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"Happy Returns" 21st February 1985
Rodney’s having a relationship with "the first girl that ever meant something to me", Debbie from the paper shop. But there’s history between her mum Junee and one Del Trotter…
This is the first episode where the title sequence changes slightly: Grandad has been taken out, although the episode itself carries on as if he’s simply A.W.O.L, in hospital ill.
"Alby" Littlewood was Del’s best friend (he says they were "like blood brothers"). Junee is an old flame of Del’s. They met in 1964, became engaged and then broke up in September 1965, when Junee left suddenly – this was nineteen years ago [so like other episodes that refer to past dates, this is set when it was filmed, rather than screened i.e September 1984]. Alby died just before this time, when his bike touched a live railway track on his way to a romantic liason with Junee behind Del’s back. Del saw Junee at Alby’s funeral "just before" she left. Junee is "back on the estate" according to Trigger. He remembers her from years before. Junee now has a daughter, Debbie, conceived to Alby just before he died, and a son, Jason. It’s not clear who Jason’s Dad is – Junee’s current husband has been in prison for "stealing some watches", and is due out in 6 months. She’s been married to him for seven years [perhaps she married him when she fell pregnant with Jason, a coda to her experiences with Alby Littlewood, she wanted to get it right this time]? Young Jason refers to a coloured child as "his brother" but Junee doesn’t seem aware of him, so it could be a afro-Caribbean term (my brother as in "my homie")! Del was seeing Alby Littlewood’s girlfriend Deidre 19 years ago. Grandad is "not too fit" and in hospital having tests done on him. It’s never explained what’s wrong with him, Del mentions "X-rays" [but this might be just to set up the joke about the strained wallet!]. Rodney buys "adult art magazines". Del has a Sheena Easton LP, and Rodney a Duran Duran one (though he doesn’t bring the actual record to play to Debbie, having other idea’s about how they can entertain themselves!). Mickey Pearce is learning Akido at evening school, and is more than 19.
"Pot pourii!"
Del names the famous block of flats where the Trotter’s live for the first time – Nelson Mandela House – and it gets a laugh. Junee lives in an (unnamed) neighbouring block of flats on the same estate.
Junee’s flat is clearly the Trotter abode re-dressed. Rodney "pumps up" a flat tyre which isn’t going to provide a very long-term solution. Rodney was "2 and a half" when Junee last saw him in September 1965, which makes Rodney’s birthday now March 1963 – other episodes say 1958, so he would actually have been 7 and a half! [Del is exaggerating in this episode]. As if this wasn’t enough, Rodney is said to be "24" here which means he was born in 1960! Clearly, someone took a foot off the continuity pedal at this point.
We meet Maureen, the new Nags Head barmaid, as played by Nula Conwell (aka Viv Martello in "The Bill")
"She might think I’m odd" "Premature? She’d have to have been bleeding instant!" "Debbie’s just putting some clothes on"
Junee’s leopard skin cushions!
There is a great scene where Rodney is making himself look presentable for Debbie, and doesn’t know Del is in the same flat until he appears behind him in the mirror puffing his cigar!
The best episode up to this point, steeped in Del’s personal history. The best bit comes towards the end, when Mickey Pearce swoops in and steals Debbie from Rodney – it’s a neat mirror of the events of 19 years ago. "I know only too well Mickey my son" laments Del, as he leaves. |
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