Ep 4. The Beast in the Cage

One Foot in the Grave is a BBC sitcom that follows the story of Victor Meldrew, a retiree who is constantly plagued with bad luck and misfortune. In season 3 episode 4, titled The Beast in the Cage, Victor finds himself in a rather unusual situation. He is enlisted to look after a neighbor's pet python while they are away on a vacation. What seems like a simple enough task turns into a nightmare when the python gets loose in the house.

As the episode begins, Victor is enjoying a quiet afternoon at home when his neighbor comes to ask him a favor. He needs someone to look after his pet python, Monty, while he and his wife go on a holiday. Victor agrees, thinking it will be an easy job that won't take up too much of his time.

Things quickly go downhill when Victor goes to check on Monty and realizes that the cage is empty. He searches the entire house but can't find the snake anywhere. Panic sets in as Victor begins to imagine all the terrible scenarios that could occur if Monty were to get loose. He envisions the python attacking him in his sleep, slithering into his clothing, or worse, escaping out into the neighborhood.

Victor enlists the help of his long-suffering wife, Margaret, to help him find Monty. Margaret is less than enthusiastic about the whole situation, and her nerves are soon frayed as Victor becomes more and more unhinged in his search for the snake. As they search through every nook and cranny of the house, tensions between the couple rise, and they begin to bicker and argue over the simplest things.

Meanwhile, their nosy neighbor, Mr. Swainey, pays a visit and quickly becomes embroiled in the chaos. He unwittingly adds fuel to the fire by suggesting that the snake could be hiding in one of their bedrooms, sending Victor into a full-blown panic.

As the search continues, Victor becomes increasingly desperate and even considers calling in a professional snake catcher. However, this would mean admitting defeat, and Victor is determined to find Monty on his own. He resorts to extreme measures, such as pouring milk on the floor to lure the snake out and setting traps, but to no avail.

Just when it seems that all hope is lost, Margaret discovers Monty hiding in a cupboard. The relief that washes over Victor is palpable, and he collapses in a heap on the floor, grateful to be rid of the burden he never asked for. Margaret is clearly relieved as well and just as eager as Victor to return Monty to his cage and be done with the whole ordeal.

In the end, Victor is left shaken by the experience and feels as though he has narrowly escaped disaster. He is left to ponder the absurdity of the situation and the unpredictable nature of life. The Beast in the Cage is a classic One Foot in the Grave episode that showcases the humor and wit that made the sitcom so popular. It's a reminder that sometimes even the simplest tasks can go awry, and the consequences can be unexpected and hilarious.