If They Could See Us Now

If They Could See Us Now is an episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, first screened on 25 December, 2001 as the first part of the early 2000s Christmas trilogy. It was the most viewed television programme of the decade.

Synopsis

The episode opens with Del Boy and Rodney explaining their latest holiday to a barrister. While at a Caribbean resort Rodney feels guilty about not taking Uncle Albert with them, but is reminded that he's staying with Elsie Partridge and then mocks Albert's catchphrase "During the war..." as he heads to a bar with Del. Later Del learns that the Central American stock market has crashed, meaning the Trotters have lost all their money. The family escapes from the hotel without paying.

As he is entering a courtroom, Del explains that Mike is now in jail for embezzlement, and that he and Rodney had to sell their country mansion and penthouse suite in order to pay off debts. They do, however, still own their flat at Nelson Mandela House.

Back at the flat Del tells everyone that they owe a large sum to the Inland Revenue and risk being evicted from their flat. Elsie Partridge's son then phones to say that Albert has died and the family end up attending the wrong funeral. Later, Rodney agrees to become the new managing director of Trotters Independent Traders after Del is declared bankrupt.

A few days later, Rodney and Cassandra discuss how best to celebrate Rodney's promotion, eventually deciding on dressing up for each other. The next day, Mickey Pearce phones Rodney pretending to be an associate of the Sultan of Brunei. Later that night Del, Raquel, and Damien get ready to go out while Rodney listens to a Mozart record. Trigger arrives stating that Del promised him a lift to the pub despite the fact that he lives closer to the Nag's Head than the Trotters. A bit later, Cassandra - unaware that Del is still in the flat - enters the living room dressed as a policewoman followed by Rodney dressed as a Roman gladiator (supposed to be Russell Crowe, whom Cassandra fancies).

It turns out that Del is going to be a contestant on the gameshow Goldrush (a parody of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? featuring Jonathan Ross) and takes Damien and Raquel with him. Del manages to reach the "Rainbow Road" but has to phone Rodney when he doesn't know the answer to a question. Rodney mistakes Jonathan Ross for Mickey Pearce until he looks at the TV and then tries to help Del with the final question, but unfortunately answers incorrectly.

Raquel and Damien return home via taxi because Del ran off after losing. After he eventually returns, Del gets a phone call from the producer, telling them that he actually got the final question right. Unfortunately Del thinks that it's Mickey Pearce winding him up and tells him to give all the prize money to charity. The episode ends as Del triumphantly proclaims "We're the Trotters, and we're back!"

Dedications to Kenneth MacDonald and Buster Merryfield are shown after the ending credits.

Changes to script

Originally the episode was going to feature Del Boy appearing on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire with Chris Tarrant but due to copyright issues and general rivalry between the BBC and ITV (who air the show) the idea had to be changed and script was re-written.

External links

• "If They Could See Us Now" at bbc.co.uk