Ranking Every Episode Of ... Only Fools and Horses

Image Source: Joke

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Following on from recapping the history of Only Fools and Horses, I will now provide my own personal rankings on every episode of Only Fools, from best to worst. Bear in mind that this is only my opinion, so it's only a first-person viewpoint, and that even the weaker episodes weren't exactly duds. Read on and see if you agree with my rankings, or if you think I'm a complete and utter plonker.

(Incidentally, if you want to read my history pieces, you can click the following links for Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.)

1. The Jolly Boys' Outing
2. Yuppy Love
3. Danger UXD
4. The Frog's Legacy
5. Tea For Three
6. Mother Nature's Son
7. The Unlucky Winner Is ...
8. Time On Our Hands
9. Happy Returns
10. Dates
11. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle
12. Strained Relations
13. From Prussia With Love
14. The Sky's The Limit
15. The Longest Night
16. Hole In One
17. Chain Gang
18. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
19. The Class Of '62
20. To Hull and Back
21. No Greater Love
22. As One Door Closes
23. It Never Rains ...
24. Who's A Pretty Boy?
25. Three Men, A Woman and A Baby
26. Stage Fright
27. Strangers On The Shore
28. Watching The Girls Go By
29. Heroes & Villains
30. Friday The 14th
31. A Touch Of Glass
32. Little Problems
33. It's Only Rock and Roll
34. The Chance Of A Lunchtime
35. Thicker Than Water
36. A Losing Streak
37. Sleeping Dogs Lie
38. The American Dream
39. The Yellow Peril
40. The Second Time Around
41. The Miracle Of Peckham
42. Oh To Be In England
43. May The Force Be With You
44. Modern Men
45. Healthy Competition
46. Sleepless In Peckham
47. Homesick
48. Rodney Come Home
49. Go West Young Man
50. Video Nasty
51. Sickness and Wealth
52. If They Could See Us Now
53. The Long Legs Of The Law
54. Christmas Crackers
55. Ashes To Ashes
56. Wanted
57. Fatal Extraction
58. A Slow Bus To Chingford
59. Yesterday Never Comes
60. A Royal Flush
61. Cash and Curry
62. Big Brother
63. The Russians Are Coming
64. Diamonds Are For Heather

Here's an in-depth look at what each episode offered, and why it received the ranking that it did.

1. The Jolly Boys' Outing

The 1989 Christmas special was phenomenal. A bucketload of classic moments, a ton of great one-liners, all with a series of plots that are interwoven excellently. The perfect Christmas special, this is also the perfect episode of comedy television, as there isn't a single thing I would change about this that could possibly make it any funnier. The greatest ever episode of Only Fools and Horses, bar none.

2. Yuppy Love

This episode is really funny, although judged on the whole Danger UXD may be the better of the two. But this sits at #2 because it has the funniest OFAH moment of all-time, where Del falls through the bar. The set-up is flawless, meaning that it has a far greater impact. Any aspiring comedy writers need to watch this episode (which also sets up the first long-term plot line as Rodney first meets Cassandra). It isn't the best episode, though ...

3. Danger UXD

The premise of the Trotters ending up with dangerous blow-up dolls is funny enough. Their sudden appearances throughout and the resultant banter provides us with a classic episode from the incredible sixth series. And we get an appearance by the humorously-titled Dirty Barry.

4. The Frog's Legacy

A vintage Christmas special, this is well-paced, has an intriguing but funny plot, boasts some great scenes as part of a side-plot, and has an ending which answers questions but raises enough that it can be revisited in the future if need be. And the first real seed is planted to explain why Del and Rodney's brotherly relationship isn't as simple as they thought. Only one special is better than this one.

5. Tea For Three

The best of the half-hour episodes, this has three massively funny aspects: Rodney's sunbed experiment gone wrong thanks to Del, Rodney getting revenge by denying Del an escape from his hang-gliding, and a superb final scene with priceless banter from Del, Rodney and Trigger. All while the two central characters attempt to woo a lady who ultimately is already engaged. Fantastic.

6. Mother Nature's Son

The 1992 special was the final episode to be truly incredible. The plot is simple; the performances are marvellous. With a plethora of fantastic lines, there are also some swerves thrown in, all of which make this a true classic.

7. The Unlucky Winner Is ...

An outstanding episode from the best ever series, Rodney being unknowingly entered into an art competition and winning, but then having to act as a teenager on holiday, leads to a barrel-load of top moments and one-liners. A must-see for OFAH fans.

8. Time On Our Hands

This has to rank in the top ten for being the long-awaited moment when the Trotters achieved their financial dreams. There's more drama with Rodney candidly addressing Cassandra's miscarriage, and still some major laughs from the visit of Raquel's parents and the moment when Del and Rodney realise they are now millionaires. And the writing of this episode is unbelievably good.

9. Happy Returns

This was a place-holder episode due to the death of Lennard Pearce, aka Grandad. But it's an outstanding show nonetheless. It's an example of one story arc branching into another, and another, with everything resolved in a logical but humorous fashion, and with some classic lines along the way.

10. Dates

The 1988 special was awesome, with several brilliant moments. It has a bit of a negative conclusion, but it's nowhere as depressing as the ending of the 1990 special, and it sets the stage for future events.

11. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle

Something of an anomaly in a series based around Del and Raquel becoming parents and Rodney attempting to get back with Cassandra, this spotlight on Albert provides some fantastic laughs and has an unexpected and hilarious climax.

12. Strained Relations

This sits so high because it manages to bring a real-life death into a comedy setting with great sensitivity and logic, but without giving this edition a depressing feel. Some big moments here are superb and totally unpredictable, and it resets the family for the future with the arrival of Uncle Albert.

13. From Prussia With Love

The plot threatens to take Del's money-making schemes to a dark place, and the ending is a bit sad. But the comedy on offer here is outstanding, and Boycie comes out with some corking one-liners.

14. The Sky's The Limit

This opened the seventh series and at times has more of a soap feel, but it's still a very funny episode with an unpredictable, yet slightly far-fetched, conclusion.

15. The Longest Night

On paper, this could easily have flatlined, since the Trotters are in one place for the entire show, with that location being a one-off, and no other regular characters make an appearance. But the story premise is simple yet executed brilliantly, the writing is fantastic, the acting by all is tremendous, and we get some major laughs, like Rodney choosing to pinch some cigarettes rather than the shoplifter Lennox Silby's gun.

16. Hole In One

The first proper episode after the passing of Grandad (since Strained Relations is more of a transitional show), Albert shows in this edition that he is more than capable of filling Grandad's show as the lovable third wheel. The plot is quite funny, the resolving of the storyline provides big laughs, and there are brilliant one-liners aplenty.

17. Chain Gang

This is ranked at #17 because of the excellent writing rather than the comedy it provides, as a few loose ends are tied up nicely in the closing scenes. That being said, it's still a funny show, and in any other series, it probably would have been the standout episode.

18. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

This could have been the last ever episode of OFAH; thank goodness that it wasn't. But if it had been, it would have gone out on a high, as we get some great exchanges between Del and both Rodney and Jumbo Mills, as well as a bit of drama thrown in as Del weighs up the potentially life-changing decision.

19. The Class Of '62

This episode, which features the return of Slater, is memorable more for some top one-liners than a massive moment, although the revelation that Slater was once married to Raquel was unexpected and sends the plot of the episode into an unpredictable yet funny direction.

20. To Hull and Back

The 1985 special is one that you either love or you hate. I personally find it to be really good, but not quite as strong as other specials. This has some great laughs in the middle portion, and the way in which various plots are tied up at the end is a testament to the careful writing of John Sullivan. Although comedy can be about some things not making sense, in this one everything happens for a reason, and everything comes to a logical end.

21. No Greater Love

The highest-ranked episode to include Grandad (though not the best which refers to him), he has a great line in this show, but this is a great show because of Del's simply brilliant one-liners about Rodney dating a 40-year-old wife of a convict. A topnotch episode, and one that I feel is underrated.

22. As One Door Closes

Once again, this is an episode that leads to a big moment, which is set up perfectly and yet seems unpredictable upon first viewing (Denzil's friendly hand-slapping is shown early on, but is completely forgotten about until his second sign of friendship at the end crushes Del's hopes of reclaiming money that he owes Denzil). A slow builder that has funny moments even before the classic scene at the end.

23. It Never Rains ...

The first half of this episode, based around a family holiday to Benidorm, has its moments, but it's the second half when Grandad recaps his previous trips to Spain whilst sat in a jail cell that make this a hilarious edition; it's probably Grandad's best overall episode from a comedy standpoint. That being said, there are still other laughs to be had, like Del addressing Juan with "(You're) just the Juan I wanted to see".

24. Who's A Pretty Boy?

Another episode which slowly builds to a big moment, this time concerning a canary, this works so well because whilst the audience is expecting one outcome (the discovery of a dead pet canary), a much funnier swerve is thrown in which still has the same result (the Trotters losing the planned business). It has another swerve at the end, too, which is a rare moment of the Trotters winning out on a business deal to close a show, as well as introducing Mike to the series.

25. Three Men, A Woman and A Baby

This ranks fairly high because it is a milestone for the Trotter family, as Del finally has a child and Rodney and Cassandra get back together. It's still a funny show, especially Del's contributions to Raquel giving birth, but it's remembered more for historical reasons.

26. Stage Fright

Like with Heroes & Villains, this is remembered for one moment: the revelation that Tony Angelino can't pronounce his R's. This is ranked higher because the big secret is hidden so well that absolutely nobody expects it until it's revealed during a live duet with Raquel. That being said, apparently if you listen closely, Tony does pronounce his R's correctly early on in the show.

27. Strangers On The Shore

The 2002 special was after the original farewell trilogy, but it's a great show in its own right. The best of the 21st century specials, the accidental exporting of "Gary", the deliberately poor set-up of the friends happening to meet up in a French store, plus the side-plots like Boycie's hair smelling of onions and Albert "putting it about" across the globe all result in a hilarious episode.

28. Watching The Girls Go By

Some people don't like this episode, but I personally find this to be really funny. There is a simple premise, and we get an example of Del willingly taking a slight financial hit to help Rodney out. It leads to a great final scene when the truth is revealed, although there are some brilliant lines along the way, from Uncle Albert explaining his romance with a nine-fingered lady to Rodney's attire reminding Albert about a game of dominoes.

29. Heroes & Villains

The episode with the Batman and Robin scene only at #29? Yes, because the moment, whilst undeniably funny, isn't quite as rib-tickling as, say, Del falling through the bar or the chandelier incident. The rest of the episode is good, but it's only remembered for this one scene, which as stated is very good, but not as good as other stand-out moments from the annals of OFAH.

30. Friday The 14th

This parody of Friday The 13th is executed almost to perfection, even if it would have been nice to find out how Del managed to escape with his life intact. (Incidentally, I was told at one point that a longer version was produced which did have a proper conclusion, but apparently that is not the case.)

31. A Touch Of Glass

Ninety percent of this episode is fair at best. But the moment when the priceless chandelier is accidentally dropped is one of the best OFAH moments ever and elevates this to a much higher standard.

32. Little Problems

The final episode of the sixth series doesn't provide as many stand-out moments as other editions from the same year, but it's very, very funny nonetheless (we get a rare Driscoll Brothers appearance here), and the ending is one of the more touching moments in Only Fools history.

33. It's Only Rock and Roll

Rodney joining an aspiring rock band, and Del's attempts to get involved in order to make a profit, sounds funnier than it actually is, but there are still some big laughs to be had from watching this, especially when Rodney calls Del's bluff on using their dying mother as an alibi to avoid conflict.

34. The Chance Of A Lunchtime

This is more about advancing the Trotter relationships than being a funny episode in itself, although there are enough humorous moments to keep fans satisfied.

35. Thicker Than Water

Although it has some gloomy or awkward moments, the episode where Del's father Reg appears includes some brilliant lines, from Del comparing Reg ("A wally with a disease") to the Three Wise Men to Grandad's belief that a hereditary condition goes backwards rather than forwards.

36. A Losing Streak

A simple premise is executed very well, as Del's attempts to defeat Boycie in a game of poker lead to a fantastic closing scene, and a good number of laughs for an episode which is lacking in one-liners.

37. Sleeping Dogs Lie

This is one of those episodes that you only recall when you're listing them in the manner that I am here. But there are some big laughs to be had as the Trotters attempt to look after Duke the dog, and it's a sign of the show's increasingly quality that one of the less-remembered episodes from the fourth series is still ranked higher than many other editions.

38. The American Dream

Part one of the Miami double-header is often forgotten, but it's actually quite funny in its own right. It sits so low because it's essentially a set-up show rather than a standalone special.

39. The Yellow Peril

Similar to May The Force Be With You, this slowly builds to the big moment where Del's scheme is discovered to go disastrously wrong. A fun episode, but certainly not the best.

40. The Second Time Around

The highest-ranked episode from the first series, this works due to the priceless banter between the Trotter trio in the second half, especially when Grandad warns Del about his breakfast going cold after it's suggested that Pauline killed her first husband by poisoning his food.

41. The Miracle Of Peckham

Del's attempts to cash in on religion are paced well, but it's a bit dull in places.

42. Oh To Be In England

Yes, the film chapter of Miami Twice only makes #42. The reason is that the production and the location disguise the fact that the episode isn't as funny as, say, The Jolly Boys' Outing. It's undoubtedly a funny show, but the length, the film-style production, the absence of a laughter track and the slightly far-fetched plot result in a special that definitely provides entertainment, but is somewhat overrated.

43. May The Force Be With You

The debut of Slater leads to one specific plotline that builds up to a big finish. Longtime fans feel that Del is uncharacteristically miserable here, which prevents it being as funny as it could have been.

44. Modern Men

Part two of the 1996 trilogy sits surprisingly low just because I'm not sure if the miscarriage aspect was really necessary. Obviously, the show has to turn more to drama with this element, so it isn't at #44 because of a lack of laughs, but I still feel that Rodney and Cassandra could have had a successful child birth at this point and nobody would have complained.

45. Healthy Competition

This has some great one-liners and a hilariously unspoken premise of Del's mate Towser keeping some money for himself off a business agreement, but Rodney seems a bit too weak when trying to compete with Del; it's as if the episode is saying that Rodney would essentially be nothing without Del, at least at this stage. It does include the classic "Wendy House" line, though.

46. Sleepless In Peckham

The 2003 special, the final ever episode, ties up some loose ends and provides some big laughs along the way. However, given the choice between ending the series with this or with Time On Our Hands, the majority would opt for the 1996 episode instead.

47. Homesick

This episode has its moments (amongst them Trigger finally calling Rodney by his proper name, but only so he can achieve an unwanted Tenants Association role), but it's not quite as good as other entries from the third series.

48. Rodney Come Home

The 1990 special has the classic scene of Albert's exaggerated reaction to Rodney dating another woman, but the storyline is rather gloomy, and although attempts are made to provide humour in the final parts, it still ends on a sad note.

49. Go West Young Man

The second episode sits fairly high, by the standards of the first series anyway, due to the great interplay once Del and Rodney begin their attempts to find romance.

50. Video Nasty

This felt out of place in a great fifth series; whilst not a poor episode, it definitely isn't as funny as the likes of From Prussia With Love or The Longest Night. Del's explanation of his film idea is hilarious, though.

51. Sickness and Wealth

The weakest entry in the classic 1989 series, the scenes with Elsie Partridge serving as a medium have some great moments, but the plot about Del's health woes and some weird banter stemming from it results in an episode of two halves, with the second half being far less funny than the first.

52. If They Could See Us Now

The 2001 special certainly isn't bad, but the combination of resurrecting Only Fools to rewrite history, which was a controversial move, and the poor acting or scripting concerning Damien leads to this one sitting fairly low on the list.

53. The Long Legs Of The Law

Rodney dating a policewoman was always bound to cause tension with Del and Grandad, resulting in an episode that provides a lot of laughs, although the ending is a bit of a downer.

54. Christmas Crackers

A decent first Xmas episode, this has some funny moments, although the final third is too similar to a superior try-to-chat-up-the-girls situation in an earlier edition.

55. Ashes To Ashes

This one is pretty funny, especially Trigger's bizarre explanation of his family ties early on. This probably would have been better in a later series, when it was more likely for a huge laugh-out-loud moment to be included. As it is, something is missing which prevents it from being a true rib-tickler.

56. Wanted

This one starts well, with Del nicknaming Rodney the "Peckham Pouncer", but it turns a bit too serious from there. The pretend accusations towards Rodney should have been relaxed a bit, because a funny first half degenerates into a dark second half as it is.

57. Fatal Extraction

This Christmas special was far from a dud, but the side-plot of Del cancelling a date with a dental receptionist and her seemingly stalking him was more creepy than funny, and the show has a slightly depressing conclusion. Is it a coincidence that so many episodes relating to Del's romantic adventures sit so far down the list?

58. A Slow Bus To Chingford

At one point, I thought this was quite funny but, when rewatching it again, the big laughs don't come very often. This is one episode where the story sounds funnier on paper.

59. Yesterday Never Comes

This is a bit dull, to be honest. The lady who Del is dating doesn't show much charisma or engage in any funny banter, nor even possess a romantic side, resulting in a duller episode than usual.

60. A Royal Flush

What brings this Christmas special so far down is the uncharacteristically nasty streak that Del possesses in the final third, which results in Rodney's romantic dreams being crushed. With a funnier conclusion, this one would have ranked a lot higher.

61. Cash and Curry

I can only recall the moment where Del catches a statue at the last second; otherwise, this early edition entirely forgettable. There are also some uncomfortably racist aspects, although this was produced in 1981, when certain expressions or mannerisms were considered acceptable.

62. Big Brother

The first ever episode had its moments, but it existed mainly to put the pieces in place and introduce the characters to the audience.

63. The Russians Are Coming

This early edition is just too slow-paced; there isn't enough going on in the second half, and the premise is a bit too daft.

64. Diamonds Are For Heather

Ironically, a Christmas episode is the lowest-ranked one, although this wasn't really a special. It is the earliest example of John Sullivan incorporating drama into OFAH, but there's almost nothing memorable about it unless you watched it again, hence why it sits at the bottom of the list.

So, they're my thoughts; what do you consider to be the best episodes of Only Fools and Horses? Leave your comments below!

The History of Only Fools and Horses - Part Four

Image Source: Joke

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Parts One, Two and Three charted the majority of the history of Only Fools and Horses. This final chapter looks at the intended final trilogy, as well as what would ultimately be a short series of comeback episodes from 2001-2003.

Christmas Specials 1996

Part one, Heroes & Villains, is remembered for one scene only: Del and Rodney running through the streets of Peckham dressed as Batman and Robin, en route to a fancy dress party. It has been played so often that, to be honest, it's lost some value to me, especially since they do little besides running to make the audience laugh. At the time, though, it was a massively funny moment, although to me it was funnier that they turned up at the party only to discover that it had now become a wake. In the meantime, we learn that Cassandra is pregnant with Rodney's first child. This was a good start to the 1996 Xmas trilogy, even if I still believe that the Batman and Robin scene is a bit overrated; it felt contrived, which was not normally the case for Sullivan's big comedy moments. Perhaps he wanted to ensure that the trilogy had at least one hugely memorable moment.

Part two, Modern Men, is a weird one. It's based around Del considering a vasectomy, in between Rodney trying to apply for a job that is ultimately his own in a fantastic scene. But then we suddenly jump to Cassandra finding out that she has had a miscarriage. Del's OTT reaction to this prevents the deeply sad occurrence being a depressing moment for viewers to watch, although we do witness genuine emotion between Rodney and Cassandra before Del flattens an unruly "patient" to at least end this episode on a positive note. I've often wondered why Sullivan felt the need to insert the miscarriage aspect, rather than allowing a birth to happen naturally. Maybe it was to give the Trotters a final setback, their biggest yet (besides Grandad's death, which was necessitated by real-life events), before going from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs in part three.

That part, Time On Our Hands, begins with Rodney breaking down in a very emotional and realistic fashion about the miscarriage before a disastrous dinner with Raquel's parents unexpectedly opens the door to Raquel's father James picking up a watch within the Trotter garage that he states has value. Little do Del and Rodney realise that the watch is valued at over £6 million, which after an auction finally makes them millionaires. These scenes are humorous yet touching, as a fifteen-year journey culminates in success for the wheeling-and-dealing Trotters. After making big purchases (Albert gets a ship, which he hilariously crashes once more), the Trotters reminisce on their life experiences before quite literally walking off into the sunset for the intended series climax.

The final chapter attracted 24.3 million viewers, an all-time record for a British sitcom, which illustrates how much OFAH meant to so many. As daft as it sounds, people were happy for the Trotters to finally reach their lifelong target, and the writing was superb; Del casually throws aside the watch early on, with not even the slightest hint that the item could be the one that makes him rich (he even makes a negative comment questioning how a watch like that would make him the millionaire he aspires to be). Only when researching this article did I discover that the seeds were planted in Heroes & Villains when Del potentially hints at the watch for the first time, which if true makes the writing even better. Best of all, with every key goal achieved for the Trotters, Only Fools could finish with dignity and be remembered as the greatest sitcom of all-time.

However, that wasn't quite the end of the story.

Christmas Special 2001

For unknown reasons (perhaps because the end of OFAH left a major gap in people's Christmas viewing schedules), by 2001 it was decided that Only Fools should be brought back. On the one hand, people felt that the 1996 trilogy provided the perfect finale, and resurrecting OFAH would tarnish its legacy. But on the other hand, some plotlines had yet to be completely resolved, and the 21st century episodes would have some more memorable moments to boast. Whatever the case, OFAH returned with If They Could See Us Now.

This episode had a lot to cover: the Trotters enjoying their new-found wealth before somehow losing it all via the Central American stock market crashing; the death of Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield had died in 1999, whilst this new script was being written), which paradoxically leads to a humorous funeral mix-up; and the Trotters looking to bounce back when Del appears on a TV gameshow entitled Gold Rush, and hosted by Jonathan Ross, with the results being somewhat underwhelming for Del and co. (By the way, Kenneth McDonald, who played Mike, also died during the five-year gap; his absence was explained by the statement that he was in prison.)

With 21.3 million viewers representing the BBC's viewing peak for the 2000s, it was clear that there remained plenty of interest in Only Fools, but the episode still dismayed many fans. It felt unnecessary, because were we now hoping for a way in which the Trotters could become millionaires again? Meanwhile, the teenager Damien simply was not funny, and almost all of his scenes were embarrassing, whether it be down to the delivery by Ben Smith or for the material provided for a modern-day teenager (well, modern by 2001 standards), which flew in the face of the sort of dialogue used by the Trotters up until this point. Add to that how the actors and actresses had seemingly aged ten years in five (Rodney was now noticeably grey), and it's understandable why many view this as a low point for OFAH.

That all being said, the episode was still funny, and fortunately for the more critical fans, the journey wasn't over yet.

Christmas Special 2002

Of the new millennium specials, the funniest was definitely Strangers On The Shore. A forgotten gem, this one saw Del and Rodney, who were now in the process of attempting to pay off a massive debt, represent Albert at a naval reunion in France. This allows Del to conduct business with the Nag's Head via Trigger, Denzil and a French beer store, but in the process they unexpectedly bring home a "tourist", who cannot speak English but simply says "Gary".

It's really funny; even if you don't care for the modern Only Fools episodes, you should check this out. It wasn't a classic, but it was the last OFAH episode which truly made me laugh from start to finish. There were also a few side-plots, such as Boycie's hair continuously smelling of onions thanks to tampering by Del, and some "revelations" from the naval reunion that Albert may have had some, shall we say, "relationships" with a number of women abroad.

Although it's never revealed in a grand fashion, we find out that Cassandra is pregnant again, which was a weird development. At the very least, shouldn't this have been a big moment, perhaps one to end the episode upon, after the miscarriage in 1996? Odd writing there; although it's possible that since a big deal was made of Cassandra originally announcing her first pregnancy only for it to go badly, it was perhaps better to make it more understated this time around.

Christmas Special 2003

The final ever episode of Only Fools (I don't count the Sport Relief mini-special in 2014 nor other brief versions of OFAH from previous years, because they simply weren't proper episodes), Sleepless In Peckham ties up a few loose ends with the Trotters' financial woes being rescued by Albert's savings, which allows them to recoup some of their lost fortunes; Rodney and Cassandra finally having their first child born successfully; and after revisiting an old plot through a recently-discovered archive photograph, the revelation that Freddie The Frog/Freddie Robdal was indeed Rodney's father, making him and Del half-brothers. We also get some side-plots like Trigger coming up with increasingly daft invention concepts, and unusual absences for Denzil and Marlene both having surprise explanations.

This was a worthy episode to go out on, since it tied up some remaining plot queries. And whilst the audience of 16.37 million viewers was smaller than that of its peak years, television had dramatically changed since the 1980s, and it still consisted of two-thirds of all British households watching TV that evening. That being said, there are still those who maintain that the show should have ended in 1996 when the Trotters became millionaires, and it's hard to disagree with them. Besides the Gary situation in the 2002 special, there was nothing in the final three episodes which was massively funny or which couldn't have been featured in the 1996 trilogy in some form or fashion. In addition, the Freddie-as-Rodney's dad revelation, which was hinted at back in the 1987 special, could have been the cliffhanger to end Modern Men on, so that Rodney and Cassandra could have had their successful child birth back in 1996, thus allowing everything to be tied up when it was originally intended. Or the situation concerning Rodney's true father could have been left open, since it still casts a bit of a shadow upon the end of the series that, in the end, Del and Rodney ultimately were only half-brothers (even if their physical differences should have been a red flag pointing towards that direction from the start).

Mind you, OFAH certainly didn't embarrass itself during its 2000s revival like some other shows have, and fortunately after the 2003 special, the door was finally closed on Only Fools and Horses, ensuring that its legacy remained intact as an all-time comedy classic. Yes, we've had the spin-offs like The Green Green Grass and Rock & Chips, and the Sport Relief special, but Only Fools in its original and true form officially ended in 2003, and it is not and should not be coming back. And it won't, because writer John Sullivan sadly died in 2011. Roger Lloyd-Pack, who played Trigger, also died in 2014, and with David Jason now approaching his late 70s, and even Nicholas Lyndhurst being in his mid-50s, the Trotter dynamic simply wouldn't work anyway. Any attempt to rekindle the magic now would prove unsuccessful, and what would be the point? There is nothing left for them to do, and adding further episodes to decreasing audiences would only hinder the show's amazing reputation.

Final Thoughts

After reliving the history of Only Fools and Horses, it's clear that there was never a complex formula into why the show was so great. The elements were simple: a strong cast of characters played by some magnificent performers who were perfect for their roles; a mixture of unpredictable comedy chaos mixed with a semblance of logic and a continuous chase for financial and romantic success; a never-ending salvo of great one-liners; some signature trademarks (the theme tune, the three-wheel van, the catch phrases or regular sayings), and an extremely careful and meticulous approach to writing, which makes the show a true titan based on the scripting alone. I enjoy the little details, like the Vicar being seen for a half-second when Del is talking to Aunt Renee about Freddie The Frog, only to offer his thoughts on Freddie later in the show; like the aforementioned flinging/discovery of the watch that would make the Trotters rich; like the deliberate patience shown before unleashing scenes designed to elicit huge laughter (such as Knock Knock, who only came to the Trotter's flat towards the end of the Albert-was-mugged episode, whereby Albert's question of "Who's there?" was unexpectedly yet logically responded with "Knock Knock"). Then there's the side-plots like Boycie and Marlene's own struggles to have a child which finally come true, like Denzil changing businesses and this never being rewritten, like the rumours about Marlene carrying on with Del that would never be proven. The show as a whole was simply brilliant. When you watch it, it's almost like you're watching family, as ridiculous as that may sound, because the nation simply fell in love with Peckham's finest.

