"Absolutely Fabulous" Hospital (1994)

Director:

Bob Spiers

Writers:

Jennifer Saunders (written by)
Jennifer Saunders (idea) ...

TV Series:

"Absolutely Fabulous" (1992)

Original Air Date:

27 January 1994 (Season 2, Episode 1)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Best Friend | Social Commentary | London England | Cigarette Smoking | Promiscuous Mother

Cast

Jennifer Saunders	...	Edina
Joanna Lumley	...	Patsy
Julia Sawalha	...	Saffron
Kathy Burke	...	Magda
Helen Lederer	...	Catriona
Harriet Thorpe	...	Fleur
Jennifer Piercey	...	Antonia
Naoko Mori	...	Sarah
Llewella Gideon	...	Nurse
Orla Brady	...	Nurse Mary
David Henry	...	Mr. Simpson
Mandy Rice-Davies	...	Dream Patsy
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Dream Saffron
Richard E. Grant	...	Dream Justin
Suzi Quatro	...	Dream Nurse

Benjamin Soames

...

Boy #2

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Quotes:

[first lines]
Saffie: Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk!
Eddie: Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk! You're all tutty, darling! When Patsy comes in, I want you to treat her with a little bit of respect, alright?
Patsy: [entering] Click, click, flash, flash. Click, flash, flash, flash, click, click, click. Flash, flash, flash. Guys, guys, just give me a break, darlings! Just give me a break. I have a life to lead! Click, click. "This way, Patsy!". Fellows, fellows, fellows. Sweetie's darlings, can you just leave me alone? Click, click, click, click. Flash, flash, flash, flash. Click, click, click. Patsy, Patsy!
Eddie: You alright, darling? You're not letting this get to you, are you?
Patsy: No, of course not.
Eddie: A little bit of Bolly?
Patsy: Yes, just a smidge.
[looking at newspapers]
Patsy: Oh, are these todays?
[...]

A classic!

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"Hospital" is one of my favorite episodes, and in it we find Patsy has become involved in a headline-making sex scandal. Photographers and reporters follow her, but she'll only give an interview to the magazine she works for. In the meantime, Eddy has a toe injury that leads her to the hospital. Patsy also books a stay at the hospital for some facial rejuvenation. Llewella Gideon plays a tormenting nurse in this episode, and would return to play the character in "Death" and "Cleanin.'" Mrs. M. and Saffy visit Eddy in the hospital. Patsy receives visits from co-workers Magda (Kathy Burke), Fleur, and Catriona. Eddy has a bizarre dream while under anesthesia. Her dream features friends and family paying their last visit as she's dying in the hospital, but the dream is warped and her visitors aren't the friends and family as she knows them. Helena Bonham-Carter makes a perfect Saffy in the dream; especially since Patsy insultingly compared Saffy to Helena Bonham-Carter in "Magazine." Actor Richard E. Grant plays Justin in the dream. Germaine Greer, author of the controversial "The Female Eunuch," plays Eddy's mother. Dream Patsy is played by Mandy Rice-Davies, who was involved in a real sex scandal (in 1963) just like Patsy is in this episode. Suzi Quatro plays the dream nurse who offers rock and roll, and there's an appearance by the marionette, Lady Penelope, from the "Thunderbirds" adventure series. Patsy also has a humorous dream sequence. Producer Jon Plowman makes another cameo as a newsman trying to interview Patsy. Saffy's friend, Sarah, is also back. Bubble is absent from this episode.