The Man in the Long Black Coat

Our take

A sharper, stranger special than the first, built on a feud that has curdled over seven months and a heap of manure nobody will move. The grotesque comedy is pure Renwick, and a guest turn from Eric Idle adds to the oddness, but the sudden swerve into a serious accident at the end shows how far the show was willing to push its audience over the holidays.

What happens

Seven months after Patrick gunned down a hundred of Victor's garden gnomes, the two neighbours are still behaving like schoolboys, arguing constantly and targeting each other with ever-pettier plots, and Margaret is at the end of her tether with both men. Pippa, meanwhile, has fallen pregnant. On the Meldrews' other side, Nick Swainey is his usual cheery self despite the death of his grandmother, who was 93. The rest of the street is losing patience with Victor over a pile of horse manure, bought as fertiliser from a dodgy character, that was dumped in the middle of the road outside the house days ago and has still not been moved. When he finally takes it to his allotment, Victor is approached by a public health scientist from the council, who assures him there is nothing to be alarmed about but insists on running a range of tests on the dung. Back at home, Margaret follows Pippa's advice and serves Victor a relaxing herbal tea, which causes extreme confusion when Mr Swainey returns from his grandmother's cremation. Then the hostilities on the terrace stop dead when Pippa is involved in a serious car crash. Shown in Christmas week, it is not set at Christmas.

Can the kids watch it?

Not rated by the BBFC on its own; it ends with a serious car accident, so it suits children of about 12 and over.

Cast and crew

Starring

• Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew
• Annette Crosbie as Margaret Meldrew
• Owen Brenman as Nick Swainey
• Angus Deayton as Patrick Trench
• Janine Duvitski as Pippa Trench

Guest stars

• Eric Idle as Dr. Mervyn Whale
• Michael Robbins as Mr. Killick

Writer

• David Renwick

Director

• Susan Belbin