Spatz S3E4 (1992) - FULL EPISODE

Описание: Extortion. Karen's latest initiative is to have the staff smiling at all times - 10.2cm minimum, or the customer's meal is free - and this scheme is tested to breaking point when a bunch of local gangsters running a protection racket start demanding money with menaces. This episode was originally broadcast on Friday, 20th March, 1992, and this upload replaces a previous recording -    • Spatz S3E4 (1992) - FULL EPISODE   - which came from a later repeat.

Giving it the po-faced analysis treatment, I suppose the subtext of this one is the contrast of TJ being all principled and sticking to what he knows is right versus Karen's vaguely pragmatic cowardice which sees her buckle at every hint of an obstacle. In fact, Karen makes me laugh a lot in this one - her complete lack of sympathy after the beating is brilliant, while one of my favourite sources of comedy is people blurting out stupid things while irrationally angry. The knee-jerk "I can, too" (and subsequent realisation) when told she can't grow a nice thick moustache - subtle as it is - is actually one of the high points of the entire run for me.

I wonder whether the resolution of the main plot (trying not to give anything away) owes anything to Home Alone. I can definitely see its influence in there, and I also see a brief nod to Way Out West in the hiding of the key bit. I love the fact that, although we know from the moment the conditions of the smile are mentioned that someone's going to try to take advantage, but when it turns out to be a man of the cloth... well, that's another example of those unnecessary bonuses that the writers throw in that add so much. Speaking of the writers - and I accept I'm on extremely thin ice here - I have more than a suspicion that the fantastic impassioned speech by the bald customer (played by Andrew Jarvis) about his constant torment may perhaps be at least partially autobiographical. Either way, it's a brilliant bit.

There's a nice guest turn in this one from Richard O'Callaghan as the main gangster. Richard's credits include serious plays, Carry On films, a voice role in Watership Down, McCallum, Dalziel and Pascoe, and relatively recent parts in Red Dwarf. Now that's what I call versatility.

Stay tuned at the end for a brief clip of CITV continuity presented by Tommy Boyd.

Grateful thanks to Joe for lending me this tape.

(To the best of my knowledge, the contents of this video have never been available commercially anywhere in the world. Please also note that I don't monetise any of my uploads. Nevertheless, if you are a copyright holder and have an objection, please don't hesitate to contact me.)