In the penultimate episode of the show the men prepare to go home. It's one of those episodes that's less interested in the original premise of the show than in chronicling the life of soldiers in India/Burma. With the end of their artificial family nearing, the men don't quite know how to react to the change. For months (years?) they lived together, and now they'll probably never see each other again. I've seen this happen in real life. And it's probably something every soldier has gone through. When one of them has to stay behind for a few more weeks, you sense the confusion. The urge to go home proves to be bigger than any feelings of solidarity. It seems cruel, but it's realistic. That the writers choose (spoiler alert) Lofty as the victim just emphasizes the problem. On the other hand, his manic race to catch up with the rest brings back some comedy to the episode.
And then there's the racism problem. The show did get some criticism for the way it depicted Indians, especially when they were played by white actors. It seems the writers were aware of this. When Dino Shafeek's character dreams about coming to Britain, his words are so ironic that the writers must have chosen them to point out that they understood they difficult situation of Indians in Britain. Also, the character of Muhammed gets a nice, sentimental scene at the end. He's the least selfish of all, and he's the one left behind.moreless
AIRED:
As the men prepare to return to England, one of them fails to get the necessary inoculations.
 Melvyn Hayes |
Gunner/Bombardier 'Gloria' Beaumont |
Kenneth MacDonald |
Gunner 'Nobby' Clark |
Donald Hewlett |
Colonel Charles Reynolds |
Michael Knowles |
Captain Tarquin Ashwood |
John Clegg |
Gunner 'Padoruski' Graham |
Don Estelle |
Gunner 'Lofty' Sugden |
Ishaq Bux |
Garage owner |
Guest Star |
John D. Collins |
Medical Officer |
Guest Star |
Colin Haigh |
Medical Orderly |
Guest Star |
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (2)
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In the previous episode the villagers returned to the camp and the men moaned about having to wait a long time for their demob. In this one the villagers are nowhere to be seen and the soldiers suddenly prepare for their voyage to England.
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Muhammad: If I could live in England, they could shout at me and call me rude names all day. It would be bliss.
The show has often been accused of (unconsciously) flirting with racism. A joke like this, towards the end of the series, is either very stupid or quite provocative.
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QUOTES (2)
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Sergeant Major Williams: It's my experience of soldiers, sir, that once they get some money, they fitter it away on drink and women. Now, this lot being poofs, that just leaves the drink. With respect, sir, we could be turning them into alcoholics.
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Colonel Reynolds: You're quite good company in your own self-effacing sort of way.
Captain Ashwood: Thank you, sir. I must say, your cheerful optimism has kept me going no matter how gloomy everything may have seemed at the time.
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NOTES (2)
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The medical officer is the fourth character John D. Collins plays in this series.
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Music: The men perform "Dames", the classic song by Harry Warren and Al Dubin (1933).
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ALLUSIONS (1)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
Sergeant Major Williams: (seeing Lofty) As I live and breathe, it's the little Caruso.
Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) was one of the most famous tenors in opera history.
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Season 8 Episodes
See AllEp 7
The Last Roll Call
Ep 6
The Long Road Home
Ep 5
Never The Twain Shall Meet
Ep 4
The Last Warrior
Ep 3
Aquastars
Ep 2
Money Talks
Ep 1
Gloria's Finest Hour
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