The Plague (Father Ted)

Infobox Television episode
Title = The Plague
Series = Father Ted


Caption = Bishop Brennan in bed with a rabbit
Season = 2
Episode = 6
Airdate = 12 April 1996
Production =
Writer = Graham Linehan, Arthur Mathews
Director = Declan Lowney
Guests = Jim Norton (Bishop Brennan), Pat Shortt (Tom)
Episode list = List of Father Ted episodes
Season list = Father Ted Series 2
Prev = Song for Europe
Next = Rock-a-Hula Ted

"The Plague" is the 6th episode of the second series of Channel 4 sitcom "Father Ted", and the 12th episode overall.

ynopsis

The episode begins with a mock version of the show itself, with the titles replaced by titles for "Father Ben". Straight after the title card, it cuts to Dougal shouting excitedly to Ted that the programme is starting. They then watch the programme, which they find hilarious. They comment on Ben and Brendan (Ben's equivalent of Dougal), saying they are stupid and "eejits". The original Father Ted titles follow.

Dougal gets a pet rabbit which, after much deliberation, he calls Sampras. Meanwhile, Jack has acquired a habit of sleepwalking naked, and Bishop Brennan is set to visit because of thus. Unfortunately, the Bishop has a fear of rabbits brought on by a bad experience he once had with some in a lift, and Ted and Dougal must get 'Sampras' out of the way before he visits. They fail, and the situation is exacerbated as a whole army of rabbits appears in the parochial house, apparently from nowhere.

Quotes

"Father Jack": (referring to the rabbits in the living room) Rats!
"Father Ted": Yes, Father, we see them as well!
"Father Jack": Hairy Japanese bastards!

"Bishop Brennan": What would the following words suggest to you: "Father Jack", "sleepwalking" and "bollock naked"?

Popular culture

* This episode contains a subtle reference to "Pulp Fiction": Tom chooses between a hammer, baseball bat, chainsaw and katana to kill the rabbits, just as Butch in "Pulp Fiction" chooses between these weapons to fight Zed and Maynard.
* On the wall at the back of the room where Tom is showing the priests how he will take care of the rabbits a section of the word Redrum can be seen. This is a reference to the film "The Shining".

External links

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