Mum's Army

This is one of the greatest episodes of a sitcom ever aired. I have watched it many times, and from the moment Carmen Silvera, as Mrs Grey, appears, the tears start to flow, so that by the time the devastated Mainwaring is left standing on the platform, I am a snivelling wreck (and, like Ms Parish's father, I'm 6'3" ["so don't you go getting any ideas!"], Male and heterosexual!) The standard of acting in this episode is beyond belief. The way Mainwaring whimpers "But I...I don't WANT you to go" in the railway station cafe would break a heart of lead, and the moment when he finds a vase of dahlias on his desk is absolutely beautiful. He can't grow flowers because "Elizabeth" believes they attract earwigs! This is a wonderful glimpse into his miserable home life, from which he gets a brief chance of escape. But it proves all too heartbreakingly brief. Watching the two of them act out these poignant, emotional scenes, then realising that both of them are themselves long gone, gives you an insight into our mortality, what a short time we spend in this life, and... Maybe we should grab these opportunities to find happiness when they come along?

This episode stands out from the usual farcical theme of Dads Army. It is poignant, romantic and thoughtful. It parodies the final scene of Brief Encounter the 1945 film based on Noel Cowards one act play of the 1930's. The episode begins with the usual characters and thier charming traits, but develops into an unspoken romance performed by two outstanding actors who develop a relationship that is bound to fail because Mainwaring is locked in his unhappy marriage to a wife who is indifferent to his exploits as a Captain in the Home Guard and he is drawn to the warmth of Mrs Gray who listens to his opinions finding that they have much in common but have met too late in life to fulfil what could have been...

What an absolute belter of an episode. Captain Mainwarring decides to enlist the help of the local women, and ends up falling for one of the volunteers, Mrs Grey.

This one is funny, moving, sweet and utterly engaging. We get to see a totally different side of Captain Mainwaring's character, always so proper and poised, it's so good to see him vulnerable and helpless. The ending was intensely moving, after only thirty minutes the on screen relationship was superbly played out, two magical performances, Arthur Lowe magical as ever, but the wonderful Carmen Silvera, best known for playing the brash Madame Edith in Allo Allo is subtle, dignified, and just lovely. Very 'Brief Encounter.'

I must admit the appearance of Pamela Cundell always makes an episode extra special, Mrs Fox was just glorious, so wonderfully warm and hugely funny. The scene where Mainwaring and Wilson interview her is the funniest moment, so funny. I'm glad she'd appear more frequently.

What's not to love, this is utterly charming. 9/10