Fletcher and Mackay actually did like each other, and although they were from opposite worlds, they had a mutual respect, It was a lovely touch and the only way to say goodbye to Porridge and hello to Going Straight , And the brilliant writing reversed roles for Fletcher and Mackay - And Gobder and Fletcher . Just watching this happen on the train was an evolution of fantastic writing and a wonderful conclusion. Words are hard to find and harder to justify.
Much of the character's respect for each other came from the episode where Mackay was replaced by a sadistic senior prison guard. When Mackay returned, Fletch led a tribute to Mackay by singing ''For he's a jolly good fellow''. Mackay was hard, by the books..but never cruel.
Love this T.V series proper old school really appreciate the people who put all these old fashioned T.V series on RU-vid for everyone to watch thank you very much from Mr Ben Golby
The stoicism of being British summed up to perfection with the buffet car scene. Always having an answer for what lies ahead; Fletch & Mackay, all our yesterdays. Golden times.
Agree. Far and away the most under-rated sitcom of the 20th century in the UK. Far from being a 'Porridge spin-off', this is a great, great show. This episode, of course, has great two-hander scenes for Barker and McKay, two brilliant comic actors at the top of their game. Plus, always a joy to see the great Milton Johns, a stalwart of BBC comedy/drama.
@@peterowen9183 absolutely. The scene in episode one on the train where flectcher says there is no great organisation when you retire is genius . Puts them both on a level playing field . Very humbling .
Although Going Straight was good, I feel that this episode was the only one which retained the magic of Porridge. The last scene between Mackay and Fletcher is a real lump in the throat moment.
I think it transitioned into it's own thing quite well. It's just unfortunate that Beckinsale passed away when he did. Going Straight was a roaring success, but they (quite commendably) didn't want to go on without him.
Exactly, if you look at the ratings, it was a perfect success, but it getting cut short due to Beckinsale's death is what makes people mistake it for failing.
Going Straight was reasonable. But I think Barker himself said that people preferred Fletcher as the big fish in a small pond, a bit of a winner in prison. In this show he was a little bit of a loser. I think it was a mistake to not introduce any of the new supporting cast in episode 1.
@@Muesliman467 Spot on. Fletcher was at his best winning little victories against the system. He didn't really thrive on the outside - which, when you think about it shows the extraordinary quality of the characterization. That is the reason why he kept getting caught and sent to prison in the first place - it was the only place where he could really be a success in his life.
Great stuff. Haven't seen this for 40 years since it was first broadcast. A pity one of the digital TV stations doesn't show it . They're always showing Porridge after all. Can't believe only 11000 views of this.
First time I ever saw this show (I have never watched Porridge either). I did not expect much - other than good acting. I was VERY surprised. This was rather funny and very entertaining. With a nice ending. Thank you for posting this. ☮
Reminded me of my dear old Dad - he was from Edinburgh and he used to deport himself like Fulton McKay in this role... he was with the Royal Artillery in Korea...
Fulton appeared in an episode of "Z Cars" called "Breakage" as an oddball drifter. A funny, poignant performance far removed from the martinet he played in "Porridge".
Not bizarre at all. Mere coincidence, made more trivial if you happen to look up what has happened on that day throughout history. The same day as when William Wallace lead the Scots to victory against the English, for example. Twice as many deaths as the event to which you refer. Or, how about 9AD when Germanic Barbarians ambushed and crushed the Romans causing as many as 20,000 losses by destroying three entire legions, six auxiliary cohorts and three cavalry squadrons. Two amongst dozens of events that have happened on that day. 356 to 1 odds of something happening are not all that long in the general scheme of things.
Every generation has suffered cost of living... And as for the September 11th comment , it was his date of imprisonments.... No tinfoil hate or conspiracy@@IanGammer-vj9cb
The heartbreaking fact when you reach your middle 50’s is that all those greats who made you laugh from being young are no longer with us. Nothing is ever the same and I mourn and yearn for the past.
It would be seen as racist in today's silly over the top political correctness that we live under. Surly being able to laugh about our difference's without any malice is better. Be proud of who we are it's the difference's between us all that is our strength.
15:45, onwards, Fletcher Hits the Nail on the head, dead and square ⬛️ accurate to the dot with his little truthful spiel their, Wish alot of my older AGM members seen a bit of light shown now and again, but obviously they will be forever stuck in their ways from now until they go, i guess. They do mean well though.😊
sigh, British Rail, sure the sandwiches were shit but it was dirt cheap and got you to where you wanted. Unlike today where there is little British left in our entire economy.
Maybe that's an easter egg for the dedicated fan. A little jibe back at him and his "Oh, I know it all" attitude. First I've seen of it, so it skipped me by, but you snagged it and could have a little chuckle.
