User Reviews

Alvin has moved into Compo's old place as neighbour to Nora Batty, and seems to be acting in the same or similar frivolous behaviour.

But I have to ask what happened to Compo's son, Tom's partner Mrs Avery?

After Compo passed away his son Tom had arrived in the town, replete with a Mrs Avery and neice.

They moved into Compo's home, with Tom eventually moving out onto the allotment.

And how did Alvin come to live there?

Barry has been lumbered by Glenda with a Wendell, that they had unfortunately met on holiday.

It appears that it is virtually musical chairs with the shows male characters, as to their movements around the locality.

Probably got something to do with the increasing age of actor Peter Sallis, playing the principal character Norman Clegg.

As actor Frank Thornton aged his character Trully of the Yard, appeared to spend more time round at Cleggs supping tea.

Billy (Robin Hoods descendent) vacillating from singularly endeavouring, to encourage local muffins to join his Merry Men. And joining other local barmpots such as Clegg and Trully, in playing silly beggars.

Tom being partnered with Smiler as effectively, unpaid lackies to Auntie Wainwright.

Electric Entwistle appears to have become something of a local gopher, being used by all and sundry to get them out of their holes.

In this episode Entwistle comes to the assistance of the local constabulary, when their squad car breaks down.

From this season on there is no definitive trio as Peter Sallis has a reduced role. Therefore the limelight is shared between the rest of the cast and this episode epitomize that philosophy. No story really dominates: instead the ensemble partake in a series of unconnected adventures. Alvin has problems getting an oversized lino home, Howard has difficulty concealing a periscope about his person, Barry gets lumbered with a "friend" from holiday and for good measure the policemen have car trouble. Despite the numerous storylines running concurrently it is easy to follow and flows nicely. There are some nice gags thrown in and some of the plots don't conclude until the end credits. A typical episode from this season with the cast showing some real chemistry and doing there best with a run of the mill plot.

Alvin and Howard seem to be messing around with some periscopes that they have bought from Auntie Wainwright.

Alvin has also been lumbered with a big roll of lino from Auntie Wainwright even though he only wanted a small piece for his kitchen sink.

Tom and Smiler have difficulties in delivering it. Although they manage to rip off Marina's skirt on the way.

The main focus of the episode is Wendell. Someone Barry and Glenda met while on holiday.

Wendell's wife left him for a Turkish waiter now Barry is stuck with him. Glenda did not realise that you should not mean it when you say you should stay in touch.

Wendell uses his penny whistle to try to charm the birds in the woods. The locals think he needs something bigger and more musical.

Well Wendell does manage to attract something and it has flashing lights.

Another run of the mill script from Roy Clarke but it is not without a few laughs.

There is no finer sales person on this planet than Auntie Wainwright, she's doing a line in periscopes, and sold Alvin a quantity of vinyl flooring.

Miss Davenport is just about missing the mark so far, she would become more funny when in the library, efforts to shoehorn her in to random sketches aren't perhaps working so well.

I loved Cleggy's talk about toenails, and the scene with Marina and the skirt was genuinely funny, it's been done before so many times, but it was unexpected, and those legs!

Wendell is another nutcase, I'm with that Turkish waiter all the way. Another one episode crazy person. It's good to see Alvin further integrated with the main team.

Fun, 6/10.