"Fatal Extraction"

25th December 1993
 

Del's buying 650 Russian ex-military video cameras from Ronnie Nelson! The only problem is, you need to buy a Russian VCR to go with it! (or the tapes don't fit!).

He's also selling Ski Gear from Figi!
 

Del's stripey dressing gown and spotty bow tie. Cassandra's bendy grey leggings. Rodney in bright pink quilted Ski outfit and mask. Boycie's disgusting tie.
 

Rodney and Cassandra are trying for a baby and have a punishing "work" schedule. Meanwhile Del has been hitting the casinos, in particular the "121 Club" (not to be confused with the "one eleven club" from "Chain Gang"?)

In a lovely bit of hitherto unrevealed information, it's revealed that Del dated Marlene for a month at some point before she met Boycie. She was "a redhead", a "tattooists daughter", a "good all rounder" (!) and worked in a Betting Shop in Lewisham Grove (where Boycie eventually met her). The relationship ended when she met Del's Mum and Dad [according to "The Yellow Peril" this makes it 1960, as Rodney was two] and fled to the roof to avoid him! Also, in a neat bit of continuity surely evident only to the writer and the fan club, Marlene's cousin Bronco is mentioned (from "The Sky's The Limit"). He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where Beverly worked.

Sid's morphing cafe has turned back into being massive and on-location. His porridge is known to have hairs in it! Boycie and Marlene have just spent a week in Barbados. Denzil recalls his "split" with Corrine, which ties in with the last time she was mentioned [in "Class of '62"]. Denzil has been going to see Mr Ellis the Dentist for years.

Del's last dentist was Mr Owens from the Ghandi Avenue (!) surgery, who died in 1977 on the night of the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Beverly has a grandson called Damien and divorced her husband 9 years ago.

Albert again reads "The Daily Mirror" [see "Mother Nature's Son"]. The family buy Kellogg's Rice Krispies. Raquel's favourite song is "One Voice".

Del took his O-Levels and claimed to have gotten 8 grade A's - until A turned out to stand for 'absent' (he was down the market flogging Tom Jones LP's). Del put his Dad in hospital during the ensuing argument (to whit, domestic abuse as a jolly outlet for comedy). The Trotter's flat is on the 12th floor of Nelson Mandela House.

Here's something you may not have heard before - we just MIGHT find out Trigger's surname in this episode. Beverly calls out "Mr James!" at the surgery, just as Trigger approaches the desk. Is this his real name?

Albert's submarine was once attacked by a randy whale.

Not had one of these for a while, but Del describes some of his past dates: Pauline, Janine, Marion (who he gave a ring to) and Veronique from Woolworths. Also see "Continuity".

We also haven't had one of these for a while, but there is a new blonde thing behind the bar of the "Nags Head"! Alas, she doesn't speak and is credited only as "Vi" in the credits.

East 17's "Alright" makes some of us feel nostalgic when watching this episode, and there's a cheeky topical gag at then-current flop soap "Eldorado's" expense.

Del is at the "121 Club" to meet Ronnie Nelson (who owns it)

Mel Martin, playing Beverly the sinister Dental Receptionist, has enjoyed a massive career as a jobbing TV actress, including "Casualty", "Heartbeat", "Holby", "Born & Bred", "Hetty Wainthrop", "Cold Feet", "Silent Witness" and "Daziel & Pascoe", not to mention certain shows called "The Darling Buds of May" and "A Touch Of Frost" which might have endeared her to an actor in this production too.

The weird farting noise when Del steps in the baked beans (the dubbing mixer getting carried away?). The odd line where he says of Damien "he's only ten!" (what's he on about?). Why is Damian playing with his gerbil before Christmas if it was bought as a Christmas present?

There's a great double-gag when Raquel discusses her tragic wardrobe:

"The only time my clothes look fashionable is when I'm watching UK Gold!" and

"I said I wouldn't mind a little number by Bruce Oldfield... he got me Tubular Bells!"

"Cor blimey, I turned round a bit quick and thought Right Said Fred had come in!" (a personal favourite).

"Stone me Rodney, what are you two trying for, a baby or a Barbecue?"

Del's reason why he can't have the injection:

"My brother's out in the van"
"Just a little prick!"
"You know him then?"

"They say time's a great healer. When did your relationship break up?"
"This morning!"

"Why ask!"

and... best of all...

"What's wrong with you, you moron!"
"Just a couple of fillings thanks!"

The best scene is when Del, Raquel & Damian arrive back on the estate to find a (very expensively staged) riot going on. Marooned in the Capri Gear, Del sounds his comedy horn and the rioters and police part like the red sea. Gliding through, we see that both sides are wearing the Ski Gear and they promptly resume fighting with another stab of the horn.
 

"Bonne de douche!"
 

This is more like it, a much more Christmassy and well written plot than the "Miami Twice" fiasco. There are many, many delightful moments here, from Rodney's fearful face framed against Cassandra's dreaded thermometer, to the lovely "Say the magic words Raquel!" reuniting of Del and Raquel. Best of all, there's another great plot where lots of disparate elements scattered throughout the episode (the answerphone, the high chair and all) slot together to form a wonderful resolution. It finishes with a gorgeous tracking shot of Beverly singing "Silent Night" in front of the Christmas Tree and smiling up the Trotters flat. Did she plot Del's downfall all along? All in all, a rather wonderful Christmas episode.