The Class of '62

"The Class of '62" is an episode of the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses. It was the fourth episode of series 7, and was first broadcast on 20 January 1991. In the episode, Del Boy, Rodney, Boycie, Denzil and Trigger attend a school reunion which, to their surprise, has been arranged by Roy Slater.

Synopsis

Del Boy and Rodney receive a fax on their new Futafax machine from Mike that a reunion for the 1962 class of the Martin Luther King Comprehensive School (formerly Dockside Secondary Modern) has been arranged at The Nag's Head (as well as saying that the machine doesn't work properly). Raquel receives a letter from her solicitors explaining that they have managed to trace her ex-husband, who is considering filing for a divorce.

At the reunion, Del, Rodney, Boycie, Trigger, and Denzil all wonder who arranged it all, as the organiser didn't leave his name because he'd paid by cash. After initially wondering if it was their sectioned headmaster, "Bend Over" Benson, the mystery organiser turns out to be despised ex-police officer Roy Slater. A seemingly reformed Slater explains that a five-year prison sentence for the diamond smuggling incident and the death of his father has changed him for the better, and he is now a born again Christian and has a new life in Colchester. After initial reluctance, following numerous spurious charges Slater has placed on them down the years, Del and friends agree to forgive Slater and they head back to Nelson Mandela House for a few drinks and to reminisce about their schooldays. Denzil, Trigger, and Boycie all go home, but Slater falls asleep on the sofa. Raquel enters the flat and is horrified to see Slater who, it emerges, is her ex-husband. Despite a furious argument between Slater and the group, the Trotters reluctantly let him stay for the night.

Later that night, Del, Rodney, and Albert discuss what would happen if anyone found out that Raquel was married to the hated Slater, which would result in Del's image being tarnished and many of his associates refusing to do business with him. Slater himself enters the room and reveals that he too is aware of the situation, and implies that he will reveal it to everyone in Peckham if he is not adequately accommodated. Del gives Slater £40 and agrees to let him stay as long as he wants, for starters, but as Rodney and Albert discover that Del actually gave Slater the money from Slater's own wallet, Rodney finds a post-nuptial agreement inside it, intended for Raquel to sign, in which she would waive her rights to his coming inheritance. They also discover another document from a Bond Street diamond merchant, informing Slater about ten diamonds deposited before he was sent to prison. Just as Del thinks he has the upper hand, Slater emerges from the bedrooms and takes back his wallet, which he has been looking for, and with it the evidence.

The next day at the Nag's Head Raquel enters to find Slater conversing with Mike, she inquires as to why he's staying around when Del and Rodney enter. Raquel then goes to wait outside in the Trotter van, as Del asks Slater if he had known all along that Raquel was living with him. Slater casually agrees, revealing to Del that he only organised the 'reunion' idea to get into Del's flat and get Raquel to sign the post-nuptial agreement. Del Boy and Rodney then show Slater one of their Futafax machines, which Del says he used to make several photocopies of Slater's diamond documents. Slater retorts that he has already served his sentence and cannot be tried for the same crime twice. Del continues that he and Rodney went to the local newspaper offices and read the reports of Slater's trial, which did not mention the ten missing diamonds deposited with the dealer. If the incriminating documents were to be sent to the police, it would mean a new trial, and given Slater's record most likely a return to prison with a longer sentence. Slater offers to split the money from the sale of the diamonds with the Trotters, but they refuse, and instead offer Slater a deal: They will keep quiet over the ten missing diamonds and Slater can keep his money, but he is to give Raquel her divorce, leave Peckham for good, and never mention to anyone that he was married to her.

A defeated Slater agrees to the deal and quickly leaves. As he heads to the door however he asks with Del to name Raquel's child after him. Rodney restrains Del and retorts that "christening a child 'Dick'" would be cruel. Slater sulks out, and Del explains to Rodney that when Slater sells his diamonds, Raquel can divorce him and legally be entitled to 50% of his money. Mike shows up and tells the Trotter brothers that the photocopier on the Futafax they sold him does not work. A laughing Del answers that his does not either, meaning that he and Rodney were bluffing to Slater all along.

Episode cast

Episode concept

• The idea for the script was based on a reunion that John Sullivan had with his football team.^[1]

Story arc

• This episode marks the final appearance of Roy Slater. He previously appeared in "May the Force Be With You" and "To Hull and Back". A teenage Slater would also appear in the 2010 comedy-drama prequel Rock & Chips.
• Raquel's ex-husband has been referred to numerous times, but this is the first episode in which he is identified as Slater.

Music

• The Cure: Never Enough
• Soul II Soul: People
• Manfred Mann: Mighty Quinn
• Lisa Stansfield: All Around The World
• Betty Boo: Valentine's Day

Note: "The Mighty Quinn" is edited out of the DVD version. It remains intact on the VHS and digital download versions.

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: "The Class of '62"

• "The Class of '62" at BBC Online
• "The Class of '62" at BBC Programmes
• "The Class of '62" on IMDb