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Original poster

Only Fools and Horses

216 replies

DailyPotion · 21/12/2020 07:57

It's iconic but I've never watched them all, not sure why, but have just seen occasional episodes.

In need of some light relief, I thought I'd have a go at watching them from the beginning. I only made it half way through the first episode.

Even if you leave aside the casual racism and sexism that was of its time, the Del Boy/Rodney relationship is abusive, not funny, isn't it?

OP posts:
user1471565182 · 21/12/2020 10:24

I think Denzel and his wife were quitepioneering characters at the time. A black couple who wernt there just to be the target of shit racist jokes.

itsgettingweird · 21/12/2020 10:25

@TriflePudding

If you had carried on watching you would get a better sense of the relationship/dynamic which is that Del was a father figure to Rodney as their actual father was abusive.

Sure it was ‘of its time’ in the sense of the dialogue but the characters and storyline are really heart warming. And if you watch you will see a lot of acceptance of people for who they are not their social standing etc.

You don’t have to like the programme, or watch it, just probably don’t assume everything about it based on watching 15 minutes of it.

This.
user1471565182 · 21/12/2020 10:26

I always sort of think its overrated then I go back to ones like the one were rodney has to pretend to be a kid on holiday and it could be brilliant. Cassandra was a terrible actor though.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

TV
itsgettingweird · 21/12/2020 10:26

@BillieLurk

Apart from the explosive blow up dolls episode 😂

And the bar episode... and the chandelier.

And the episode in Spain when Grandad gets arrested.

All very funny.

Have to also add the one where they run through the streets as Batman and Robin!

formerbabe · 21/12/2020 10:28

I'm a huge fan...been to the ofah convention...watched every episode hundreds of times. No the relationship between them wasn't abusive

Bibidy · 21/12/2020 10:29

LOL it's not abusive, they are brothers and Del has raised him since he was tiny!

When it comes down to it Del will do anything to help or protect him and that is demonstrated in several episodes. He loves Rodney!

user1471565182 · 21/12/2020 10:29

Oh yeah that bit where they run past and save the councillor dressed as batman and robin is one of my favourite comedy bits. Ruined it by getting them rich though.

formerbabe · 21/12/2020 10:31

Del is actually an amazing brother who raised him and supported him since Rodney was a toddler. He sacrificed a lot for him. Ever seen the episode where they are going to emigrate to Australia...Del is accepted but Rodney has a conviction for drugs so isn't. Del really wants to go but doesn't as he won't leave Rodney

StreetHaunting · 21/12/2020 10:33

There are some really touching moments as well, notably Cassandra and Rodneys wedding, at the end when 'Holding back the years' plays - that always makes me cry.
Also the episode where Damien is born, that episode goes from some absolutely hilarious moments to really heartwarming moments, especially the ending, it is so sweet and again always makes me cry!

formerbabe · 21/12/2020 10:34

@StreetHaunting

There are some really touching moments as well, notably Cassandra and Rodneys wedding, at the end when 'Holding back the years' plays - that always makes me cry. Also the episode where Damien is born, that episode goes from some absolutely hilarious moments to really heartwarming moments, especially the ending, it is so sweet and again always makes me cry!
I always cry when Rodney and Cassandra get married. Remember Del gets beaten up by the Driscoll brothers because he has given the money he owes them to Rodney for his flat deposit.
Fredelliottisayfredelliott · 21/12/2020 10:35

It's an absolute classic and I love it. People absolutely love to be offended these days Hmm

LittleBearPad · 21/12/2020 10:38

There are some really touching moments as well, notably Cassandra and Rodneys wedding, at the end when 'Holding back the years' plays - that always makes me cry.
Also the episode where Damien is born, that episode goes from some absolutely hilarious moments to really heartwarming moments, especially the ending, it is so sweet and again always makes me cry!

Cassandra’s miscarriage is such a sad episode and shows the impact on Rodney which isn’t typical even now.

StreetHaunting · 21/12/2020 10:39

@formerbabe yes! Del Boy really cares for Rodney as if he is his son, no matter what he is always there for him.

LittleBearPad · 21/12/2020 10:40

@Mrgrinch

www.mylondon.news/lifestyle/lifestyle-opinion/i-watched-only-fools-horses-19429327

Also quite convenient that your thread is practically word for word a copy of this article I read last week.

Goodness that article is tedious.
StreetHaunting · 21/12/2020 10:40

@LittleBearPad I was just going to mention that episode! They manage to deal with such a sad subject, yet still have funny moments and deal with it in such a sensitive way.

Mrgrinch · 21/12/2020 10:43

@LittleBearPad it's awful isn't it. Much like this thread in my opinion. How can someone form an opinion of a sitcom that ran for years, based on half of the first episode?

AliceMcK · 21/12/2020 10:46

OFFS it’s a show of it’s time, if it was made now of course it would be different.

It’s a classic, it’s fantastic leave it the fuck alone!

AliceMcK · 21/12/2020 10:47

P.s I only opened this thread because I thought it would be a fun OFAH thread 😤

LittleBearPad · 21/12/2020 10:50

@AliceMcK

P.s I only opened this thread because I thought it would be a fun OFAH thread 😤
Still could be Alice. Let’s fight back 😁

Rodney in the Groovy Gang.

formerbabe · 21/12/2020 10:50

Whilst a lot of the comments make us wince nowadays, Del and Rodney were not at all racist...they lived in a diverse area, their friends were a diverse group of people, they would help anyone regardless of colour.

x2boys · 21/12/2020 10:56

Love only fools and horses ,the one where they think they have brought back an illegal immigrant and call him Gary makes me cry with laughter every time ,.

Jobseeker19 · 21/12/2020 11:00

Jolly boys outing, is my favourite. I've seen it hundreds of times. Even my children find it funny.

whydoesitalwayshappentome · 21/12/2020 11:07

I love Only Fools and Horses. I love the two episodes where Del and Rodney are in Miami. You are overthinking it not being of this time, of course it isn't. Is it a little light of entertainment to cheer the soul?, yes it is.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 21/12/2020 11:16

Defo weren’t racist, they are very much of their era with some of their comments etc but there was never any malice and Denzel and his wife as characters (I agree) were revolutionary for their time.

John Sullivan was a fantastic writer, a comedy genius.
Chain Gang is my fav episode.
My only gripe is they should have left them after they became millionaires and ignored Freddie the Frog references - ruined the magic to me.

PuppyMonkey · 21/12/2020 11:19

I like it mainly for Boycie’s laugh. Grin