This was an amusing episode of the series ARE YOU BEING SERVED? that concentrated on the possibility of promotion in Grace Brothers Department Store, the class system, sexism, and reading palms. Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith) has heard that there will be an opening in the Board Room, and Rumbold may be up for that promotion. He tells this in confidence to Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton), who will probably be named to Rumbold's middle management position as floor head. Peacock's position as floor walker will be up too, and soon both Mr. Grainger (Arthur Borough) and Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden) are vying for that position, only both are crestfallen to discover that Peacock does not favor either of them: Grainger is too old, and Slocum is a woman (two points of view that are irritating to the two candidates). Peacock is also approached by Mr. Humphreys (John Inman) for the post.
In the meantime Mr. Humphrey mentions at lunchtime that he can read palms and is pretty accurate. Peacock lets him read his palm, and he sees him climbing a ladder, but also sees him at Mrs. Slocum's feet. Later he reads Rumbold's palm and does find that his career will be effected by a "t". Subsequently, these predictions do come true, though not in the way anyone can guess.
The episode has some nice touches. For example, everyone in the store knows the reason why a member of the Board is leaving - it has to do with a three bottle a day problem. Also, the conclusion shows that trusting in fortune telling may be fine, but one should always remember there are many ways to foretell the future, and that the predictions one gets from any medium can be quite murky at best.
In the meantime Mr. Humphrey mentions at lunchtime that he can read palms and is pretty accurate. Peacock lets him read his palm, and he sees him climbing a ladder, but also sees him at Mrs. Slocum's feet. Later he reads Rumbold's palm and does find that his career will be effected by a "t". Subsequently, these predictions do come true, though not in the way anyone can guess.
The episode has some nice touches. For example, everyone in the store knows the reason why a member of the Board is leaving - it has to do with a three bottle a day problem. Also, the conclusion shows that trusting in fortune telling may be fine, but one should always remember there are many ways to foretell the future, and that the predictions one gets from any medium can be quite murky at best.
