 |
| "Final Stretch" | |
|---|---|
| Porridge episode | |
| Episode no. | Series 3 Episode 6 |
| Directed by | Sydney Lotterby |
| Written by | Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais |
| Original air date | 25 March 1977 |
"Final Stretch" is the final episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge, the sixth episode of the third series. It first aired on 25 March 1977. Godber's upcoming parole hearing is threatened by the prospect of a fight with fellow inmate Jarvis. Meanwhile, Fletcher is suspicious of his daughter's holiday plans.
The episode opens during the prisoners' visiting hour. Fletcher’s daughter Ingrid tells him about her plans to go on holiday to Italy, which depresses him. Ingrid reassures Fletcher, reminding him that he only has just over a year left on his sentence.
Fletcher also learns that Ingrid and Godber have been keeping in touch as pen pals. Because Godber is to face the parole board in a week’s time, Fletcher suspects a relationship between him and Ingrid.
Later that day, a brawl takes place in the yard between Godber and convicted football hooligan Jarvis. Mr Barrowclough breaks up the fight and the two are brought before Mr Mackay. Godber and Jarvis pretend to be friends who were involved in "high spirits". Although they are let off with a warning, they challenge each other to another fight once out of earshot of the prison officers.
Fletcher criticises Godber for his poor judgement with his parole hearing imminent. Fletcher claims that if his parole hearing was close, he would not let any insult bother him. To further illustrate his point, Fletcher says that "turning the other cheek takes more bottle than fighting". However, Fletcher's main concern is that Jarvis is likely to seriously injure or even kill Godber.
During recreation hour, Jarvis goads Godber into another fight. Fletcher intervenes and lifts up the television set. Mackay orders everyone to stand still, and Fletcher pretends he was adjusting the set. However, the television now has a picture and Fletcher is forced to stand with it above his head while the other prisoners watch it.
That weekend, Fletcher decides he will have to confront Jarvis on Godber's behalf. It would mean Fletcher receiving solitary confinement and loss of remission, but Godber would be safe and have a clean record to take before the parole board.
In the yard, Fletcher confronts Jarvis and calls him "toilet mouth", but Jarvis laughs it off. Fletcher then makes a derogatory sexual joke about Jarvis' wife, but again Jarvis laughs it off. However, Jarvis tells the joke to Crusher and this causes a fight between Crusher and Jarvis' gang. The guards break up the fight, and Fletcher thanks God.
Godber is approved for parole and thanks Fletcher for willing to sacrifice his own remission for him. Godber admits to Fletcher that the Jarvis affair was due to Jarvis making an obscene remark about Ingrid. Fletcher is pleased that Godber was defending his family honour. Before he leaves, Godber confirms Fletcher's suspicions by saying he is going on holiday to Italy "with a friend".
Just under three weeks after Godber's departure, Mr Mackay visits Fletcher. Mackay comments how Fletcher's attitude has changed since Godber's release and that a new inmate called Nicholson will be Fletcher's cellmate. Fletcher tells Mackay he intends to tell the inmate three things, but only shows Mackay two fingers, before showing three fingers. This was another opportunity for Fletcher to stick the fingers at Mackay and get away with it. The episode ends on a freeze frame of Fletcher showing Mackay three fingers.
Porridge is a British sitcom, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977. The programme ran for three series and two Christmas specials. A feature film of the same name based on the series was released in 1979.
Norman Stanley Fletcher, commonly nicknamed "Fletch", is the main fictional character in the BBC sitcom Porridge, and the spin-off, Going Straight. He was played by Ronnie Barker.
"No Way Out" is the first Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1975. In this episode, prisoner Tommy Slocombe makes an escape attempt in the lead-up to Christmas.
"The Desperate Hours" is the second Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1976. 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.
"Happy Release" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 21 November 1975, and is the fifth episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher concocts a scheme to help another prisoner get revenge on someone for cheating them of their possessions.
"New Faces, Old Hands" is the first episode of British sitcom Porridge, produced for the BBC. It first aired on 5 September 1974, and forms part of the first series of the sitcom. The episode focuses on Norman Stanley Fletcher's arrival at Slade Prison alongside two others, where he attempts to manipulate things to his benefit.
"A Night In" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 19 September 1974, and is the third episode of the first series. A bottle episode, and the only one in which officers Mackay and Barrowclough did not appear, it focuses on Fletcher finding himself sharing a cell with Godber and developing a friendship with him, despite having to endure a difficult first night with him.
Porridge is a 1979 British comedy film based on the television series Porridge. It was released under the title Doing Time in the United States. Most of the warders and inmates from the original series appear in the film, with the notable exceptions of Lukewarm, Blanco, Heslop and Harris. There is also a different governor, played by Geoffrey Bayldon rather than series regular Michael Barrington.
"Prisoner and Escort" is the pilot episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It was originally broadcast on 1 April 1973 as part of a series of pilot shows with the overall title Seven of One. In this episode, Norman Stanley Fletcher is transported from London to Slade Prison by Mr Mackay and Mr Barrowclough.
"The Hustler" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, produced for the BBC. It first aired on 12 September 1974, and is the second episode of the first series. In this episode, Fletcher and his friends hold an illicit gambling syndicate under Mr Mackay's nose.
"Just Desserts" is an episode of the British Porridge. It first aired on 24 October 1975, and is the first episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher finds something he stole has since been stolen, and this soon causes problems for others.
"Heartbreak Hotel" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 31 October 1975, and is the second episode of the second series. In this episode, Fletcher becomes depressed after his daughter visits him, while Godber receives a letter from his fiancée with bad news.
"Disturbing the Peace" is an episode of the British sitcom Porridge, made for the BBC. It first aired on 7 November 1975, and is the third episode of the second series. In this episode, Mr Mackay leaves Slade Prison to go on a course, though the prisoners soon wish for him back when they discover how awful his replacement is.
"A Storm in a Teacup" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 18 February 1977. In this episode, Fletcher is tasked by Grouty to replace a bottle of pills Harris stole. But there is a surprise for Fletcher in his teacup.
"Poetic Justice" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 25 February 1977. A new inmate arrives at the prison, and Fletcher is astounded that the inmate is the judge who sentenced him.
"Rough Justice" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 4 March 1977. When Judge Rawley's watch is stolen, they hold a kangaroo court with Harris as the suspect.
"Pardon Me" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 11 March 1977. Blanco Webb is due to be paroled, but he doesn't accept it, as he would be admitting his guilt. Fletcher and the rest of Slade Prison petition to the Home Office for Blanco to be pardoned.
"A Test of Character" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It aired on 18 March 1977. Godber is studying for his O Level History exam, but doesn't want Fletcher's method of cheating. Meanwhile, Fletcher and Warren are having a dispute on the Solar System.
Porridge is a British television sitcom, starring Kevin Bishop, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC One. The show is a sequel to the original 1974 series of the same name, which both Clement and La Frenais wrote. The sitcom focuses on prison inmate, Nigel Norman Fletcher, the grandson of Norman Stanley Fletcher, who is sent to Wakeley Prison to serve a five year sentence for cyber crimes.