Ep 1. The Man Who Blew Away
- December 24, 1994
- 39 min
-
8.3 (127)
One Foot in the Grave is a British sitcom that ran from 1990 to 2000. The show follows the life of Victor Meldrew, an elderly and cantankerous retiree who is constantly frustrated by the world around him. The first episode of season 5 is titled "The Man Who Blew Away."
In this episode, Victor and his long-suffering wife Margaret are on a holiday in a seaside town. Victor is his usual grumpy self, complaining about the hotel and the weather. Margaret tries to cheer him up by suggesting they take a walk along the beach, but Victor refuses.
While Margaret is out walking, Victor is visited by a mysterious stranger named Ted, who claims to have known Victor from years ago. Ted is a jovial and friendly man who tries to engage Victor in conversation, but Victor is suspicious and dismissive.
As the day goes on, Victor becomes increasingly irritated by Ted's presence. He is convinced that Ted is up to something and is determined to figure out what it is. Margaret, on the other hand, is taken with Ted and thinks he's a nice man.
Throughout the episode, the tension between Victor and Ted builds. Victor tries to get rid of him, but Ted persists. Victor's paranoia grows and he becomes convinced that Ted is a criminal or a con man. He becomes even more convinced when he spots Ted handing over an envelope to a man in a car.
In the end, Victor's suspicions are proved right. Ted is, in fact, a criminal who is being pursued by the police. He has been hiding out in the seaside town and thought that Victor wouldn't recognize him. However, Victor's memory is sharper than Ted anticipated, and he is eventually caught by the police.
The episode ends with Victor and Margaret back at the hotel, reflecting on their adventure. Margaret is disappointed that Ted turned out to be a criminal, while Victor is pleased that he was vindicated in his suspicions. Victor's grumpiness remains intact, and it's clear that his retirement is not going as smoothly as he had hoped.
One Foot in the Grave is a classic British sitcom that is known for its dry, sarcastic humor and its sharp observations on the challenges of aging. "The Man Who Blew Away" is a typical episode that showcases the show's strengths. The characters are well-drawn and the dialogue is witty and clever. The episode is a reminder that, no matter how old we get, we can still have adventures and surprises in our lives.