I don't think that there will ever be another comedy show that compares to OFAH for a few reasons. Comedy has changed nowadays; although John Sullivan wrote his shows for an older audience, the material was appropriate for the family to enjoy, and you actually had jokes and you had funny situations. Nowadays, the emphasis on swearing and sexual content amongst most comedy shows means that truly funny writing is something of a lost art. It's like the stand-up comedian who spends ten minutes discussing airport struggles rather than telling you simple yet equally humorous jokes. And in this age of social media, even the funniest episodes would probably be greeted by trolling Tweeters who spread something like #CancelOnlyFools. The BBC or whomever wouldn't have the patience to commission it for years on end, never mind the 22 years that it ultimately lasted for. And those who played key roles in the show were genuinely good actors, or genuinely good comedy actors, whereas nowadays comedians play comedy roles and try to get their own style of humour over, which weakens the show as a whole. (By the way, it's interesting how, with the exception of David Jason, none of the cast ever had a role as prominent as what they enjoyed in OFAH; they starred in other programmes and films, sure, but David Jason is the only one who has other works which he can compare to that of his character in Only Fools.) Besides, would any comedy writers have the attention span, the focus on detail and the flair for writing "big moments" like John Sullivan did?

It's probable that the show did peak in the late 1980s, and perhaps it should have called it a day in 1996, if not even earlier. But unlike The Simpsons, which has dragged on for so long that it is now almost two decades past its prime, Only Fools and Horses still has its legacy intact, with a wealth of classic episodes and dozens of other editions which were still really funny, along with providing many of British television's most hilarious moments of all-time. So long as no attempts are made to "relive the good old days", that will remain the case.

There will be many new comedies in future, and some may achieve greatness, but I doubt that there will ever, ever be a better television comedy than Only Fools and Horses. Some may try, but it's unlikely that they'll succeed. Mind you, if they do, then this time next year, they really should be millionaires.

Check back tomorrow for my ranking list of every episode of Only Fools and Horses!

The History of Only Fools and Horses - Part Three

Image Source: Joke

Written By: Mark Armstrong

In Parts One and Two, I charted the beginning and rise of Only Fools and Horses. In this third chapter, I will recap what was probably the greatest ever year for the series, along with some memorable Christmas specials and the final "proper" series.

Series Six - 1989

In the past, each series consisted of stand-alone episodes, with perhaps the odd reference to a previous show here and there. In series six, however, there was one constant plotline throughout, that being the development of Rodney's relationship with Cassandra, played by Gwyneth Strong. They meet at a computer class in the first episode of the series and, by the sixth and final episode of the series, they are getting married. In the meantime, however, we were treated to arguably the greatest OFAH series ever.

Yuppy Love features a ton of great moments, none more memorable than what is probably the funniest Only Fools scene ever, as Del Boy takes a surprising tumble through a space left behind by a now-upright bar flap. This was another testament to Sullivan's first-class writing, because absolutely nobody saw it coming; it was set up so subtly, so effectively, that not a single member of the audience was expecting him to fall in this fashion. Ironically, the basis of the scene was not Del's fall but Trigger's reaction because one moment he saw Del, and the next he didn't, but because of his stupid nature, he had no idea what had happened.

Then we had Danger UXD, which was another fantastic episode as the Trotters ended up with potentially dangerous blow-up dolls, and had a great scene in itself where the dolls began to unexpectedly inflate in the Trotters' flat. Chain Gang provided fewer laughs, but was another example of Sullivan's superb writing as Del and friends' deal with a crooked jewellery salesman is resolved in brilliant fashion, with some subtle yet crucial developments along the way. Another wonderful episode came in the form of The Unlucky Winner Is ..., as Rodney is entered into an art competition to win a holiday and triumphs, except that it's for under-15s only. Cue some truly hilarious situations as the Trotters handle the consequences.

Although this series has the strongest episodes on the whole, the next edition Sickness and Wealth is one of the less fondly-remembered episodes. The scenes where the gang believe the so-called spiritual medium Elsie Partridge are funny, but the possibility that Del is ill because he has possibly caught HIV gives the episode a bit of a depressing feel, even though it is eventually revealed that he is fine and just had stomach cramps. The reference to HIV/AIDS was a bit groundbreaking by late 1980s standards, but whilst Sullivan's writing was generally strong, I and many others feel that this episode is lacking something, and is a bit dark in places. The series rebounded with Little Problems, where Rodney and Cassandra get married. Perhaps its most memorable moment comes near the end where after the wedding, Del is left alone, with Rodney no longer his little sidekick, and with his own love life still unresolved. In fact, the scene (accompanied by Simply Red's Holding Back The Years) drew many in the audience to tears. It does end with a quick scene to remind Del that Rodney will always be a "plonker", even if he no longer lives with him and Albert.

If the previous years elevated Only Fools to legendary status, this series cemented the show as an all-time great. There were so many stand-out moments either for comedic effect or for providing real drama. The performances were magnificent, the writing flawless, the comedy timing immaculate. And yet it would still get even better.

Christmas Special 1989

To me, and a large number of diehard fans, no OFAH episode was better than The Jolly Boys' Outing. A masterpiece of a Christmas special based around a trip to Margate for a whole host of male characters, this had plenty of genuinely memorable moments, such as Rodney whacking a police officer with a football, a coach blowing up, a hotel from hell which saw its windows potted, two "love-defending" attacks that ultimately proved to be blunders, two other attacks being hilariously implied and plenty more. This was an absolute classic. In my opinion, it is the ultimate Christmas special - even if, ironically, it was set in the late summer.

The writing shone via the set-up of those big moments; for example, Rodney accidentally booting a football into a policeman's face was unpredictable right up until it happened. And it continued several existing plotlines, such as the Rodney-Cassandra marriage, whilst also revisiting an old situation, since Del unexpectedly bumps into Raquel again in Margate, which plants the seeds for what would become a permanent partnership.

Some would argue that Only Fools went into decline after this. I feel that such an opinion is unfair, because the series provided some real highlights later on. I would say, though, that purely from a comedic standpoint, the peak of OFAH came via The Jolly Boys' Outing.

Christmas Special 1990

Hmm, this is a tough one to analyse. Whilst Jolly Boys' was always going to be a tough act to follow, what we received was one of the more depressing episodes in OFAH history, as Rodney Come Home was based around the crumbling of the Rodney/Cassandra marriage, with Del's attempts to help ultimately proving fatal (although it was done good-naturedly, unlike his actions four years earlier). The split situation feels uncomfortable to watch at times, and although nobody has confirmed this, I believe that Cassandra even let the F-word slip out during one such scene (which may have been edited since then). The ending feels gloomy too, as the usually-jolly music is replaced with a tune which has a more sombre tone. That being said, there are still a good number of laughs to be found, and Albert trying to act surprised at Rodney dating another girl is so funny that even David Jason is visibly laughing.

As a Christmas special, it must have been a bit of a downer - but what John Sullivan was really doing was preparing the lead plotline for what would be the final proper series for the show.

