Only Fools and Horses (TV Series) Healthy Competition (1983) User Reviews

They're broken lawnmower engines!

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 21 September 2020]

Rodney breaks up the partnership with Del and goes into business with Mickey Pearce.

Healthy Competition is a good episode that mixes more great Trotter banter, excellent character moments and situational comedy. We know it's not going to go well for Rodney's new venture, but how much is Del going to let him stew before lending a protective brotherly hand?

It starts off with a moderately funny site gag that serves as a catalyst for Rodney's big decision. This leads to all manner of comedic moments as Rodney's situation develops and Del and Granddad become equally as amused as they are concerned about his predicament.

We have some superb banter from the central three characters, one line from Leonard Pearce is wonderfully timed and epically delivered. There is also a tinge of seriousness to the way things turn out with Mickey as we see how badly Rodney has been stung on his first attempt to stand on his own two feet. This drives the plot towards moments that show the love Del has for his younger brother.

They're Not Just Ordinary Lawnmower Engines...

[Lunerar · 7/10 · 14 June 2020]

A first appearance of Mickey Pearce and more world-building help make for another good episode.

Again the brotherly connection shines through and this is greatly helped by the chemistry of Del and Rodney. I believe that Nicolas Lyndhurst was cast almost straight away but it took a while for David Jason to be cast. Now it's hard to imagine the show without either. It's as though they were made for the roles.

Great performances and ever-improving scripts for the actors to work with.

Classic episode with brilliant opening sequence and some of the best lines in the shows history.

[maureen_smith5 · 10/10 · 9 April 2015]

This episode for me is one of the funniest in Only Fools long history with a classic opening sequence and some truly laugh out load moments.

The plot is about Rodney having enough of Del treating him as a dogsbody and decides to set up a business with dopey mate Mickey Pearce but after Del says he has to pay his own way with everything and Mickey scarpers Rodney wants back as Del's partner.

Best moments include the quite amazing opening sequence of Del being chased by a cop through a shop then alleyway until a cat and a lot of dogs help him out or Del telling Granddad about the times Rodney has let him down as a lookout(this was not one copper he failed to warn me about Granddad it was a entire squad car,it stood there big and white with a red stripe going through it like a tube of Signal)or Rodney and Mickey buying broken lawnmower engines or Granddad thinking his strawberries aren't very big to which Del says(what do you mean aren't very big you wouldn't want one of those up your nose for a walk would you)or off course the classic line 'what you got a Wendy house'.

A classic and side splitting episode with a fantastic opening five minutes,the introduction of Mickey Pearce and Del's mate Towser(even though its his only appearance)and one of the funniest lines in television history from Granddad.

Healthy Competition

[studioAT · 10/10 · 13 April 2023]

This is an excellent episode of 'Only Fools and Horses' - surely up there with the best of those that were 30 mins in length.

There are so many iconic lines in this episode from writer/creator John Sullivan and the pace purrs along, with the final twist being hysterical no matter how many times I see it.

I love 'Only Fools' , but even as a fan I'd say that there are some episodes I wouldn't rush to see again.

This is not one of them, it's pure joy from start to finish and sums up everything that is good about this beloved BBC sitcom.

To this day I still don't think John Sullivan gets enough credit.