Our take
A Christmas Day episode about a marriage on the rocks, told with more sympathy than you might expect. The younger brother's sulking and the older one's meddling are both very funny. It also leaves room for a grown-up look at two people who want different things. It is not a big-event special like the ones around it, but it is a well-made character piece.
What happens
On paper Rodney has it all: a beautiful wife, a comfortable job at his father-in-law's printing firm and a smart home. Del is happy too, because Raquel, back from a theatre tour of the east coast of America, has agreed to move in with him. But all is not well between Rodney and Cassandra. She has thrown herself into her career, and he cannot understand why she would rather go to work functions than cook his tea. After the punch that ended the last Christmas, the couple are living apart and Rodney is back in the flat. Del, worried about his brother's happiness and no less worried about losing his cheap printing through Rodney's job, decides to play Cupid. His schemes to reunite the couple backfire, and by the end Rodney is homeless for the third time in eighteen months.
Can the kids watch it?
Suits most children from about 10: marital rows, mild language and some adult themes.
Cast and crew
Starring
- David Jason as Del
- Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney
- Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert
- Patrick Murray as Mickey Pearce
- Tessa Peake-Jones as Raquel
- Gwyneth Strong as Cassandra
Guest stars
- Denis Lill as Alan Parry
- Tony Marshall as Chris
Writer
- John Sullivan
Director
- Tony Dow