Mother Nature’s Son
The regular series Only Fools And Horses had come to an end in 1991. However the series would return annually as a Christmas Special.
These regular Christmas outings continued until 1993. After 1993 the specials took a break, before returning again in 1996 for those “final” episodes.
Mother Nature’s Son was the second of Christmas Specials that followed after the series proper had ended and the eleventh since the show had started back in 1981.
John Sullivan got the idea for the script from a real-life incident where people had their water supply closed as something had been dumped in a nearby reservoir.
Summary
A genuine Trotter classic. Del and Rodney are strapped for Christmas cash. To make matters worse, whilst Cassandra finally has her promotion, Raquel is suffering from post-natal depression. Rodney is concerned that Del has lost his drive.
When confronted, Del explains that on top of his woes, the council have approved his application to buy their flat in Nelson Mendela House, doubling the rent. On top of that, Grandad’s allotment has become a health hazard and he has to clear it.
Whilst clearing the allotment Del discovers several barrels of yellow liquid. Enlisting Trigger and Denzil, they are disposed of during the night.
However, the yellow barrels are not the only thing Del discovers. There appears to be a small spring that doesn’t yet attract Del’s interest.
Accompanying Rodney to a health food shop Del is shocked at the price of bottled water, remembering the spring at the allotment he spots what he sees as a gap in the market, Del decides to bottle tap water and sell it as Peckham Spring Water.
Back in the money both couples enjoy a romantic evening… until they see a news flash about a major water contamination, caused by Del’s barrels.
There appears to be major water leak causing problems with supplies, enter one Del Boy Trotter and an allotment spring that turns out to be nothing more than a water leak.
Clips
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Cast
David Jason = Del Boy
Nicholas Lyndhurst – Rodney
Buster Merryfield – Uncle Albert
Tessa Peake-Jones – Raquel
Gwyneth Strong – Cassandra
Details
Channel: BBC1
Written By: John Sullivan
Produced By : Gareth Gwenlan
Original Transmission Date: 25th December 1992