If They Could See Us Now

Infobox Only Fools and Horses
episode_name = If They Could See Us Now


Series = Christmas Special
writer = John Sullivan
director = Tony Dow
producer = Gareth Gwenlan
Duration = 71 minutes
Airdate = 25 December 2001
Audience = 21.3 million
Cast =

If They Could See Us Now is an episode of the BBC sit-com, "Only Fools and Horses", first screened on 25 December 2001 as the first part of the early 2000s Christmas trilogy.

ynopsis

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 Patridge's son then phones to say that Albert has passed away 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 livingroom 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 tells him to give all the prize money to charity. The episode ends as Del triumphantly says "We're the Trotters, and we're back!"

Notes

*In the trailers for this episode, a stretch version of their Reliant Regal van was shown but never made the final cut. [http://www.ofah.net/immediacy-72] It never really existed, just a superimposed picture.
*The clips used to describe how "normal" the Trotter brothers were before they became millionaires are used from the following episodes:
**Grandad dropping the wrong chandelier ("A Touch of Glass").
**The Jolly Boys' coach blowing up ("The Jolly Boys' Outing").
**The sex dolls inflating ("Danger UXD").
**Del and Rodney dressed as Batman and Robin ("Heroes and Villains").

Errors/Plotholes

*The Capri Ghia's registration number is CCR 412W, yet in "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle", the registration number was UYD 177R.

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/onlyfools/christmas/2001.shtml "If They Could See Us Now" at bbc.co.uk]