Ep 4. The Pay-Off

The Pay-Off is the fourth episode of the third season of Hi-de-Hi!, a British comedy series set in a holiday camp in the 1950s. The episode takes place during a staff meeting where the camp manager, Jeffrey Fairbrother, announces that the staff's wages are going to be paid in a new system. Instead of receiving money, they will earn "Holiday-Dollars," a new currency that they can only use at the camp's facilities.

The staff is not thrilled by this new system, and several of them consider quitting. Ted Bovis, the camp's entertainment manager, sees an opportunity to make some money and proposes to sell fake Holiday-Dollars to the staff, giving them the impression that they have bypassed the new system and gotten real cash. The only problem is, the Camp Controller, Sylvia Garnsey, is aware of Ted's plan and is trying to stop him.

Meanwhile, Fred Quilley, the camp's handyman, is trying to impress Yvonne Stuart-Hargreaves, the camp's ballroom dancing instructor. Yvonne is not interested in Fred, but she is attracted to the idea of winning a dance competition with him, as the prize is a week's holiday in Paris. Fred agrees to participate in the competition, but he quickly realizes he has no idea how to dance.

The Pay-Off is a typical episode of Hi-de-Hi!, with its witty humor, colorful characters, and fast-paced situations. The episode tackles themes such as greed, romance, and friendship, all set against the backdrop of a holiday camp. The characters' quirks and personalities make them relatable and endearing to the audience, who get to witness their struggles and triumphs in equal measure.

The episode is notable for its clever use of the new currency system as a plot device, showing the staff's reaction to the new rules and Ted's attempt to circumvent them. The episode also features several scenes of the staff participating in camp activities, such as canoeing and archery, highlighting the fun and joyful atmosphere of the camp.

Overall, The Pay-Off is a fun and enjoyable episode of Hi-de-Hi!, which showcases the series' strong writing and talented cast. The episode leaves the audience eager to see what the future holds for the staff of the Maplins Holiday Camp and their wacky adventures.