"No Greater Love…"

11th November 1982

Rodney is "23 and a half". This episode was broadcast in November 1982. However, Rodney was "23" in "Big Brother" which was broadcast in September 1981, so this episode must be set in March 1982, a bit earlier than broadcast. Del seems to be operating a ‘pay per week’ system of collecting money for the goods he sells. Mickey Pearce is mentioned, and Julie the Ginger Barmaid (from "The Pirate Planet") is still working at the Nags Head.

Irene McKay is married to Tommy and has a son, Marcus. Monkey Harris lives in a bungalow.

"It’s Que Sera Sera, as the French say," reckons Del. But isn’t that actually the correct usage of the term?

Rodney’s over-sized camel hair coat. Irene’s manky blouse and skirt combo.

Del orders a Tia Maria and pineapple in the Nags Head. Quite subdued by his standards…

A month ago, Rodney was dating "Margarette" from the Dry Cleaners. During the course of this episode he meets Irene, his first love, and another (rather younger) bit of totty at the end. Zoe from the Roller Disco is also mentioned. He’s got stamina at least!

A really great exchange between Rodney and Irene when they first meet:

"You’d better tell me your name."
"Rodney."
"Irene."
"No, Rodney!"

(Irene meets Rodney when he’s wearing his large overcoat):

"I hope you don’t mind me asking… have you been ill lately?"

Also a lot of very witty dialogue on the subject of the age gap between Irene and Rodney:

"Let ‘em stare! That sort of thing doesn’t bother me Irene. I went out with a Chinese girl once!"

"He’s fallen in love with somebody who’s got the vote this time!"

and, best of all, Grandad chipping in when Del says Irene is even too old for him:

"Well, I’d have to think twice!"

Well stone me! Tommy McKay turns out to be none other than… David Daker! Of "The Time Warrior" and "Nightmare of Eden" fame.

A great little episode. Interestingly, the business with the coats slightly foresees the raincoats Rodney and Cassandra would one day swap, and the device of Del getting beaten up to protect his brother would again be used in the Driscoll Brothers episode. Despite the whole episode being about her, Irene is only actually in one scene here.