Ep 6. The Russians Are Coming

Only Fools and Horses is a classic British comedy series following the lives of two brothers, Del and Rodney Trotter, as they try to make a living in Peckham, London. In season 1 episode 6, entitled "The Russians Are Coming," Del and Rodney find themselves trying to sell some faulty dodgy goods to some East German businessmen at a hotel.

The episode begins with the Trotter brothers attempting to fix up a broken-down old watch and trying to pass it off as a valuable antique. They plan to sell it to some unsuspecting buyers at a hotel, but when they arrive, they find that the buyers are actually a group of East German businessmen looking to make a purchase for their company. Del and Rodney try to hide their disappointment at not getting the price they had hoped for and make a quick exit.

Soon after, they learn that the dodgy goods they were trying to sell are causing problems for the East Germans, which prompts them to seek out the Trotters in order to get a refund. Del and Rodney pretend to be Russian diplomats in an attempt to get the East Germans to back off, but things quickly escalate out of control.

The episode is a classic example of the kind of comedy that made Only Fools and Horses such a beloved show. The banter between Del and Rodney is top-notch, and the constant shift between the brothers trying to get one over someone and then being caught out themselves makes for some classic moments of slapstick humour.

The episode is also notable for taking on a political edge as it highlights tensions between East and West in the Cold War era. The East German businessmen are portrayed as stern, unyielding, and humorless, while the Trotter brothers are seen as the cheeky, irreverent, underdogs.

Overall, "The Russians Are Coming" is a classic episode that highlights everything that made Only Fools and Horses such a beloved comedy series. The humour is clever and well-timed, the characters are well-drawn and memorable, and the episode's themes of underdog triumph and political satire are both topical and timeless. It's an excellent example of why the show is still so fondly remembered and watched to this day.