Father Ted

This is the first episode of Father Ted I ever saw, and still one of my favorites. It's quintessential Father Ted.



Dougal is as sweetly and charmingly idiotic as ever as he inadvertently causes one of the bishops to have a complete crisis of faith. And Ted trying to teach Jack two new phrases in preparation for the bishops' visit--"That would be an ecumenical matter" and "Yes"--is hysterical. In the end, of course, things don't go quite as Ted planned. One of the bishops becomes a hippie and another has an uncomfortably close encounter with the Holy Stone of Clonrichert. But with only one bishop dead, Ted counts the visit pretty successful.



A classic episode, very funny, with some of the best character moments in the series.

Just when you think it's safe to visit Craggy Island....



Not only is the momentary lull of not having Len/Bishop Brennan to host relaxes the audience, the getting Father Jack spiffed up comes along.



Actually, this episode puts me in mind of a domino art piece/Rube Goldberg invention. Everything is set up just right and then the bits fall into place. With this show, that's not a bad thing, as the anticipation of what you're sure is to follow is where the comedy comes from. Clever writers can give you a sly twist that's been set up in front of you as well. That's what we have here.



How our three priests take three perfectly happy bishops and then reduce the them to their various fates is wrong, and awful and hilarious. Mrs. Doyle has a couple of funny moments, as she does, and just owns them.



I love Dougal and Ted; their arguement over watching Aliens was just right as well.



Of course, this is the episode with the classic Jack line "That would be an ecumenical matter!" On paper, that seems pretty flat, but if you haven't tried the episode? Do so.



I find Jack a little bit sweet and rootable when trying to learn his phrases; if that's wrong, so be it! Frank Kelly obviously had fun and stole the show, as a whole.



I heartily recommend this episode (and this show) to folks not easily offended over religious humor.