Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell

Shelley 2.4

Plot-less. But intelligent, amusing and entertaining.

The first half is one long scene. A conversation. Nothing much happens.

The second half has two short scenes at the very end, but it is mainly another long scene. And nothing much happens here either.

But the conversation is interesting. Very interesting. Shelley is being his usual chatty self while Fran is trying to read a book (by George Orwell). Discussion turns to the baby, and then to the miracle of life itself. And, eventually, to the nature of reality and existence. Not your usual sitcom fare.

Things pick up considerably, after the commercial break, when the wonderful Josephine Tewson shows up as Mrs. Hawkins. Fran is way too nice, and far too patient with Shelley. Mrs. Hawkins makes a great foil for our hero because she gets visibly exasperated by him and isn’t afraid to tell him what she thinks of him. Their exchanges are usually funny.

The final line of the episode provides a big laugh, too.

Shelley 2.1

Nicholas Courtney. A fast-paced half-hour about house-buying and mortgages.

There are two sources of humour here: Shelley’s constant jokes, and his mother. She’s a scream. Sylvia Kay is fab.

Except for the aforementioned sources of humour, it’s a pretty dry story. Very much a nuts-and-bolts approach to the details of the task-at-hand. Scenes are short and the plot jumps forward a lot each time.

If not for Hywel Bennett, the show would be lost. His pitch-perfect delivery always provokes a chuckle or a laugh.

Despite what they are actually saying to one another(!), there is a lovely sense of affection between all the characters. Shelly and his mum have an openness between them that is rather endearing to observe and it’s a pity she’s not a regular part of the show. Likewise, the final scene, with Mrs. Hawkins is lovely for the exact same reason. Despite the dialogue, it’s obvious that she’s fond of this pair, and they of her.