Series Seven - 1991

The series-long storyline was of Rodney and Cassandra trying to rekindle their romance which, after several bumps in the road, they finally do in the last episode. Along the way, we have The Sky's The Limit (where Del finds ownership of a fairly important satellite dish), The Chance Of A Lunchtime (where Raquel auditions for a play), Stage Fright (Del has Raquel sing alongside a performer who, unbeknownst to Del, has a speech impediment), The Class Of '62 (where Slater reappears and, after surprisingly using the C-word to describe his father - although this is never audible on the show - it is revealed that he used to be married to Raquel), He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle (Albert is mugged, or so he tells the Trotters) and Three Men, A Woman and A Baby, where Raquel gives birth to Del's first child. Yes, Del becomes a father, with Raquel announcing her pregnancy in the second show (hence why she can't accept the acting role). The child is named Damien, which begins a recurring theme of Rodney being spooked by the potentially devilish child. Beforehand, Trigger hilariously suggests that the kid will be called "Rodney, after Dave".

By now, Rodney is no longer really part of Del's trading "team", although he loses his current role by accident and sees his life take a bit of a dip before properly reconciling with Cassandra. Del too focuses more on his personal life than business, although he keeps his business options open, for instance by selling doorbells that play multiple national anthems.

The standout episodes in this series are fewer, as the show now felt more like a soap, albeit a very funny one, and with the laugh-out-loud moments playing second fiddle to the relationship aspects. But there are still some memorable moments during this series, with the biggest (from a comedy standpoint) probably being the revelation that Tony Angelino can't pronounce his R's, which is only discovered during a live performance alongside Raquel. Another example of John Sullivan's fantastic writing, since his speech impediment isn't event hinted at beforehand, resulting in a greater impact when the truth comes out.

Christmas Specials 1991 

From a production standpoint, Only Fools peaked with the 1991 double-header Xmas special Miami Twice, with the first, more traditional episode (The American Dream) setting up a second show that has more in common with a movie (Oh To Be In England) which details the Trotters' adventures in America. Although this was all really entertaining, the latter part was definitely a bit drawn out, and whilst the concept that Del was being mistaken for a Mafia boss was humorous, was it a bit too far-fetched, and perhaps a sign that the show was losing some steam? After all, with the relationships now firmly established, the only remaining goal was financial glory, which wasn't even hinted at throughout Miami Twice. Maybe it's just me being a sucker for the more traditional episodes, but whilst they are unquestionably funny, the two parts here couldn't compare to, say, Jolly Boys' Outing or The Frog's Legacy from a comedic standpoint. Just my opinion.

Christmas Special 1992

Perhaps my feelings were shared by others, because the following Christmas special (Mother Nature's Son) went back to basics, with a traditional episode structure based around Del's latest money-making scheme: via an old allotment owned by their late Grandad (nice hark back to the past there), Del finds a way to sell tap water in bottled form, under the name Peckham Spring. This is another episode where the story is funnier than any particularly big incidents, although there are a lot of laughs to be had from such moments as Trigger saying that a 24-hour depo was closed at night, and the bottled water turning a mysterious colour at night. It also includes Albert's funniest "During the War" story involving a kamikaze pilot.

Although the remaining episodes were far from poor, this was arguably the last truly great show in terms of consistently providing big laughs.

Christmas Special 1993

Fatal Extraction sees Del and Raquel temporarily split as a result of Del's increasing gambling habits. They later reconcile, but a planned date by Del with his dentist leads to a sticky situation as the episode ends. Like Mother Nature's Son, this has a series of funny moments rather than the leading plotline being massively hilarious, but although some instances are laugh-out-loud (like Del, under anaesthetic, remarking he'll "sit here", with his speech slurring to come out with something completely different), the episode as a whole feels too long, and feels a bit grim in places. To me, once Del and Raquel are back together, the episode should have ended; carrying on the dentist aspect was unnecessary and even at times creepy, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion. It's not without merit, but Fatal Extraction is not exactly considered to be a classic Christmas special by diehard fans.

Once again, Sullivan at this point had plans for this to mark the end of the series as a whole. It actually looked to be that way for a little while, with 1994 and 1995 not having any episodes (this was the longest gap between episodes since the series first began in 1981). Maybe the crew believed that the show had peaked in the late 1980s, and with the relationships having nowhere else to go from a comedic point of view, and with the actors aging (David Jason was in his 50s by this point, and he had only recently become a father in the show), some situations weren't quite as believable. No longer was Del Boy a young happy-go-lucky tradesman; he was getting old, not massively so but old nonetheless, and even Rodney was no longer the youthful figure that he was originally cast as. Mind you, could such a legendary series end with arguably the weakest Christmas special in seven years?

Fortunately, the decision was made to revisit Peckham in 1996 with a trio of specials, which would culminate in the Trotters finally achieving their lifelong dream.

Check back tomorrow for the final part!

The History of Only Fools and Horses - Part Two

Image Source: Joke

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Having tackled the first few years of Only Fools and Horses in Part One (which you can read by clicking here), next we move onto some of the greatest years in the history of Only Fools - although this period began on a sad note.

Series Four - 1985

Episode one - Happy Returns, where Rodney dates the daughter of one of Del's old flames - briefly refers to the Grandad character being in hospital. In reality, actor Lennard Pearce died during production of this series, with some scenes shot for a later episode (which would be refilmed). To handle the situation, John Sullivan wrote a moving yet ultimately funny and productive episode entitled Strained Relations, where the Trotters openly acknowledged the real-life death, albeit referring to Grandad the character rather than Lennard the actor. It was so effective that David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst were in tears filming the scenes, but there were still moments of laughter to be had, such as a priceless mix-up involving Grandad's hat and his coffin, and the humorous methods used for the introduction of Grandad's replacement, Uncle Albert (played by Buster Merryfield). Although Grandad provided great comic foil for Del and Rodney, Albert was arguably even funnier and certainly a more loveable figure in the long run, with his recounts from "During the War" being show highlights on their own at various points going forward. Of greater note, though, was how Sullivan managed to weave a real-life death into a situation comedy, and pull it off so well and so tastefully that the show never missed a beat, and paid a fitting tribute to Lennard in the process.

Hole In One is the first true post-Grandad episode, although as stated Lennard had filmed scenes for this prior to his death. This episode, where Albert falling down a hole at the Nag's Head provides a financial opening for the Trotters, had some great moments as did Happy Returns, to be fair. It's Only Rock and Roll (where Rodney joins an aspiring rock band), Sleeping Dogs Lie (where the Trotters babysit Boycie and Marlene's Great Dane dog Duke; this features the first appearance for Marlene, played by Sue Holderness), Watching The Girls Go By (where Mickey Pearce bets Rodney that he can't get a date for an upcoming party) and As One Door Closes (where the Trotters chase a rare butterfly) all have their moments, too; at this point, every episode was of a high standard, with either a major laugh-out moment (like Denzil crushing Del's butterfly in the final episode) or generally strong interplay between the characters in each edition. That the series had rebounded from Grandad's death and was arguably better than ever before is a testament to Sullivan's writing and the acting performances by all involved, perhaps none more so than Buster Merryfield, who easily filled the void left by the now-absent Grandad.

