Ep 8. The Last Day

The Brittas Empire is a beloved British sitcom that ran from 1991 to 1997. The show follows the daily happenings of the crazed but loveable Leisure Centre manager, Gordon Brittas, as he attempts to run his dysfunctional team and keep his centre afloat. In season 5 episode 8, titled "The Last Day," Brittas is faced with the biggest challenge of his career as the council announces that they are closing down the leisure centre for good.

The episode starts with the staff arriving at the leisure centre for another day of work, only to discover that Brittas has erected a giant countdown clock on the wall, ticking down the minutes until the centre is due to close. The news has been leaked by a local newspaper and Brittas is determined to go out in style by hosting a grand farewell party, complete with dancing, food and entertainment. However, as the countdown clock ticks away, Brittas starts to unravel as the enormity of the situation becomes overwhelming.

The staff attempt to carry on with their work as usual, but the news of the closure has hit them hard. Colin, the maintenance man, begins to strip the centre of all its equipment and fittings, determined to take everything he can before the council repossess it. Julie, the receptionist, spends her day calling local businesses in the hope of finding new jobs for herself and her colleagues. Meanwhile, Linda, the fitness instructor, decides to make the most of her last day by giving the pool a much-needed makeover, with disastrous consequences.

As the day wears on, Brittas becomes increasingly delusional, convinced that he can somehow save the centre from closure. He rallies the staff together for one last hurrah, but his grand plans are scuppered when a group of protesters arrive on the scene, demanding that the centre be saved. The protesters, led by a feisty local councillor, have chained themselves to the front gates of the centre and refuse to budge until their demands are met.

The episode reaches its climax as Brittas and the council gather in a tense meeting to discuss the fate of the leisure centre. Brittas, determined to save his beloved centre, launches into a passionate speech, arguing that the leisure centre is more than just a building, it's a community hub that brings people together. Despite his best efforts, the council remains unmoved, and Brittas is left to face the truth: the centre is beyond saving.

In the final scenes of the episode, the staff gather together for a bittersweet farewell party, complete with balloons, music, and one final speech from Brittas. The episode ends on a poignant note as the lights are turned off, and the doors of the leisure centre are closed for the last time.

Overall, "The Last Day" is a fitting end to the series, blending humour and heartache in equal measure. It's a testament to the show's enduring popularity that it continues to be watched and loved by audiences today.