Go West Young Man

The 1st series of the show wasn't consistently good, but this episode is certainly up there with the best of the lot.

With some lovely interactions, a nice introduction to Boycie and a strong storyline, albeit one that tails off at the end perhaps, this is good fun.

Del borrows Boycie's E-Type Jaguar to take Rodney for night out 'up west'.

This is a brilliant early episode with both a funny plot and fabulous dialogue in practically every scene.

For the first time we experience Rodney moping over a girl and he gets only ridicule from Del and Granddad.

We see Del's salesmanship in action for the first time as he sells a clapped out old Cortina, which Rodney describes as a death trap, to an Australian punter.

We are introduced to Boycie who's personality immediately bounces off Del's and we see how he will fit into the show as a recurring supporting character. A perfect example of the Thatcherite businessman, but with a far more blunt and aggressive attitude than Del.

The finest moments come in the nightclubs up West as Del and Rodney discuss why Rodney's relationship ended and then proceed to go on the pull. Some of the lines in these scenes are pure gold and David Jason and Nicolas Lyndhurst deliver them with pitch perfect comic timing.

It all ends with a scene that comically ties up a loose end from an earlier part of the story.

I never get tired of watching this one and think it is one of the best of the entire series.

In some respects, this episode might have been a better pilot than Big Brother was. It has good pace, it is well written and is genuinely very funny. I'm glad I purchased the boxset of OFAH when I did, the way things are going some of the episodes might be heavilly edited if they are repeated on TV in the near future.

Some of the best OFAH moments are when Del, Rodney and co are just sitting about chatting, either in the flat or (in this case) nightclubs.

Nothing like the quality of writing we'd see in future seasons but definitely a highlight of season 1. Well worth a re-watch.