Ep 1. If They Could See Us Now!

In the season 9 premiere episode of Only Fools and Horses titled "If They Could See Us Now!", Del and Rodney find themselves in a position of immense wealth. The episode opens on a flash forward of the two brothers being greeted by limousine drivers, lauded as successful businessmen, and being asked to attend a fancy gala event.

The actual episode begins the day before, where we find Del and Rodney living in luxury beyond their wildest dreams. They have moved out of their council flat and into "Nelson Mandella House," an upscale apartment complex that has state-of-the-art elevators, a concierge, and panoramic views of the city. Del has even splurged on a trendy, expensive suit to flaunt his newfound success.

The catalyst for their wealth comes from a newly discovered painting that supposedly dates back to the Spanish Inquisition and was bought for a mere £600. The painting is valued at £3.5 million, and the brothers plan to auction it off.

The episode is a treat for longtime fans of the show, as we see Del and Rodney in a completely new light, no longer worried about where their next meal is coming from or how they're going to pay their rent. Instead, they are eager to spend their newfound wealth on expensive wine, designer clothes, and fancy cars.

However, their sudden wealth has also attracted the attention of some unsavory characters. Del's past comes back to haunt him when an old rival, Slater, shows up and demands a cut of their earnings. Slater is played by Jim Broadbent, who delivers an excellent performance as the sleazy and menacing rival to Del's street-smart charm.

As the auction approaches, the Trotters' hopes are high, but things take a turn for the worse when the painting is revealed to be a fake. Devastated, they are forced to return to their humble beginnings, as their dreams of wealth and success come crashing down around them.

The episode ends on a bittersweet note, as Del and Rodney come to the realization that they don't need money to be happy. They may not be rich, but they have each other and their tight-knit community, which is worth more than all the money in the world.

Overall, "If They Could See Us Now!" is a fantastic episode and a fitting start to the final season of Only Fools and Horses. It's a great reminder of why fans have loved the show for so long and why it remains a British comedy classic.