the west end flat sees Gary, Phoebe and Ron arrive just as the air raid siren sounds, and they move quickly to the shelter. The long wait in the basement gives Ron cause to ponder upon the realities of wartime life, rather than the excitement he’s experienced up to now, even causing him to muse upon the fact that war films must have “cut all the boring bits out”. Gary takes this time to try and impress upon Ron the foolishness of what he’s been doing, however, things backfire as Ron takes offence and in the ensuing argument, he takes advantage of protocol and has Gary restrained. Reg’s arrival suggests the possibility of some relief for Gary, however, Ron has categorised him as a military prisoner, and hence placed him beyond the constable’s jurisdiction.
Taking a moment to ‘question’ Gary, is seems that Ron finds himself unable to control his need to allay everyone’s fears about the war given his knowledge of the future, and so he decides to make a speech to that end, however, his natural exuberance, combined with a certain amount of alcohol, lead him to make apparently wilder and wilder claims, leading to his eventual downfall about the Chelsea team, which is just too much, and prompts the locals into regaining control from him, and handcuffing him to Gary, who announces that Ron is drunk, and a little crazy, before whisking him off to the portal.
Back at the shop, and Ron’s annoyance is apparent right from the start, however, this is eclipsed by the arrival of Yvonne, who wants to know why they didn’t turn up for the football match. One of the biggest laughs of the episode for me comes here, when Yvonne states that she doesn’t know who won the match as she was talking to someone. As Ron’s frustration reaches its limits, he resolves to return to the 40s, despite Gary’s desperate pleas, and as he attempt to enter the portal, Gary turns Yvonne away so that she won’t see it, however, Ron fails to pass through the gates, instead crashing into them, leaving Yvonne distressed that she didn’t witness that.
I’d give this episode a 95% rating. Really funny, and could be a double episode with the last one.
Gary takes up the responsibility for guard duty on the portal, but as his all-night vigil nears its end, he falls asleep, only to be woken by Ron some time later, banging insistently on the shop door. Ron has come equipped in full costume, with ID papers and cash, ready for an adventure in wartime London. Gary attempts to convince Ron that he shouldn’t do this, citing technicalities such as a lack of knowledge of government ministers and grocery prices, however, Ron simply comes back with similar questions about contemporary facts, leaving Gary with nowhere to go. As they debate further, I always found it amusing that they couldn’t remember the name of ‘Master Po’, which is one of those moment in Goodnight Sweetheart that always comes to mind for me when remembering the series. Gary finally tries to dissuade Ron by telling him that the portal has closed, perhaps permanently, however, Ron is thoroughly unconvinced, and pushes past Gary, and heads off through the portal.
Arriving at the Royal Oak, Ron meets the locals, although far fewer than he was expecting. Shortly afterwards, a visibly panicked Gary joins them, running in through the door and immediately wanting a quiet word with Ron. As the news emerges that Reg has been transferred to a prestigious position at Scotland Yard following his sudden increase in intellect, plans for celebrations are in progress, beginning with a round of sherry, leading to the excellent “and you think you know someone” line, and proceeding to Ron inviting all those assembled to visit a club for food and drink as his guests. Whilst this is happening, however, the newly intellectual Reg notices Ron’s unusual nature and queries this with Gary, leading to the first excuses that have to be made on his behalf. On this occasion, Gary dismissed Ron’s exuberance as eccentricity, but that doesn’t stop him taking Ron to one side for a word or two.
Meanwhile, back in the shop, Gary’s answering machine is receiving an important message from Yvonne, informing him that she has arranged for VIP lounge access for him and Ron at the football match, and a stern warning for him not to be late.
As the plans for the evening are finalised, Phoebe notices that Ron will be the only one on his own, so decides to arrange a date for him with Violet. On arriving at the club, Ron is surprised to find out that Gary can dance, which puts his own clumsy efforts with Violet very much in the spotlight, as he repeatedly steps on her feet, causing her to complain to Phoebe about that, and other things. An already suspicious Reg is then put on further alert by the way in which Ron is spending large amounts of money, and the addition of Violet’s observations about Ron’s manner not being that of other officers she’s encountered only adds to Gary’s problems. When the club owner himself intervenes, Gary is left with no more excuses, and he tells everyone that Ron is not simply from a long line of eccentrics, but that he is in fact, mentally ill. This admission seems to cause little surprise.
A hasty escape to the relative safety of the west end flat sees Gary, Phoebe and Ron arrive just as the air raid siren sounds, and they move quickly to the shelter. The long wait in the basement gives Ron cause to ponder upon the realities of wartime life, rather than the excitement he’s experienced up to now, even causing him to muse upon the fact that war films must have “cut all the boring bits out”. Gary takes this time to try and impress upon Ron the foolishness of what he’s been doing, however, things backfire as Ron takes offence and in the ensuing argument, he takes advantage of protocol and has Gary restrained. Reg’s arrival suggests the possibility of some relief for Gary, however, Ron has categorised him as a military prisoner, and hence placed him beyond the constable’s jurisdiction.
Taking a moment to ‘question’ Gary, is seems that Ron finds himself unable to control his need to allay everyone’s fears about the war given his knowledge of the future, and so he decides to make a speech to that end, however, his natural exuberance, combined with a certain amount of alcohol, lead him to make apparently wilder and wilder claims, leading to his eventual downfall about the Chelsea team, which is just too much, and prompts the locals into regaining control from him, and handcuffing him to Gary, who announces that Ron is drunk, and a little crazy, before whisking him off to the portal.
Back at the shop, and Ron’s annoyance is apparent right from the start, however, this is eclipsed by the arrival of Yvonne, who wants to know why they didn’t turn up for the football match. One of the biggest laughs of the episode for me comes here, when Yvonne states that she doesn’t know who won the match as she was talking to someone. As Ron’s frustration reaches its limits, he resolves to return to the 40s, despite Gary’s desperate pleas, and as he attempt to enter the portal, Gary turns Yvonne away so that she won’t see it, however, Ron fails to pass through the gates, instead crashing into them, leaving Yvonne distressed that she didn’t witness that.
I’d give this episode a 95% rating. Really funny, and could be a double episode with the last one.