Big Brother

Del makes a dodgy deal with Trigger for some reject briefcases and Rodney thinks he deserves a more involved role in the family business.

This is a strong start for the Trotters as John Sullivan establishes the characters and tone of the series. The plot is pretty simple and the characters dominate the episode to such an extent we get to know exactly who everyone is and what behaviour we can expect from them from now on.

It contains some classic back and forth between Del, Rodney and Grandad which for me is what makes the series so great. Punchlines flow constantly and the actors deliver them with great comic timing. From this very first episode the chemistry seems to be exceptional.

The only downside is the short sequence filmed on locations around London that has aged pretty poorly.

It's definitely one worth watching to see where the series began and enjoy the banter.

The episode that started it all, and it's actually one of the best from the 1st series.

With some lovely interactions between the leads and a decent story being told, the quality, while still a work in progress, is clear.

Grandad Rodney and finally Del Boy first appearance in the first episode in that order. Three guys in a flat watching tv. Within four minutes John Sullivan as explained through the characters the dynamics of there relationship. By the time del orders drinks in the nags head. There history as unfolded in front of your eyes. This surely is the magic that follows the show all the years magic stories told funny.

There were a number of classic episodes in the opening series of arguably Britain's most popular ever sitcom but although this isn't one of them, things do get off to a fine start with the emphasis here as much on character-fleshing as laugh-out-loud comedy moments. Del Boy is soon established as a fast-talking eternal optimist with a penchant for diving into deals ( one-legged turkeys and reject briefcases ) without, and invariably with subsequent regret, asking too many questions first. No exotic cocktails yet, just halves of lager. Rodney's already doing plenty of whining and moaning and wastes no time in having a big fall-out with Del ( in which they both declared that the other had been an embarrassment to them ) before attempting to leave home ( albeit for 6 days ). Grandad is lazy, work-shy ( a lamplighters waiting for gas to make a comeback ), none-too-bright ( tries to play draughts on a computer chess game ), stubborn ( it's Sidney Potter ) but, most of all, lovable. Trigger's negotiations with Del about the briefcases leaves no-one in any doubt that he's not the sharpest tool in the box and don't blink or you'll miss an uncredited cameo by Tessa-Peake Jones who, of course, went on to play Raquel, though not in this episode.

No classic comedy moments to speak of but the Trotters saga was off and running.

Interesting to go back and rewatch this. Establishes the brothers relationship well and gives you an idea of what their personalities will be like and how they'll handle potential situations. There's some real clever lines and a great set-up and the start that builds up an excellent scene at the end.

We get some backstory on Rodney and some hilarious scenes with Granddad. Learning that his cooking skills aren't the best, which is something we see a lot of in the show. The burger scene is one that stuck in my memory and I comes to mind quite randomly for me as well as the start scene with the actor on TV.