Kurt at 13:10, 17 March 2023

2023-03-17T13:10:29Z

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en>Rodw: Disambiguating links to Porridge (disambiguation) (link changed to Porridge (1974 TV series); link changed to Porridge (1974 TV series)) using DisamAssist.

2023-01-02T09:42:52Z

Disambiguating links to Porridge (disambiguation) (link changed to Porridge (1974 TV series); link changed to Porridge (1974 TV series)) using DisamAssist.

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Porridge (1974 TV series)|Porridge]]
| image =
| caption =
| season =
| episode = Christmas Special 2
| airdate = {{Start date|1976|12|24|df=yes}}
| production =
| writer = [[Dick Clement]]<br>[[Ian La Frenais]]
| director = [[Sydney Lotterby]]
| guests =
| episode_list = List of Porridge episodes
| prev = [[No Way Out (Porridge)|No Way Out]]
| next = [[A Storm in a Teacup (Porridge)|A Storm in a Teacup]]
}}
"'''The Desperate Hours'''" is the second [[Christmas special]] of the [[BBC]] [[sitcom]] ''[[Porridge (1974 TV series)|Porridge]]''. It first aired on 24 December 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0676973/|title=Original Air Date (The Desperate Hours)|date=|work=IMDB|accessdate=5 August 2014}}</ref> In this episode, Fletcher and Godber are in trouble for brewing [[liquor]] in the lead-up to [[Christmas]], but are caught up in a [[hostage]] situation in the Governor's office. It was the only episode of Porridge to air in 1976.

==Synopsis==
It is nearly time for Christmas, and Fletcher has been making [[wine]] for the prisoners of Slade Prison. The Governor, who is strictly [[teetotal]], has a [[zero tolerance]] on illicit drinking in Slade Prison. After Mr Barrowclough fails to discover [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] in Fletcher and Godber's cell, Fletcher reveals to Godber that he hid the booze in their metal bedpost. Unfortunately, Mr Mackay catches them in the act, and takes them to see the Governor.

It turns out that the Governor is feeling ill with an [[upset stomach]], and has to keep running to the toilet. Urwin, the new [[Trusty system (prison)|trusty]], comes in with the Governor's cup of tea. As the Governor is making another visit to the toilet, Urwin reveals his plan. He produces a gun and takes Barrowclough and the Governor's secretary, Mrs Jamieson, hostage.

Urwin makes Mackay leave and forces Barrowclough to phone the nearest [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] base to demand a [[helicopter]] and [[pound sterling|£]]10,000 in used notes. Word soon gets out about the [[kidnapping]]; however, Fletcher and Godber are also implicated in it. Mackay arrives with several cups of coffee, which Urwin accepts. One of these cups is drugged, and intended to knock out Urwin, but Barrowclough messes up the procedure and Fletcher drinks it instead and falls asleep.

While Fletcher is fast asleep, it is revealed that Barrowclough has been having an [[affair]] with Mrs Jamieson. Upon waking up, Fletcher requests to look at Urwin's file. It turns out that he has been recommended for [[psychiatric treatment]] several times before, but has been turned down. Fletcher persuades Urwin to give him the gun and to give himself up. Godber is amazed at Fletcher's [[bravery]], but Fletcher knew the gun was a fake as he saw Urwin make it in the hobby shop. Fletcher fires the gun in the air to prove his point, and the shot hits the ceiling, showering them with plaster, meaning that the gun was in fact loaded. Luckily, no one is hurt.

Later, Barrowclough visits Fletcher and informs him that Urwin is now receiving psychiatric treatment like he requested. Also, the charges against Fletcher and Godber of brewing the illegal alcohol have been dropped. Barrowclough asks Fletcher to forget about the affair between him and Mrs Jamieson. Fletcher points out that he was asleep during this revelation, but then calls Barrowclough "Henry", revealing that he was not entirely unconscious and had heard the conversation.

==Episode cast==
{| class="wikitable"
! Actor
! Role
|-
| [[Ronnie Barker]]
| Norman Stanley Fletcher
|-
| [[Brian Wilde]]
| Mr Barrowclough
|-
| [[Fulton Mackay]]
| Mr Mackay
|-
| [[Richard Beckinsale]]
| Lennie Godber
|-
| [[Dudley Sutton]]
| Reg Urwin
|-
| [[Sam Kelly]]
| Warren
|-
| [[Tony Osoba]]
| McLaren
|-
| [[Ken Wynne]]
| Keegan
|-
| [[Michael Redfern]]
| Tulip
|-
| [[Michael Barrington]]
| Governor Venables
|-
| [[Jane Wenham (actress)|Jane Wenham]]
| Mrs Jamieson
|-
| [[Pat Gorman]]
| Prisoner Officer (uncredited)
|-
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Porridge}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Desperate Hours}}
[[Category:Porridge (1974 TV series) episodes]]
[[Category:British Christmas television episodes]]
[[Category:1976 British television episodes]]

The Desperate Hours (Porridge) - Revision history

Kurt at 13:10, 17 March 2023

Kurt: 1 revision imported

en>Rodw: Disambiguating links to Porridge (disambiguation) (link changed to Porridge (1974 TV series); link changed to Porridge (1974 TV series)) using DisamAssist.