Ep 4. Up the Crick Without a Piddle

'Allo 'Allo!' is a British comedy series that premiered on BBC One in 1982. Set in Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War, the show follows the farcical exploits of a hapless café owner, René Artois, as he and his wife, Edith, attempt to appease both the German occupational forces and the French Resistance while trying to achieve their own personal agenda, which often involves keeping hold of priceless artwork for themselves.

Season 7, Episode 4, titled Up the Crick Without a Piddle, delivers another round of high jinks and mishaps ensnared in the show's signature comedic espionage and slapstick humor. Although the episode's content is crafted to maintain a standalone storyline, it builds on past character development and situational comedy established throughout the series. Therefore, it's beneficial to have watched prior episodes to fully grasp the recurring jokes and relational dynamics that play out in this episode.

In this episode, René continues to juggle his double life as a café owner and reluctant hero of the Resistance. With the war effort intensifying, René finds himself caught in an escapade that will test his wit and luck to the extreme. The Resistance has devised yet another audacious plan, much to René's dismay, as he often bears the brunt of their schemes' unintended consequences.

The episode opens with René lamenting to his faithful patrons about the chaos that the war has brought upon his once-peaceful establishment. He yearns for a return to normalcy but knows all too well that the Resistance, the Germans, and even his wife's insistence on singing will disrupt any semblance of quietude. From the corner, the tone-deaf serenade of Madame Edith pierces the mood, while the waitresses, Yvette and Mimi, attempt to carry on their duties amidst the growing commotion.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Gruber, with his well-known soft spot for René, seeks advice on matters of the heart, putting René in the awkward position of counselor to the enemy. Oblivious to the tangled web of affections, suspicions, and deceit, the German officer remains hopeful for camaraderie, even within the confines of war.

The crux of the episode's titular dilemma arises when the Resistance leader, Michelle of the Résistance, stages a clandestine meeting in René's backroom. She reveals the plans to transport a coveted object out of the village, and the mission, naturally, involves the most nonsensical yet somehow plausible means conceivable by the show's writers. With the Germans and the Gestapo ever-vigilant, the task requires a level of stealth that only the drollery of 'Allo 'Allo! could equate with waving a proverbial flag.

Complicating affairs, the ever-suspicious Herr Flick of the Gestapo harbors his own intentions, which intersect and tangle with the Resistance's covert operations. His bumbling assistant, Von Smallhausen, remains eager to please but inept, providing plenty of opportunities for misunderstanding and accidents that serve as a staple of the show's humor.

René's attempts to navigate the plan without drawing attention to himself and his establishment are fraught with comedic missteps. His agility for unintentional slapstick, wordplay, and situational absurdity is put to the test as he stumbles from one uncomfortable interaction to the next, involving hidden compartments, disguises, and even wild animals. Further complicating matters are the unexpected arrivals of General Von Klinkerhoffen and the Gestapo, each with their agenda that only intensifies the chaos.

Each character arrives with their humorous quirks, from Officer Crabtree's mangled French to Colonel Kurt Von Strohm and Captain Hans Geering's self-serving antics to avoid the complications of war. Fraulein Helga's unfailing devotion to Herr Flick also produces humorous interludes, showcasing her dual loyalties and the tangled web of relationships that underpin the show's satirical universe.

In true 'Allo 'Allo! fashion, the episode features a series of misunderstandings, visual gags, and character-driven jokes that crescendo into an orchestrated mess only this ensemble of characters could achieve. As René scrambles to protect his café, his staff, and ever more reluctantly, his honor as a member of the Resistance, the audience is treated to the intricacies of a comedic ballet that satirizes the very notion of wartime espionage.

It's worth noting that the humor of 'Allo 'Allo! is very much rooted in its time, walking a fine line between offensiveness and innocent parody. Some aspects of the show's comedy, which hinge on stereotypes and sexual innuendo, may be seen differently by modern audiences. Nonetheless, Up the Crick Without a Piddle stands as an exemplary installment of the series, capturing its essence of blending historical context with farcical comedy in a way that endeared it to audiences across its original run.