Ep 3. The Futility of the Fly

Albert and Betty share an unfortunate run-in with a pesky fly in this week's episode of One Foot in the Grave titled "The Futility of the Fly." As pensioners living a seemingly ordinary life, Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson) and his long-suffering wife, Margaret (Annette Crosbie), find themselves entangled in yet another absurd and frustrating situation.

The episode opens with Victor spending a calm and uneventful morning at home. However, as his tranquility is shattered by the incessant buzzing noise of a fly, his annoyance quickly escalates to full-blown frustration. Determined to rid their home of this irritating creature, Victor embarks on a relentless mission to catch and exterminate the fly once and for all.

As Victor's pursuit of the fly reaches comical proportions, his desperate tactics and slapstick attempts to trap the buzzing insect leave both the audience and his wife in fits of laughter. From swatting at the fly with a rolled-up newspaper to wielding a can of bug spray in a seemingly futile battle, Victor's efforts prove to be in vain. The fly continues to dodge his every move, mocking his attempts as it buzzes around their home.

Meanwhile, Margaret observes her husband's increasingly erratic behavior with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Despite her initial amusement, she becomes worried about Victor's obsessiveness and the toll it takes on his mental and emotional state, fearing it may be symbolic of his frustration with life in general. As she tries to reason with him and suggest alternative solutions, her voice of reason falls on deaf ears.

In a hilarious turn of events, Victor enlists the assistance of their elderly neighbor, Mr. Swainey (Doreen Mantle), who reluctantly joins the frantic pursuit. Together, the two pensioners devise an elaborate plan involving flypaper, sticky traps, and even a homemade contraption made from a vacuum cleaner. Their efforts, however, only lead to more chaos and unintended consequences, including Victor accidentally gluing his hand to the wall.

As the episode progresses, Victor's obsession with capturing the fly begins to take a toll on his relationship with Margaret. She becomes increasingly frustrated with his single-minded focus, feeling neglected and unimportant in the face of a mere insect. This tension adds a layer of emotional depth to the comedic narrative, exploring the dynamics of a long-term marriage and the challenges that arise when one partner fixates on trivial matters.

A subplot unfolds simultaneously, involving the couple's next-door neighbor, Patrick (Angus Deayton), and his constant noise disturbances. Victor, unable to concentrate on his fly-catching mission due to the disruptive sounds from next door, decides to confront Patrick about the issue. However, what initially starts as a confrontation soon devolves into a hilariously absurd exchange, with Patrick expressing his grievances about Victor's own noises and habits.

As the episode nears its climax, Victor's relentless pursuit of the fly finally comes to a head. In a surprising turn of events, the pesky insect inadvertently leads Victor outside and triggers a series of events that results in chaos and unexpected consequences for the Meldrews, their neighbors, and even the local community. The chaotic climax serves as the culmination of the episode's comedic build-up, leaving viewers eager to see how Victor and Margaret navigate the aftermath of the fly-induced mayhem.

"The Futility of the Fly" expertly blends slapstick comedy, relatable frustrations, and deeper themes of marriage and life's absurdities. Through its memorable characters and clever writing, the episode showcases the charm that has endeared One Foot in the Grave to audiences, as it continues to find humor in the simplest and most mundane aspects of everyday life.