Diamonds Are a Man's Best FriendThis episode not only features the usual comic misunderstandings but also manifestations of the staff's worst instincts in that their greed prompts them to do anything to supplement their meager salaries.Firsts: First episode in which Mrs. Slocombe "is unanimous in this."Trivia:
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Peacock (and later, Lucas) calls the diamond's owner in Rumbold's voice.
The staff members, each of whom believes he/she has found the diamond, end up in Rumbold's office, all claiming "I haven't found the diamond yet." Everyone produces his/her "diamond" in turn, only to realize they were all rhinestones—all but one (Peacock's). Mr. Grace comes along and (surprise!) has to meddle in the situation. He adds £100 to the original £100 reward (which Rumbold had claimed to be only £75) and orders the £200 to be donated to the Grace Brothers Staff Home. Mr. Grainger ("It rather seems I shall be the first one to benefit.") is the only one smiling at the end.
Conclusion:
A tiny notch below the other classics of the first series, but still very amusing.
Firsts:
A good start for the second series. The various characterizations are beginning to gel, and the show would only get better and better.
Cold ComfortIn one of the most beloved classic episodes of AYBS?, the staff once again have to make the best of a bad situation when the heat is turned off at the store in the dead of winter to conserve fuel.Censorship Rears Its Ugly Head: On the 1997 CBS/Fox video, the scene with Mr. Rumbold and the cleaning women is optically censored, presumably to obscure the phallic appearance of the cleaner's frozen chamois. The broadcast and laser disc versions (and probably the 1992 home video) are unaltered, as is the 2002 DVD version.Best Bits:
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Conclusion:
One of the quintessential AYBS? episodes—superb in every respect.
The Think TankThe first of the "dress-up" episodes, "The Think Tank" is a precursor to later costume extravaganzas such as "Happy Returns" and "The Punch and Judy Affair".Best Bits:
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After a slow start, "The Think Tank" finishes strongly with the very entertaining fashion show scene.
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© 1997 Emily Jackson