This 1994 episode is the last in the series, one of ITV's best comedy/dramas with George Cole (Arthur Daley) becoming a household name - although he was well-known from numerous performances spanning a 60 year career. This episode features Dennis Waterman's replacement, Ray, Glynn Edwards behind the bar of the Winchester and 'Crankie Franky', a former employee, who escapes from prison, takes Arthur hostage and tries to find out if it's true his wife, Rosie, has been playing away.
In a nice twist, it transpires that she has indeed been unfaithful - with Luigi, who Daley is about to open an new restaurant with.
Mostly played seriously, with Arthur looking distinctly miffed being locked up in his lock-up instead of enjoying a roast with 'her indoors'. Like Captain Mainwaring's wife in Dad's Army, we never get to see her.
The histrionics of Luigi's wife are rather over the top - more suited to farce than comedy drama, otherwise, the episode carries on a tradition; Daley, doing his best for the black economy, whilst continually ruing his bad luck.
It's strange how in the generation since this was made, Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses has grown in stature, whilst Arthur Daley has somewhat diminished status in the iconography of late twentieth century television.
George Cole played the role immaculately and even if this episode might, as has been said, benefitted from some reminiscing with Terry (Waterman) and some others from earlier series appearing, it still left me wanting more - though not, necessarily, from Arthur's lock-up!
In a nice twist, it transpires that she has indeed been unfaithful - with Luigi, who Daley is about to open an new restaurant with.
Mostly played seriously, with Arthur looking distinctly miffed being locked up in his lock-up instead of enjoying a roast with 'her indoors'. Like Captain Mainwaring's wife in Dad's Army, we never get to see her.
The histrionics of Luigi's wife are rather over the top - more suited to farce than comedy drama, otherwise, the episode carries on a tradition; Daley, doing his best for the black economy, whilst continually ruing his bad luck.
It's strange how in the generation since this was made, Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses has grown in stature, whilst Arthur Daley has somewhat diminished status in the iconography of late twentieth century television.
George Cole played the role immaculately and even if this episode might, as has been said, benefitted from some reminiscing with Terry (Waterman) and some others from earlier series appearing, it still left me wanting more - though not, necessarily, from Arthur's lock-up!