Rab has acquired himself a new pet by the name of Shep, a canary which he treats as though it were a dog, in that he walks it on a lead and has trained it to attack people who try to cross him, as Andra learns to his cost.
Meanwhile, a cannibal who goes by the name Young Young McGurn, has recently been released from prison and, acting on information given to him by his son Bimbo, is on the hunt for a man who has been sleeping with his promiscuous daughter Tracey. The finger of blame naturally points at Jamesie.
Catching Jamesie dining with Tracey, McGurn kidnaps Jamesie and takes him atop a tower block where he threatens to throw him off. Rab attempts to talk some sense into McGurn, however, seeing the police surrounding him, McGurn decides to take his own life by throwing himself from the top of the building, killing some police officers, and Rab's canary ( who one of the officers was holding for Rab while he went up to talk to McGurn ) in the process.
Maurice Roeves makes for a convincing baddie as McGurn in this amiable episode. It was by this point that the show found its nerve to explore more taboo subjects, and what could be more taboo than cannibalism. David McKay, who played Bimbo, would return in series four as Rab's nephew Screech after Eric Cullen was written out at the end of series three. Tracey is played by Caroline Paterson, who would later go on to play Mark Fowler's wife Ruth in the BBC's long running soap 'Eastenders'.
The scenes involving Rab and his beloved canary ( which looks about as convincing as the talking parrot from 'Bottom Live: The Big Number. 2 Tour' ) are a scream, particularly when he commands it to attack Andra's groin, after which he quips: ''I know what you're going to say, cock fighting is illegal!''. When Shep is killed during McGurn's suicidal dive, poor Rab is heartbroken.
Funniest bit - Jamesie being dragged up the street, tied to the back of McGurn's motorbike. Spotting Rab at the window, he shouts up: ''Help me, Rab, I'm a takeaway!''. Not the strongest gag, I know, but the way Tony Roper says it is hilarious.
Second funniest bit - Rab giving his beloved canary a Viking style burial at sea, using a hollowed out beer can with a cereal box as a sail!
Meanwhile, a cannibal who goes by the name Young Young McGurn, has recently been released from prison and, acting on information given to him by his son Bimbo, is on the hunt for a man who has been sleeping with his promiscuous daughter Tracey. The finger of blame naturally points at Jamesie.
Catching Jamesie dining with Tracey, McGurn kidnaps Jamesie and takes him atop a tower block where he threatens to throw him off. Rab attempts to talk some sense into McGurn, however, seeing the police surrounding him, McGurn decides to take his own life by throwing himself from the top of the building, killing some police officers, and Rab's canary ( who one of the officers was holding for Rab while he went up to talk to McGurn ) in the process.
Maurice Roeves makes for a convincing baddie as McGurn in this amiable episode. It was by this point that the show found its nerve to explore more taboo subjects, and what could be more taboo than cannibalism. David McKay, who played Bimbo, would return in series four as Rab's nephew Screech after Eric Cullen was written out at the end of series three. Tracey is played by Caroline Paterson, who would later go on to play Mark Fowler's wife Ruth in the BBC's long running soap 'Eastenders'.
The scenes involving Rab and his beloved canary ( which looks about as convincing as the talking parrot from 'Bottom Live: The Big Number. 2 Tour' ) are a scream, particularly when he commands it to attack Andra's groin, after which he quips: ''I know what you're going to say, cock fighting is illegal!''. When Shep is killed during McGurn's suicidal dive, poor Rab is heartbroken.
Funniest bit - Jamesie being dragged up the street, tied to the back of McGurn's motorbike. Spotting Rab at the window, he shouts up: ''Help me, Rab, I'm a takeaway!''. Not the strongest gag, I know, but the way Tony Roper says it is hilarious.
Second funniest bit - Rab giving his beloved canary a Viking style burial at sea, using a hollowed out beer can with a cereal box as a sail!
