Will it be Happy Ever After (Only Fools and Horses: Dates (DVD))

Member Name: blondgem

Product:	Only Fools and Horses: Dates (DVD)
Date:	04/01/08 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: feature length classic episode

Disadvantages: -

Only Fools and Horses "Dates" was first aired as the CHristmas Special of the sitcom in 1988, and was the first feature length episode produced by Gareth Gwenlan and directed by Tony Dow. "Dates" is also the first time that we see Tessa Peake Jones otherwise known as Del's significant other Racquel appear.

This episode begins with Del, Rodney and Uncle Albert sitting around a table in the flat at Nelson Mandela House, Uncle Albert once again as usual remeniscing about his old wartime stories and yet again managed to tell another story where he had sank yet another vessel. Showing his two nephews pictures of a birthday bash that he had, he leaves the room, looking at the back of the picture Rodney notices that the date of the picture is only a couple of weeks ago and the two come to the conclusion that it is the crafty old beggars way of trying to get them organise a surprise party.

Back in Nags Head, Trigger walks into the pub dressed as a dogs dinner holding a bunch of flower, the likes of what you can oick up from a petrol station. Mike gives Trigger a Scotch and Trigger asks how did you know i wanted a scotch, Mike replies if I was dressed like that I would want a scotch. Boycie walk up to Trigger and asks if it a new religion as Trigg is dresssed up and in Trigger style he says I am taking a lady out to lunch, now we have never seen Trigger go out we ith a lady and they reply "Are you Sure". Del walks in and asks if its comic relief and they go through the same rigmarole again of are you sure. Trigger tells them that he has joined a computer dating agency, being honest with his answers to his questions he has bigged himself up a little more than just a road sweeper.

In order to get Uncle Albert a surprise birthday party, Del asked Mike if he can hold it in the pub. Mike says he can on one condition "He don't sing, he doesn't use bad language, he doesn't dance, he doesn't tell rude jokes and doesn't drink too much... he justs sits down quietly, soberly and enjoys himself" Sounds like a cracking night.

Del walks out of the pub and see's Trigger walking into an Italian estaurant and quote "I don't believe it, thats a women". Meanwhile Rodney is trying his hand at getting a date with the barmaid Nervous Nery's and much too his surprise she agree's. Having a bit of Mickey pearce advice, they tell him that Nery's is into Macho Men and when he dates her he should make the impression that he is hard. In typical Rodney style he falls for what his so-called jokey friends advise him.

Del has now got it into his head that he should join the computer dating agency and goes to the office to sign up. He describes what he is looking for as a bit of a sort, a bit refined who is guaranteed a steak meal. Seeing what matches come up with Del, up arises Racquel, an actress who is due to meet under the clock at Waterloo Station, with a bunch of flowers for Racquel. The interviewer specifies that it is extremely important that all clients are honest, then asks Del if there is a E at the end of his name. Del replies no, its Du Vell, Derek Du Vell.

As Del is getting ready for his date, he gets quizzed by Uncle Albert as to who he is meeting. Rodney too also has a date and walks out wearing a pair of tight denims, white t-shirt and leather jacket with his hair greased back and a pair of very large sunglasses, trying to look hard. Both Del and rodney try and wind each other up about their dates in typical only fools style.

Del arrives at Waterloo station to meet Racquel with a ridiculously sized bouquet for Racquel. Looking around for his date Del approaches a prostitute thinking it is Racquel and nearly gets done for picking her up. Finally a few minutes later, Racquel arrives and Del takes her to lunch. Del tips the waiter to come across and tell him that their is an important call from his New York office, trying to impress Racquel, he tells the waiter to tell them that he is busy. They chat, get to know each other and agree to meet again at Racquels place on Monday night as Racquel is normally busy as Drama Classes on Friday and Saturday nights.

Rodney's date didn;t quite go to plan, picking Nery's up in the famous three wheeled van. Cruising along on the roads giving Nery's the experience she will never forget, Rodney first drops his cigarette nearly setting the van on fire. Whilst cruising, Rodney drives past aload of lads and gives them grief, they decide to give Rodney the chase. As Rodney realises he speeds up. Getting a little nervous himself and trying to escape from the youths Rodney drives through a red light resulting in a Police car running to the back of another car. They are now on the war path for a yellow three wheel van. Dropping Nery's off at home, she is in tears, hair all over the place and looks like she has had the fright of her life.

As another successful date with Racquel he invites her to Uncle Albert's surprise birthday party, unfortunately she is at drama classes that evening and is unable to make it.

Uncle Alberts party has arrived and out goes through the window, the one condition of the party, Uncle Albert is slightly tipsy, playing the piano and singing. Del is smitten with Racquel and is telling Rodney all about her. Rodney is anxious to meet her however she is working and can't come to the party. As Uncle Albert is being warned by Mike about his behaviour, in walks in a captain who places him under arrest for sinking a vessel. There are two people as the male cautions him and advises that he will be court martialled, the female reads him his rights and then starts to strip. As everyone is laughing and the female sits on his knee she turns round and much to Del's annoyance it is Racquel, Del's new girlfriend. Del gets taunted by everyone including Rodney and walks out of the pub extremely upset, with a now sympathetic Rodney following him to console him. Racquel runs out to try and explain and realises that Del isn't who he say he is either. A bit of a difference between a Ferrari and a Robin Reliant. Racquel asks Del is he wants to see her again and he replies, yes of course I want to see yo again, but next time I will pay at the door like all the other punters. Racquel walks off and Del regrets what he has said.

Racquel comes to see Del and tells him that she is leaving to go on a tour as her agent has called and she has been offered a job in the Middle East. She thanks Del and suggests that they may have a chance of being with each other and says she will stay if he comes to her flat before she leaves. Del say he needs times to think about it.

The next day, back in the Nags Head Del has been doin a lot of thinking. Going back to Rodneys date, the police finally catch up with him and come into the Nags Head to arrest him. Del thinking it is a sick joke and thinks the copper is a stripper he rips her top of and gets arrested himself. With the time ticking will Del make his decision and make Racquel stay or not.

Another classic episode .. they are all my favourites.

Summary: Best Sitcom Ever