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"Prisoner and Escort" is the pilot episode of the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
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sitcom
A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...
''
Porridge
Porridge is a food made by heating or boiling ground, crushed or chopped starchy plants, typically grain, in milk or water. It is often cooked or served with added flavourings such as sugar, honey, (dried) fruit or syrup to make a sweet cereal, ...
''. It was originally broadcast on 1 April 1973 as part of a series of pilot shows with the overall title ''
Seven of One
''Seven of One'' was a British comedy series that aired on BBC2 in 1973. Starring Ronnie Barker, ''Seven of One'' was a series of seven separate comedies that would serve as possible pilots for sitcoms. Originally it was to be called ''Six of O ...
''. In this episode,
Norman Stanley Fletcher
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.
In the pilot episode, Fletcher claims to Mr Barrowclou ...
is transported from London to Slade Prison by
Mr Mackay
''Porridge (1974 TV series), Porridge'' is a British sitcom, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC One, BBC1 from 1974 to 1977. The programme ran for three series, and includ ...
and
Mr Barrowclough.
Synopsis
The episode opens at
St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station (), also known as London St Pancras or St Pancras International and officially since 2007 as London St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus on Euston Road in the London Borough of Camden. It is ...
, with a voice-over of the titular character Norman Stanley Fletcher being sentenced to five years in prison. When asked if he has anything to say before sentence is passed, the film jumps to Fletcher on a train saying "Cobblers". Fletcher soon finds out that his prison escort Mr Mackay is very strict and doesn't allow him to read his paper. Mr Barrowclough is softer, and tries to be friendly towards Fletcher. It turns out that Mr Mackay is unhappy about having to do a prison escort on New Year's Eve.
In the North of England, McKay and Barrowclough take Fletcher into a prison van for the next part of their journey. It soon transpires that Slade Prison is in the middle of nowhere, miles away from the nearest village. Fletcher asks to use the bathroom, but Mackay does not allow this, as he is handcuffed to Fletcher. Mackay instead allows Fletcher to go quickly behind the van. Fletcher eyes up the fuel cap, implying that he is going to urinate in the petrol tank.
Later, their vehicle breaks down. Mackay goes for help, leaving Fletcher alone with Barrowclough. It soon gets dark, and Fletcher persuades Barrowclough to let them take shelter in a nearby cottage. Barrowclough is doubtful that the cottage is occupied, but Fletcher reassures Barrowclough that he is "only an experienced house-breaker after all".
At midnight, Fletcher and Barrowclough wish each other a happy new year. Fletcher offers Barrowclough some whisky, which he claims "fell out of Mr Mackay's pocket". They soon get drunk, and Fletcher persuades Barrowclough to take the handcuffs off him. With Barrowclough asleep, Fletcher attempts to escape. Due to the darkness, Fletcher goes round in circles, and is severely disappointed to discover that he ends up back at the cottage with Barrowclough. Fletcher pretends that he was going out for milk, but Barrowclough tells Fletcher that he could have got lost.
Finally, Fletcher arrives in Slade Prison, and Mackay informs Fletcher that the mechanic's report of the vehicle found something other than petrol in the tank. Mackay warns Fletcher he'll be keeping a close watch on Fletcher, but Barrowclough tells Fletcher that he is pleased because the Governor congratulated him on keeping his cool during a difficult situation. Barrowclough says he will do his best to help Fletcher out.
Location
The outdoor scenes for this episode were filmed in South Wales rather than between London and Cumberland. The railway station was at
Ystrad Mynach
Ystrad Mynach is a town in the Caerphilly County Borough, within the ancient county of Glamorgan, Wales, and is north of the town of Caerphilly. The urban area has a population of 19,204, and stands in the Rhymney Valley. Before the Industrial ...
. The breakdown was filmed on the mountain road and a farm at
Gelligaer
Gelligaer ( cy, Gelli-gaer ) is a community in the County Borough of Caerphilly, Wales, in the Rhymney River valley. As well as the village of Gelligaer, the community also includes the small towns of Hengoed and Ystrad Mynach. The population ...
.
[As reported on "Porridge: Inside Out" UK Gold channel. Viewed 13 March 2015]
Episode Cast
References
{{Porridge
1973 British television episodes
British television series premieres
Porridge (1974 TV series) episodes