User Reviews

I was pleasantly surprised by this episode as it's fairly unique for that fact that it features none of the usual countryside scenes. The episode is largely studio based with a few location shots from within the centre of Holmfirth.

The storyline focuses on the various characters each having their own Christmas get togethers and we even get to see the inside Alvin's house, which marks the first time we've been inside since the property Compo lived there. You'll be pleased to know it's had a great makeover.

This is also the first episode after Keith Clifford left the series. It's a shame really because I was finally beginning to like him. Billy and Alvin had the potential to be a great double act within the show. Frustratingly his character Billy Hardcastle isn't even mentioned but to be honest he wasn't the strongest character in the show's history and would have made little impact on this episode.

Speaking of other characters. I think at this stage Barry and Glenda should have been down graded to semi regulars. As usual they add little to the main narrative. Same with Entwhistle, who still isn't getting used to his full potential.

Auntie Wainwright provides some good laughs, but it's a shame her, Tom and Smiler are always segregated from the larger ensemble. Surely Howard would consider seeing his Auntie over Christmas?

All in all a nice little episode with a different flavour.

The 2006 Christmas special is another one of these episodes which loses focus when it concentrates on Howard, Marina and Pearl. He receives a sweater from each of them and decides to wear both at the same time to keep each one of them happy with non hilarious consequences.

Not only that, the dullest middle aged couple to be played by elderly actors Barry and Glenda invite someone round for an executive dinner. Do not bother Barry, your bank or building society is likely to go bust in the next 12 months but somehow the writer will fail to reflect this dire world financial meltdown as you increasingly play golf to better your promotion prospects rather than hang on to your job by your fingernails.

It is left to Truly cooking a festive dinner and Entwistle resolving an argument with his wife to provide the laughs. There is of course Smiler and Tom having dinner with Auntie Wainwright who pulls out a big turkey and then fleeces them both over a game of cards.

It really was short on laughs, at least there was some snow.