Christmas Special 1985

The first Christmas episode to have a significantly longer running time, To Hull and Back had a basic plot: the Trotters were helping Boycie and his associates to pull off a clandestine deal involving the smuggling of diamonds from Amsterdam. Due to its length and the lack of a laughter track from a studio audience, not everybody is a fan of this edition, which is understandable. For longtime fans, though, this is one of the stronger episodes due to the carefully-constructed plot which ties up several story arcs in an extended series of closing scenes, as well as some hilarious banter between the Trotters prior to and during their trip to the Netherlands. A side-plot where truck driver Denzil thinks that Del is following him across Europe is perfectly executed, as is a scene where the Trotter trio mistakenly believe that a secret policeman is chasing them through Amsterdam. This also includes the return of Slater, and his involvement has a surprise twist - or so he thinks. Hmm ...

This one is down to taste for the reasons mentioned earlier, but it stands as a perfect example of John Sullivan's well-planned writing of the show, with close attention to detail. As the first feature-length episode, this was the beginning of a new era for OFAH, where lengthy Xmas specials would become the norm and define Only Fools as the show to watch over Christmas.

Series Five - 1986

The fifth series contained some really funny episodes; on offer here were From Prussia With Love (Del looks to cash in on a pregnant German lady; incidentally, this was originally planned for series four but was postponed due to Grandad's death necessitating the Strained Relations episode), The Miracle Of Peckham (Del orchestrates a "miracle" at his local church"), The Longest Night (the Trotters are unexpectedly caught up in a shoplifting sting), Tea For Three (an apparent love triangle between Del, Rodney and Trigger's niece Lisa), Video Nasty (Rodney is writing a screenplay with Del looking to cash in), and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (not the quiz show; Del is offered a chance to achieve his financial dreams in Australia by old pal Jumbo Mills).

There were some absolute gems across this series, particularly Tea For Three which features the famous Del-Boy-forced-to-go-hang-gliding scenario and the resultant chaos that stems from it. The Longest Night was also a treat and a rare episode filmed away from Nelson Mandela House. In fact, the only low points were The Miracle and Video Nasty, which only provided occasional laughs, but even they were of a much higher standard than episodes from the first few series'. Only Fools had probably achieved legendary status already by this point, but it could have ended here: originally, David Jason planned to leave after series five, hence the plotline where he was going to start afresh in Australia. Only when he reconsidered was Del's last-minute decision to remain in the UK written into the story. Whilst the show continued, this would be the final "regular" series, as all episodes going forward would last 50 minutes or longer, in the case of Christmas specials.

Christmas Special 1986

A Royal Flush sees Rodney somehow end up dating a Duke's daughter, with Del "helping" him to fit in. This also played before no laughter track, although an edited version released in 2004 did include audience reactions to the on-screen happenings.

Although this episode has its moments (in particular, Del's unwittingly annoying behaviour at an opera show is hilarious), hardcore fans of the show do not like this one at all. This is mainly due to the final third, where Del, in a drunken state, humiliates Rodney at a posh dinner gathering. Whereas Del would occasionally dash Rodney's dreams without realising it or in a comedic fashion, here it felt a bit too cruel; as if he was out solely to ruin Rodney's chances. The Del character does explain the potential consequences of Rodney remaining in the relationship at the end, which perhaps justifies how he acted, but it wasn't enough to satisfy fans who felt that Del was just too nasty, leaving Rodney as a harshly-treated victim. In fact, even John Sullivan agreed; for the 2004 version, some of Del's dinner table behaviour was cut out, because it portrayed the character in a really negative light.

Not that the core audience minded: a whopping 18.8 million people watched A Royal Flush when it aired, almost double what the show was achieving in its early years. That being said, feedback was negative overall, at least compared to previous episodes.

Christmas Special 1987

For the next couple of years, Only Fools would only appear on our tellies as a Christmas special, and the next one was a true classic for longtime fans to savour. The Frog's Legacy revealed that there was hidden gold which would make the Trotters extremely wealthy, only for the chase to be much tougher than Del and folk had envisioned. There is also a side-plot where Rodney unknowingly gets a side job as a chief mourner, and it is implied that the brotherly bond between Del and Rodney is not so straightforward (although this wouldn't be addressed again for a very long time).

This is less about the laugh-out-loud moments (although the funeral march being led by Rodney is hilarious) and more about the one-liners and generally funny banter shared by almost all of the characters. The plot is easy to follow and takes some funny turns along the way. If anything, this episode is as strong an example of John Sullivan's writing as any, since a number of story arcs are handled with patience and care, and are effectively interwoven at various points. Even though the episode ultimately does not resolve the leading plotlines, the door is left open for the series to come back to said situations in future.

It's interesting that at one point the introduction of Freddie The Frog/Freddie Robdal, and his relationship with the Trotters, was meant to help bring OFAH to an end, the second time an exit strategy had been officially planned. Was Sullivan tired of writing or did he believe that the series had peaked? Or did he believe the original director Ray Butt, whose involvement ended with this episode, when he stated that the series had passed its best and should be brought to a climax? Whatever the case, it's fortunate that Only Fools continued, because its greatest moments were arguably still to come, even if the focus of the show would change in future.

Christmas Special 1988

Although it was always a running plot that the Trotter lads were unsuccessful with finding true love, it never cancelled out their chief aim of becoming millionaires. However, Dates marked the beginning of a new era for OFAH, whereby landing the loves of their lives was equally as important, if not more so, than achieving financial success. This subtle shift began here with an episode that saw both Trotters re-enter the dating game; Rodney, by dating barmaid Nervous Nerys, and Del by using a dating website after Trigger unexpectedly found success in the same way.

Neither brother achieved much in the long-run in that department here, but there were still plenty of laughs, from Rodney's daft tough-guy attire for his date with Nerys to Del's misguided belief that he had been set up in the Nag's Head by a strip-o-gram. Of greatest note was how Del's dating fling here with Raquel (Tessa Peake-Jones) would ultimately be the first step towards finding his permanent life partner, or his "significant other" as he would later put it. Although there are a lot of laughs to be found here, there is also a focus on drama, especially with the end being Raquel thinking that Del had no-showed a date (he was actually arrested for the Nag's Head incident). The soul of the show ensured, however, that viewers still left with a smile on their face, and the writing was of such a high standard that everything happened for a reason, and everything was written down to the fines detail to ensure the "correct" reaction was achieved.

Rodney's dating adventure was also unsuccessful, but his romantic fortunes would change in the next series, the first for several years.

Check back tomorrow for Part Three!

The History of Only Fools and Horses - Part One

Image Source: Joke

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Only Fools and Horses is probably the greatest British sitcom of all-time, if not the greatest comedy show ever period. A moderately-sized group of recurring characters with the central figures having a consistent and clear goal - to somehow become millionaires one day - along with topnotch comedy material, fantastic comedy acting and outstanding writing all combined for a superb television series. It was a slow starter, it has to be said, but it soon evolved into a real gem of a programme, and at its peak, OFAH was responsible for some of the greatest British television moments in history.

In the beginning of a multi-part series of articles, I'll have a closer look at the history of the series on-screen, reminiscing on the many highs and occasional lows of Only Fools and examining why it was just so damn good.

