The Russians Are Coming
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| Only Fools and Horses episode | |
| "The Russians Are Coming" | |
 |
|
|---|---|
| Series | 1 |
| Writer | John Sullivan |
| Director | Martin Shardlow |
| Producer | Ray Butt |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
| Airdate | 13 December 1981 |
| Audience | 8.8 million |
- For the saying, see The Russians are coming
The Russians Are Coming is an episode of the BBC sit-com, Only Fools and Horses. It was first screened on 13 December 1981, as the final episode of series 1.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Del Boy purchases several boxes of lead hoping to make a healthy profit, unaware that it is actually a do it yourself nuclear fallout shelter. The episode was first screened whilst the the real-life Soviet war in Afghanistan was ongoing, and Rodney persuades Del that, with a potential World War III looming, they should build the shelter rather than sell it. Del agrees to test out the shelter over the weekend.
Several potential locations for the shelter, including Grandad's allotment and Grandad's own idea of a spot in the New Forest, prove unworkable as the trio are unable to beat the four minute warning.
The remainder of the episode is set in the shelter, where the discussion turns to war and the potential aftermath of the impending one. Del suggests that the present generation of British youngsters have been denied their birthright of a war, which sparks a tirade by Grandad, who gives a passionate "war is hell" speech. The episode ends with Del dreaming aloud of what could become of the world in the event of nuclear fallout, while the camera zooms out to reveal the location of the Trotters' fallout shelter; at the top of their tower block, Nelson Mandela House.
[edit] Episode cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| David Jason | Del Boy |
| Nicholas Lyndhurst | Rodney |
| Lennard Pearce | Grandad |
| Derek Newark | Eric (police officer) |
| Kelly Garfield | Wayne (police officer) |
[edit] Quotes
- (Del and Rodney are in the flat, discussing the British response to a World War III).
- Rodney: And what have we got in this country to combat the might of the Soviet Union? Three Jump Jets and a strongly worded letter to the Russian ambassador.
- (Del and Rodney have just been stopped by a police officer during their attempt to beat the four minute warning to get to Grandads' allotment. The police officer has just walked off).
- Del: How are we doing for time Rodney?
- Rodney: (looking at his watch) Erm, we died 45 seconds ago.
[edit] Story Arc
- During his "war is hell" speech, Grandad mentions his brother, George, who would also be mentioned in "Strained Relations" as being Del's assumed godfather.
- Grandad's allotment is not only mentioned in this episode, but it appears in "Mother Nature's Son", which would contradict what Grandad said about never having a garden in "Homesick".
[edit] Trivia
- The idea for the script was based on some people John Sullivan was reading about who did as the script suggested: purchase lead and end up with an air-raid shelter.
[edit] Errors
- The Trotter van's registration number is APL 911 H in both this episode and "A Touch of Glass", whereas in "Modern Men", the van's registration number was DHV 938 D.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by A Slow Bus To Chingford |
Only Fools and Horses 13 October 1981 |
Succeeded by Christmas Crackers |
