Spatz S2E5 (1991) - FULL EPISODE

Описание: Fire Alarm. The restaurant is having a new safety system fitted, and it's having a much bigger impact on business than intended. Meanwhile, TJ's girlfriend Julie is hired to stand in for the absent Vince, and Karen really doesn't like that. This episode was originally broadcast on Thursday, 7th February, 1991.

We're now firmly into the golden eraof Spatz, and this is another top notch instalment. It would be lazy and obvious to draw any sort of comparison with the famous Fawlty Towers fire alarm scene, but I'll do so anyway. Not that it's particularly similar, but the recurring false alarms and ensuing chaos seem to be influenced by it. (And who can blame them?) The only slight disappointment is that, when the inevitable finally does happen towards the end, the fire catches in a slightly boring and serious way. I'd have liked something a little more slapstick, but then maybe there were guidelines about that sort of thing back then.

Karen's attitude is very interesting in this one. Quite why she's so resentful of Julie isn't overtly explained, but I think it's clear for all to see that she's jealous beyond words but can't admit it even to herself. The way she victimises her purely for being TJ's girlfriend isn't entirely surprising, but the manner in which she sets her up to fail is low even for her. Struggling once more to say thank you sums it up, and her utter cowardice ("I'm easily bribed!") when she thinks revenge is coming her way is brilliant. "When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you" is one line I'll be keeping in my back pocket for a chance to use, while the hysterical scream and slap got a laugh from me. Funniest of all, Karen dishes out some unbelievably cheap shots at Julie throughout, though not quite as cheap as those sent the way of Andrew Lloyd Webber. There's also a bit of a giggle to be had with that overly-specific horoscope, and, on a quick technical note, compare the parts from the "Next week..." at the end of episode four and you'll find they used different angles and different takes.

Of the guest stars, we know Denise Coffey round these parts mostly for her role as Granny Bag a year later, and I've also already mentioned Catherine Russell (a.k.a. Serena in Holby) in connection with a previous appearance. Stealing the show in many ways, though, is Kenny Ireland as the chirpy alarm fitter with an unlikely penchant for musicals. Kenny - who you may recognise from either Benidorm or Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques sketches - is sadly no longer with us, but the part especially suits him as he was artistic director of Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum Theatre for around a decade and had some extremely outspoken views about the Scottish arts establishment. Here, though, he helps to provide an object lesson in how to wring every last drop out of a minor character. Credit also to the writers for bothering to come up with some unnecessary depth and a back story for what could have been no more than a necessary functional part in less capable hands. That's how you add value to a sitcom.

Stay tuned at the beginning and end for some short snippets of Children's ITV continuity presented by Jeanne Downs (but still no Scally). The opening clip seems to feature the big moment for some young competition winner or something.

Grateful thanks to Grant for providing this recording, because why wouldn't an actor tape over an episode they're not in?

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