Series One - 1981

The first series consisted of half-hour episodes, broadcast just before prime time on BBC 1. Back then, there were only a small number of television channels, so the high ratings for this opening series should be taken into context. The series itself had the following episodes: Big Brother (where Del Boy and Rodney have a dispute concerning dodgy briefcases), Go West Young Man (the Trotters sell a used car, which comes back to bite them after they go clubbing and miss out on a potential double date), Cash and Curry (Del arranging a business deal at the expense of two disputing Indian businessmen), The Second Time Around (Del rekindles a romance with old flame with a nasty streak named Pauline), A Slow Bus To Chingford (Del sets up a tourist bus operation, with Rodney also employed as a night watchman) and The Russians Are Coming (where the Trotters prepare for a potential nuclear war). There was also the first Christmas special, Christmas Crackers, where a disastrous Christmas dinner cooked up by Grandad led to the Trotters going out on the town.

Ask any longtime OFAH fan, and they'll tell you that these were amongst the weakest episodes of the show's entire run. Which is no surprise: the show would come on leaps and bounds in the future, and certain integral characters were yet to be introduced. What's more, whilst David Jason quickly settled into the role of Del Boy - a wheeler and dealer not too dissimilar, but far funnier, than Harry Redknapp - the Rodney character played by Nicholas Lyndhurst was more annoying and confrontational at this point. Part of his charm was frequently disagreeing with Del, but at this point Rodney was clearly playing second fiddle to Del (as evidenced by the layout of each plot). Grandad (played by Lennard Pearce) played his understated role well, in the episodes where he featured (some early episodes only included Del and Rodney from the Trotter clan). But things were clearly still being ironed out for the show, as evidenced by the original instrumental theme being very different from the tune which would become the show's signature a little further down the line. Some aspects are put in place early on, though: for instance, the brilliantly dumb Trigger (played by Roger Lloyd-Pack) calls Rodney "Dave" from episode one onwards (which apparently stemmed from Roger getting names wrong during initial rehearsals). Incidentally, in a side note, David Jason was not the original choice to play Del Boy; Jim Broadbent was, who would later play Slater.

The main reason why these episodes are less fondly remembered, though, is that the plots weren't quite as funny as those which would come later, and some shows were a bit of a chore to sit through (like Cash and Curry and The Russians Are Coming). And while each episode usually has at least one truly funny moment, the memorable aspects of these early episodes were just highlights of those particular shows, rather than highlights of the series as a whole. Really, only the interplay between the Trotter brothers and the people they encountered in the various clubs in episode two and the verbal exchanges between the Trotter trio regarding the revived relationship between Del and Pauline are truly worth watching, at least from a comedy standpoint. The Christmas episode was the best of the bunch, but even this paled in comparison to later such editions. The episodes still had their moments besides these, but few people will go out of their way to watch these early shows for anything other than curiosity purposes.

The audience at the time agreed, since the viewing figures were disappointing, and the general feedback was only above average at best. In fact, the show was at danger of being cancelled, but strong ratings for repeat showings led to a second series, which ultimately set the show on the right track.

Series Two - 1982

Some of the early gems of OFAH came from series two, which featured the following episodes: The Long Legs Of The Law (Rodney dates a policewoman and brings her back to the flat, which contains all sorts of hooky gear), Ashes To Ashes (the Trotters end up with what appeared to be the ashes of Trigger's grandfather in an urn), A Losing Streak (Del consistently loses to Boycie, played by John Challis, in poker games, leading to a major game at the Trotters' flat in Nelson Mandela House), No Greater Love (Rodney tries the dating game again, this time dating an older lady whose husband is currently imprisoned), The Yellow Peril (the Trotters unwittingly paint the inside of a Chinese restaurant with illuminous paint), It Never Rains ... (the trio holiday in Benidorm before Grandad is unexpectedly arrested) and A Touch Of Glass (the Trotters are hired to clean chandeliers in a posh mansion).

The quality of the series was higher during this series, with the trademark wit of Del coming to the fore more often, especially when criticising Rodney for dating a woman in her 40s in episode four, as well as the increasingly-funny exchanges between the Trotter clan as a whole in such situations as Grandad explaining how he ended up in a Spanish prison for crimes apparently committed in the 1930s. Meanwhile, there were more "moments" to truly savour, not least the "chandelier" drop in the final episode, often considered one of the very best OFAH moments ever. As well as establishing certain characters as integral figures, such as Boycie, we also had signs of writer John Sullivan's attention to detail and his excellent foreshadowing of upcoming incidents; for instance, the two-headed coin in A Losing Streak leads to funny results on its own, but then provides a hilarious conclusion.

The only downer was the Christmas special Diamonds Are For Heather, which saw Del pursue his own romantic wishes. It wasn't terrible, but it featured less comedy and more drama as it marked the first of several episodes where John Sullivan demonstrated how he could create genuine emotion in a comedy setting; however, it wasn't quite as effective here as it would be in future editions. This was only a minor issue, though, as the ratings were higher for series two across the board, as was the general feedback as a whole.

Only Fools and Horses would definitely be sticking around, then - but few realised just how legendary it would become.

Series Three - 1983

The third series also had some pretty memorable moments. Homesick (Rodney becomes chairman of the Tenants Association, which Del tries to exploit to earn a new home; this, by the way, is the only episode where Trigger calls Rodney by his proper name, albeit only after Rodney corrects him), Healthy Competition (Del and Rodney compete for business, only to eventually reunite; this includes the debut of Mickey Pearce, Rodney's on-off friend, played by Patrick Murray), Friday The 14th (the Trotters' fishing trip takes an unforeseen turn when they learn that an axe murderer is on the loose), Yesterday Never Comes (Del dates an antique dealer, whose true intentions are unknown to Del), May The Force Be With You (old enemy, but series debutant, DCI Roy Slater - played by the aforementioned Jim Broadbent - arrests the Trotters for stealing a microwave), Wanted (where Del leads Rodney to believe that he'll be prosecuted after an incident with a lady, nicknaming him the "Peckham Pouncer"), Who's A Pretty Boy? (the Trotters think they've killed a pet canary for Denzil, played by Paul Barber and making his first appearance here, when decorating his kitchen; Mike, the Nags Head barman played by Kenneth MacDonald, also debuts here) and the Xmas special which was shown only days after the series ended, Thicker Than Water (where the Trotters' estranged father Reg reappears for one episode only).

By now, the formula of slowly building to a big laugh-out moment and/or a major climax was firmly in place, from the revelation that Rodney squandered his set-up business deal in episode two, to the reveal of who really stole the microwave in episode four, to the clearing up of the canary incident in episode seven. The one-liners and quick wit by all were now a series trademark, including that of Rodney whose character was now an asset rather than the nuisance it initially was. Good examples included the scaremongering between the Trotters concerning the axe murderer and the dialogue between Del and Reg and his reactions to the father's return in the Christmas show. Grandad's "Wendy House" crack in episode two was intended to be a quick one-liner in the second episode of the series, but the audience reaction was so loud and prolonged that this became one of the highlights of the third series.

The series had now become a BBC favourite for viewers, as evidenced by viewing figures and overall feedback. But tragedy would strike prior to series four, which would strangely provide John Sullivan with a chance to make a groundbreaking episode.

Check back tomorrow for Part Two!