The Pagan Rite (9 May 1975)
"The Good Life" The Pagan Rite (original title)

Tom's former employer, instructs Jerry to invite the Good's to a dinner party. Sir Andrew tries to entice back to work by offering freelance work. After initially saying no Tom reconsiders ... See full summary »

Writers:

John Esmonde (by), Bob Larbey (by)

Stars:

Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Richard Briers	...	Tom Good
Felicity Kendal	...	Barbara Good
Penelope Keith	...	Margo Leadbetter
Paul Eddington	...	Jerry Leadbetter
Reginald Marsh	...	Sir / Andrew
Moyra Fraser	...	Felicity
John Scott Martin	...	Waiter

Storyline

Tom's former employer, instructs Jerry to invite the Good's to a dinner party. Sir Andrew tries to entice back to work by offering freelance work. After initially saying no Tom reconsiders the offer in the wake of an intimate discussion with Barbara. Tom scheming nearly comes undone as Barbara discovers part of Tom's secret and what it will mean for her

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1975 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Sir cannot remember her name, Barbara introduces herself as "Fatima." Sir also refers to Tom as "Tim."

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tom: Did you know the surinam toad has got a pointed head?
Barbara: What brought that up?

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Connections

References Pinky and Perky (1957)

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Soundtracks

"Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)"
Written by Cole Porter
Performed by Richard Briers and Moyra Fraser

User Reviews

Tom hides a secret from Barabra...and she finds out!!!

Tom and Brabara are invited to Jerry and Margo's for dinner and drinks, at which it becomes apparent that this has been organised by 'Sir' with the idea of persuading Tom to accept some freelance work. Once again Tom refuses.

However, after a cosy fireside chat, where Barbara confesses to missing some of the niceties her previous lifestyle gave, Tom feels aggrieved that he cannot provide for his wife to the extent he once did, and slyly decides to accept 'Sirs' offer to pay for a surprise for his wife...a weekend in a posh hotel.

Barbara finds out about Tom's deceit and believes he has already compromised his new principles, especially as they are now starting to feel the bite of debt and poverty, their new way of life has brought about.

She believes he has only accepted the work to get them out of the financial mire and therefore failed in their quest for self sufficiency

Can Tom convince her that, this was all done for the right reasons?