Steptoe and Son (TV Series) Tea for Two (1970) User Reviews

Tea for Two

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 18 December 2017]

In previous episodes such as 'My Old Man's A Tory' there was always political discourse between tory Albert and socialist Harold. Despite Albert being a dirty old man who lives in a hovel, he regards himself as management class.

Just months after Ted Heath becoming the new Conservative Prime Minister after the 1970 General Election. There is a local by-election, with father and son supporting opposing candidates. Albert even swaps leaflets so Harold ends up delivering Tory ones.

However Harold identifying with the workers of the world against lazy management believes Harold Wilson's fightback starts in Shepherd's Bush.

When Albert gets an offer of from local Tory bigwigs of having tea in his home with Ted Heath, he jumps at the chance and even cleans up the house. Once Harold hears about this, he plans to do a nude protest. Not sure this is wise, Ted Heath always loved a sailor!

A prescient episode as the political discussions between father and son have not aged nearly five decades on.

Another political clash.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 22 July 2021]

A by election in shepherd's Bush sees Albert and Harold at loggerheads. The former a staunch Tory, with delusions of grandeur, the latter, a worker and prominent socialist. The pair are at eachother, resorting to underhanded tactics, all in the event of a visit from Ted Heath.

Ted Heath is an interesting character from history, if you know nothing of him, I'd suggest reading up on him, will give you a better insight into the clashes of the two here.

It's perhaps the least funny episode of the series, the content is perhaps a little too serious to allow for it, however,

It still has some funny moments, including Albert's fiendish trick with the leaflets, and of course the pair fighting over tea.

Fathers and sons continue to clash over all things political, history, parties, Brexit, Trump etc, such arguements will go on forever.

Interesting, 7/10.

"Two great rows of tombstones flashing at me!"

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 4 July 2007]

Campaigning has begun in a local by-election, and Albert and Harold find themselves on opposing ends of the political spectrum; the former a true-blue Tory, the latter a staunch Labour supporter.

Tory bigwigs inform Albert that Prime Minister Ted Heath plans to take tea with him as part of a 'Meet The People' tour. Albert is so thrilled at the prospect he splashes out on a new china tea set ( which his son later smashes in anger ), refreshments and decorates the toilet.

As secretary for the local Labour Party, Harold - along with his friend Dolly Clackett - intends staging a nude protest. But things do not quite go according to plan...

Despite being an inversion of 'My Old Man's A Tory' from Season 4, this is still a blinding episode in its own right. Ted Heath had only been in power for four months when it went out, and already comedy writers such as Galton and Simpson were sharpening their knives.

The opening scene where Harold and Albert debate their respective political views is hilarious and among my favourites of the whole series. Though as poor as a church mouse and living in abject squalor, the old man sincerely believes that voting Conservative puts him above the working classes. If Harold's pro-Labour stance seems eerily authentic, it can partly be attributed to Harry H.Corbett's own political leanings, which were much the same.

Funniest moment - every moment is funny, but I love the bit when Harold says he hates Mr.Heath's ambivalent and negative attitude towards the Concorde cock-up ( think about it )!