From Fulham With Love

Episode Overview

Arthur is reluctantly forced to give ‘er indoors nephew Nigel a job, a scruffy punk who has a swastika tattooed on his forehead and is seemingly hopeless at everything he does – apart from sewing which he learnt at detention centre. Arthur is also approached by Ernie, who has got to know some of the Russian seaman currently docked in London. Ernie’s new business partner, Russian sailor Sergei, is very keen on buying plenty of goods from Arthur in order to resell them back in Russia to turn a profit for himself. Arthur gets Nigel to start sewing some motifs on the gear he wants to sell Sergei.

All seems to go to plan until Arthur is paid in roubles, which he soon discovers he is unable to exchange at the bank. When Sergei decides to take a day out up west with Ernie, the attractive Natasha, the Russians ship’s bosun and political officer, tracks down Arthur and Terry as she believes that Sergei is about to defect. Worried that not helping may lead to difficulties with the KGB, Arthur agrees to do his best to track down Sergei. Meanwhile Chisholm, who has arrested Arthur’s nephew Nigel, finally catches up with Arthur, Terry and the Russians arresting them all on the spot. As soon as they have been arrested, they are quickly released under the instruction of DCI Norton, who wants to avoid a possible diplomatic incident.

Cast

Glynn Edwards as Dave, Patrick Malahide as DS Chisholm, Rula Lenska as Natasha, Joe Melia as Ernie, Michael Gothard as Sergei, Michael Povey as DC Jones, Jonathan Warren as Nigel, Tony Caunter as Chief Insp. Norton, Czeslaw Grocholski as Russian Captain, Alexei Jawdokimov as Vladimir, Mitzi Mueller as Lubov, Paul Haley as Police Sergeant, Richard Piper as Micky Coyne, Bill Thomas as Ronnie, April Walker as Bank Teller, Claire Davenport as Nigel’s Mum, Peter Majer as 1st Russian Crewman, David Marrick as 2nd Russian Crewman

Facts

Claire Davenport who appears very briefly as Nigel’s mum is probably more recognisable from her role as the argumentative Mrs. Wilson from the ‘Fawlty Towers’ episode ‘The Germans’. Long before Ray Daley ever appeared, this is the first mention of Arthur having a nephew, albeit from ‘er indoors side of the family.

Double Take

This is the second of three appearances in the series by Rula Lenska – playing a different character each time. She had previously appeared in #3.7 The Birdman Of Wormwood Scrubs and would later appear in #7.4 The Last Video Show. Tony Caunter, who plays DCI Norton has previously appeared as the same character in #5.9 Around The Corner. The Bank teller at the start of this episode (at the same counter which would feature in the next episode in the series #6.6 Waiting For Goddard) was played by April Walker, who had previously appeared as a juror in #3.11 Poetic Justice, Innit? and would later appear in #7.5 Fiddler On The Hoof. David Marrick who plays the 2nd Russian Crewman would later reappear as Henri in #8.10 Too Many Crooks.

Bloopers: None found.

Title: A reference to the 1963 James Bond film ‘From Russia With Love’.