The Class of '62

Only Fools and Horses episode
"The Class of '62"
Series	7
Writer	John Sullivan
Director	Tony Dow
Producer	Gareth Gwenlan
Duration	50 minutes 48:45 (DVD) 49:10 (iTunes)
Airdate	20 January, 1991
Audience	16.2 million

"The Class of '62" is an episode of the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses. It was the fourth episode of series 7, and was first broadcast on 20 January, 1991.

Synopsis

While Raquel receives a letter from her solicitors about how they've traced her ex-husband, who is considering the filing for a divorce, Del Boy and Rodney receive a fax on their new Futafax machine from Mike that there's a reunion for the 1962 class of the Martin Luther King Comprehensive School (formerly Dockside Secondary Modern) at the Nag's Head.

At the reunion, Del, Rodney, Boycie, Trigger, and Denzil all wonder who arranged it all; the mystery organiser turns out to be despised ex-police officer Roy Slater. Slater tells them about how the five years he served in prison for the diamond smuggling incident and the death of his father changed him for the better. Del and friends agree to forgive Slater and head back to Nelson Mandela House for drinks and to reminisce about their schooldays. After Denzil, Trigger, and Boycie all go home, Raquel enters the flat and is horrified to see Slater who, it emerges, is her ex-husband. Despite a furious argument between Slater and the group, the Trotters reluctantly let him stay for the night.

Later that night, Del, Rodney, and Albert discuss what would happen if anyone found out that Raquel was married to the hated Slater, which would result in Del's image being tarnished and many of his associates refusing to do business with him. Del discovers Slater's wallet and finds a post-nuptial agreement intended for Raquel to sign, in which she would waive her rights to his coming inheritance. They also discover another document from a Bond Street diamond merchant, informing Slater about ten diamonds deposited before he was sent to prison. Just as Del thinks he has the upper hand, Slater emerges from the bedrooms and takes back his wallet, which he's been looking for, and with it the evidence.

The next day at the Nag's Head, as Raquel waits outside in the Trotter van, Del Boy and Rodney show Slater one of their Futafax machines, which Del says he used to make a copy of Slater's diamond documents. Slater retorts that he has already served his sentence and under double jeopardy cannot be tried for the same crime twice. Del continues that he and Rodney went to the local newspaper offices and read all the reports of Slater's trial, but the reports didn't mention the ten missing diamonds deposited with the dealer. If the incriminating documents were to be sent to the police, it would mean a new trial, and given Slater's record most likely a return to prison. The Trotter brothers want to make a deal; Slater can keep his money, but he is to give Raquel her divorce, leave Peckham for good, and never mention to anyone that he was married to her.

Slater agrees to the deal and quickly leaves, while Del explains to Rodney that when Slater sells his diamonds, Raquel can divorce him and legally be entitled to 50% of everything. Mike shows up and tells the Trotter brothers that the photocopier on the Futafax they sold him doesn't work. A laughing Del answers that his doesn't either, meaning that he and Rodney were bluffing to Slater all along.

Episode cast

Actor Role David Jason Del Boy Nicholas Lyndhurst Rodney Buster Merryfield Uncle Albert Tessa Peake-Jones Raquel John Challis Boycie Roger Lloyd Pack Trigger

Actor Role Kenneth MacDonald Mike Paul Barber Denzil Jim Broadbent Roy Slater Roger McKern Club owner Mitch Basketfield Singer

Episode concept

• The idea for the script was based on a reunion that John Sullivan had with his football team.^[1]

Story arc

• This episode marks the final appearance of Roy Slater. His previous appearances are referenced in the episode - Del and Rodney were arrested in "May the Force Be With You" and the diamond racket for which he was jailed was central to the plot of "To Hull and Back". Slater would also appear in the 2010 comedy-drama prequel Rock & Chips.
• Raquel's ex-husband has been referred to numerous times in since the introduction of the character, but this is the first episode in which he is identified as Slater.

Music

• The Cure : Never Enough
• Soul II Soul : People
• Manfred Mann : Mighty Quinn
• Lisa Stansfield : All Around The World
• Betty Boo : Valentine's Day

Note: "The Mighty Quinn" is edited out of the DVD version. It remains intact on the VHS and iTunes download versions.

References

1. ^ Did You Know? ofah.net

External links

• "The Class of '62" at bbc.co.uk

Preceded by "Stage Fright"

Only Fools and Horses 20 January, 1991

Succeeded by "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle"