The test of a really watchable/memorable episode is whether you'd make an effort to catch it again. I enjoyed this particular episode first time round because of the acting on show & clever twist. Watching it a second time, I appreciated the nuances of Peter Barkworth's performance as Richard, a man clearly hiding more than is willing to let on.
It is the tale of two veteran actors, Fergus & Richard, once close friends, but whose relationship came to an abrupt end after they became rivals in love with Richard carrying off the girl, who later became his wife. It is an excellently structured episode, the beginning setting each man's respective domestic situation- one has been put in the shade by his more successful wife, the other is a violent, abusive alcoholic - before they meet by chance in London's Theatreland ,and the final dramatic ending involving a car chase & accident at high speed.
What makes this episode special is the characterization of Fergus & Richard, excellently played by Whitrow & Barkworth, and the dialogue throughout including Richard's exchanges with his wife . This episode has some memorable lines which capture the bitchiness & latent aggression that can exist in male friendships. I loved the scene in the pub where the men act like a typical pair of luvvies reminiscing, with Richard regaling everyone with an anecdote about 'Noel' (Coward) as if the two had been on first name terms, only for Fergus to cut him rapidly down to size. Old resentments soon come to the fore. Fergus can barely contain his bitterness, whilst Richard eventually drops his guard to reveal his own discontent.
This episode does turn rather melodramatic, appearing slightly at odds with what has gone on before, but everything finally makes grim sense with regards to the final revelation. Richard's opening question in the pub, giving rise to the title of the episode, proves to be rather ironic when we discover the truth.
It is the tale of two veteran actors, Fergus & Richard, once close friends, but whose relationship came to an abrupt end after they became rivals in love with Richard carrying off the girl, who later became his wife. It is an excellently structured episode, the beginning setting each man's respective domestic situation- one has been put in the shade by his more successful wife, the other is a violent, abusive alcoholic - before they meet by chance in London's Theatreland ,and the final dramatic ending involving a car chase & accident at high speed.
What makes this episode special is the characterization of Fergus & Richard, excellently played by Whitrow & Barkworth, and the dialogue throughout including Richard's exchanges with his wife . This episode has some memorable lines which capture the bitchiness & latent aggression that can exist in male friendships. I loved the scene in the pub where the men act like a typical pair of luvvies reminiscing, with Richard regaling everyone with an anecdote about 'Noel' (Coward) as if the two had been on first name terms, only for Fergus to cut him rapidly down to size. Old resentments soon come to the fore. Fergus can barely contain his bitterness, whilst Richard eventually drops his guard to reveal his own discontent.
This episode does turn rather melodramatic, appearing slightly at odds with what has gone on before, but everything finally makes grim sense with regards to the final revelation. Richard's opening question in the pub, giving rise to the title of the episode, proves to be rather ironic when we discover the truth.
