Ep 6. The Prowler

The Prowler, the sixth episode of the first season of Rising Damp, is a classic and hilarious example of 1970s British sitcom. The episode showcases a stellar performance from the show's lead actor Leonard Rossiter, who plays the cunning, manipulative, and unscrupulous landlord Rigsby with perfect comic timing and a flawless delivery of his lines.

The plot revolves around Rigsby's suspicions that there is a prowler lurking around his boarding house, and his attempts to catch the culprit. He is convinced that it is one of his tenants, and his suspicions fall on Philip Smith (Don Warrington), the only black tenant in the house. Despite Philip's protests of innocence, Rigsby becomes increasingly paranoid and even goes to the extent of setting traps to catch the prowler.

Meanwhile, Alan (Richard Beckinsale), Rigsby's young and hapless tenant, is trying to woo a girl named Sandra, who he has met at a disco. Alan is determined to impress Sandra, and so he plays a set of expensive classical records which he has borrowed from Rigsby's collection. However, Rigsby soon finds out about the missing records and this leads him to suspect Alan as the prowler as well.

Amidst all this, Miss Jones (Frances De La Tour), Rigsby's object of desire, is trying to find a way out of Rigsby's advances. She is tired of his constant pestering, and so she comes up with a plan to make him think that she is married to Philip. This leads to a series of comic situations when Rigsby tries to strike a deal with Philip to get him to reveal the identity of the prowler.

The episode is a perfect example of the skilled writing and acting which makes Rising Damp such an entertaining show. The humor is dry and witty, and the characters are all perfectly drawn. Rigsby, in particular, is a standout character, who manages to be both repulsive and endearing at the same time. His neurotic behavior and constant scheming are hilarious to watch, and Rossiter imbues the character with a sense of depth and complexity which makes him more than just a caricature.

The other characters are all equally memorable, especially Miss Jones, who is a strong and independent woman in a time when such characters were rare on television. Her interactions with Rigsby are some of the funniest moments of the show, as she uses her wit and intelligence to put him in his place.

The episode also deals with issues of racism and prejudice, as Rigsby's suspicions of Philip are based purely on his skin color. However, the show handles this with a deft touch, using humor to highlight the stupidity and irrationality of such attitudes, while also showing the harm they can cause.

Overall, The Prowler is a classic episode of Rising Damp, showcasing the best of 1970s British sitcom. With its memorable characters, witty writing, and exceptional acting, it is a must-watch for fans of the genre, and a perfect introduction to the show for newcomers.