I appreciated that they used rhyming slang without stopping to give me an "aren't we clever" explanation. Or worse, explain each one as it comes along. I always felt that if you had to explain every rhyme, then your hip cool argot really is ten feet of anaconda.
The movie Porridge was filmed there while it was being renovated after a fire, but the series Itself was filmed in the watertank at elstree studios (emptied of water obviously) as it was the only studio tall enough to build a 3 story set in! (From IMDB) The BBC production team had planned to film Porridge in a real prison. However, before filming began the Home Office refused, so the BBC improvised. They used the main gatehouse of former St Albans Prison at Victoria Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire as the main gate of "Slade Prison". The Gatehouse is now St Albans Register Office. Slade Prison's metal walkways and communal area were filmed in a large metal tank at Elstree Studios. The huge tank was previously used for underwater filming however the BBC converted it into the two floor 'prison' seen in the programme. External scenes at "Slade" (e.g. the rooftop strike, exercise ground) were filmed at various London psychiatric hospitals. Most other interior scenes (e.g. Fletcher's cell) were filmed at BBC Studios.
Actors don't have that charisma and timing anymore, it's all 'looks' now and juddering, swaying visuals and CGI and multiple editing, frenetic and unrelenting. Viewers these days just don't have the concentration to cope with a dramatic 'piece'.
Exactly why I've returned to watching vintage sitcoms like this, with legendary comedy actors like the late Ronnie Barker. So much better than today's crap.
It's not the viewers. It's what they're being fed. Even when writers cook up good jokes, cast and crew don't seem to get the humor enough to convey it. It makes me kind of ill.
@@probablecausetocheckhard-drive I'm a black man and I agree with you. There's no longer a generally proportional showing of different races on the telly. This is thanks to the philosophy of Critical Race Theory (CRT) being taught in schools...especially here in the U.S. where I've been living for nearly 30 years (Born and raised in the U.K.) CRT isn't about the promotion of different races, but the extermination of the traditional WASP culture (White Anglo Saxon Prostestant) which includes the extermination of Conservatism, common-sense logical thinking and Patriarchy or male headship of the father in the family unit and of men in general.
couldn't have said it better myself lad and *does anyone know of a working sky recharger for nowtv passes?* tired of using youtube as my main source of entertainment
@@barrymcguire7124 Godber aka Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 age 31 of a heart attack (his daughter is Underworld and Van Helsing star Kate Beckinsale)
Honestly, I think it ended perfectly, a second series would have perhaps ruined it. Fletcher HAD to really go through the trials and tribulations of living an honest life from scratch, without cheating his way, and the reflection of prison life from within the pet shop reminded him in the end that it always ends the same way and that he really had to commit this time.
It would not surprise me at all if a senior prison officer were to shake the hand of a departing prisoner and wish him luck. I’m sure it’s not commonplace, but even within that environment there has to be a degree of mutual respect by a percentage of prisoners and prison staff even if that percentage may be small. What Fletch said about there being relatively few prisoners aged over 35 was certainly true in those days, with the exception of long term prisoners sentenced when younger and still In prison, the likelihood of ending up in prison fell dramatically with age, the vast majority of all crime being committed by 15-26 year old men. Many criminals, even repeat offenders, do actually grow out of it and literally go straight.. however, and this is very important, in the 60s and 70s ex-prisoners could turn over a new leaf and find employment much easier than today because jobs were not vetted for criminal records as they are today. In real life a prisoner who served as long as fletch even in the 60s would still have his convictions held against him when applying for many jobs, as his record would remain until he reaches 99 years old even if his last sentence began in 1974.
26p a pint of beer, retirement at 55. A lot can happen in forty years. I last brought a pint some years ago and it was over £5 then, I can't imagine how much it is now. As for retirement at 55, my dear old mother is 68 and still has to work every day with no hope of ever actually retiring.
I paid £7.50 for a pint at the Oval cricket ground a couple of years back. Didn't even enjoy it, although the taste was probably soured by how much lighter my wallet was.
Brilliant episode and great acting, genuine shame only six were made. RIP those from this series who have passed away, they don't make quality television like this too often nowadays.
My father's immortal words of advice: "It'll never win a third time; pick a different one." Oh, well! I saw him in the street once, in Ayr. I suppose they were taking him down to the beach or something for exercise before a meet. Unmistakable and a very handsome animal.
I remember people going on and on about Morecambe and Wise and endless tributes to Les Dawson after he died. Yes they were great but Ronnie Barker was always my comedy hero. And I much preferred The Two Ronnies to Cannon and Ball, Morecambe and Wise, Little and Large and all the others.
