Happy Release (Porridge)

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Happy Release is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge. It was first broadcast on 21 November 1975.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Plot

Much to Mr Mackay's dismay, Fletch is laid up on hospital with a broken ankle, and is thoroughly enjoying a good 3 week's rest until he is back on his feet.

In the adjoining bed is Blanco Webb, also in hospital with a "tired heart", who is morbidly contemplating his mortality. He also reveals that the only other inmate patient, namely the universally despised Norris, has tricked him into parting with his few worldly possessions - an antique silver snuff box, a Japanese battery-powered radio, and (his most prized possession) a musical box that plays Waltzing Matilda. Fletch tries to get Norris to give them back, but it is revealed that Blanco lost them by playing Norris at cards, which means he actually lost them "fair and square".

Later that night, whilst Norris is apparently asleep, Blanco confides in Fletch that he does, in fact, have one last valuable legacy - £8,000 stolen from a wages van - which Blanco reveals was buried in Leeds and shows Fletch a map showing the exact location of the loot. Blanco tells Fletch that he is bequeathing his fortune to him, since he does not believe he will survive the remainder of his sentence. Fletch, touched that Blanco has shown the trust in him that he would return the map should Blanco survive to see freedom, takes the map and hides it.

Norris, it transpires, was wide awake during the discussion and embarks on an attempt to steal the map. Fletch uses Godber to smuggle the map back to their cell in some books so Norris cannot find it, however Norris does come clean that he is aware of the map's existence and offers (since he is being released in a matter of days) to recover the loot and hold it in trust until the others are released, in return for being cut in on the amount. Fletch initially feigns ignorance, but eventually agrees that Norris can be cut in if he can locate the map.

Norris realises that the map is not in the hospital wing, and so goes to Godber and Fletch's cell in order to bargain with Godber. Godber, like Fletch, feigns ignorance and ignores Norris' pleas. Norris, becoming increasingly frustrated, offers to trade all of Blanco's possessions, all of his tobacco, and his back-pay in exchange for the map. Godber agrees, hands the map to Norris who is then subsequently released and proceeds immediately to Leeds.

On visiting the hospital to dish out the food, Godber is met with a very frosty reception from Fletch and Blanco, which very quickly melts and the whole escapade revealed - it has all been staged. The whole plot was to retrieve Blanco's possessions, which had worked "like a charm", and the map was completely fabricated. Fletch reveals that he knew all along that Norris was eaves-dropping and had plotted the entire scheme. Blanco is deeply touched to be re-united with his beloved trinkets, and the three have inherited a fortune in money and tobacco as a result. Fletch reveals that the best is yet to come, and suggests that they used Blanco's radio to listen out for any prominent news.

Norris, having made his way to Leeds and bode his time until the night, follows the maps directions, and in the pitch dark finds the spot and starts to dig. As he digs, he is illuminated by a bright light, and looking around sees exactly where he is digging - in the centre of the pitch at the Leeds United AFC football ground at Elland Road. He is subsequently discovered and re-arrested.

In the hospital wing, Fletch and Blanco listen to the 9 o'clock news on Blanco's radio and break into hysterics when hearing of the fate of an "analytical horticulturist of no fixed abode".