Else has finally passed on, leaving Alf alone in the world. Well, not quite alone. After the funeral, he - along with Rita, Marigold, Arthur, Mr & Mrs.Johnson, a rabbi, an old lady and landlady Mrs.Hollingbery - return to the Garnett's flat for tea.
Her death means that half of Alf's pension is now gone, although he still requires the same amount of gas and electricity, he will have far less money for the bills.
Arthur points out that when a rich man dies his family becomes automatically richer through inheritance. Alf's reaction is not what you would expect from a die-hard Tory. Mrs.Hollingbery shocks the gathering by revealing that Alf voted Labour in the council elections and got her to do likewise. Alf proposes a special 'winter' allowance for pensioners ( he was ahead of his time. It was introduced by the Labour Government in 1997 ).
She then delivers a tirade of hate against the idea of black people being buried in the same cemeteries as white, causing Rita to lose her temper.
When Dandy Nichols declined the opportunity to participate fully in the sixth season of 'Till Death Us Do Part', Johnny Speight toyed with the idea of killing Else off. Fortunately, he did not go through with it, and the door was left open for her return. But in 1986 she finally went to join the infinite. This was the first episode recorded after the actress' sad death. Unlike 'Only Fools & Horses' and the passing of Grandad, we do not see the actual funeral, just the aftermath. As the characters drink tea ( or in Alf and Arthur's case something stronger ) and eat sandwiches, they talk about various subjects, including death. Else is more or less forgotten as the episode progresses. It has some amusing moments but there is - as you would expect - an air of melancholia about the show.
Carmel McSharry appeared as an unnamed woman in a pub in the first series. 'Mrs.Hollingbery' was clearly intended to replace 'the silly old moo' by giving Alf a good argument at every turn. By the end of this edition, she wants him to move out, fearing the sexual advances he may make while under the influence of alcohol. She changes her mind, of course. Ken Campbell, who plays the garrulous 'Mr.Johnson', sadly passed away recently.
Funniest moment - following her racist tirade, Mrs.Hollingbery is kissed on the cheek by Marigold! ( This gag may have been inspired by a moment in 'All In The Family' when Archie Bunker ( Carroll O'Connor ) got a similar peck from none other than Sammy Davis Jr. )
The episode ends on a poignant moment, with Alf gazing sadly at Else's empty wheelchair. His eyes brimming with tears, he mutters for the very last time: "Silly old moo...".
Her death means that half of Alf's pension is now gone, although he still requires the same amount of gas and electricity, he will have far less money for the bills.
Arthur points out that when a rich man dies his family becomes automatically richer through inheritance. Alf's reaction is not what you would expect from a die-hard Tory. Mrs.Hollingbery shocks the gathering by revealing that Alf voted Labour in the council elections and got her to do likewise. Alf proposes a special 'winter' allowance for pensioners ( he was ahead of his time. It was introduced by the Labour Government in 1997 ).
She then delivers a tirade of hate against the idea of black people being buried in the same cemeteries as white, causing Rita to lose her temper.
When Dandy Nichols declined the opportunity to participate fully in the sixth season of 'Till Death Us Do Part', Johnny Speight toyed with the idea of killing Else off. Fortunately, he did not go through with it, and the door was left open for her return. But in 1986 she finally went to join the infinite. This was the first episode recorded after the actress' sad death. Unlike 'Only Fools & Horses' and the passing of Grandad, we do not see the actual funeral, just the aftermath. As the characters drink tea ( or in Alf and Arthur's case something stronger ) and eat sandwiches, they talk about various subjects, including death. Else is more or less forgotten as the episode progresses. It has some amusing moments but there is - as you would expect - an air of melancholia about the show.
Carmel McSharry appeared as an unnamed woman in a pub in the first series. 'Mrs.Hollingbery' was clearly intended to replace 'the silly old moo' by giving Alf a good argument at every turn. By the end of this edition, she wants him to move out, fearing the sexual advances he may make while under the influence of alcohol. She changes her mind, of course. Ken Campbell, who plays the garrulous 'Mr.Johnson', sadly passed away recently.
Funniest moment - following her racist tirade, Mrs.Hollingbery is kissed on the cheek by Marigold! ( This gag may have been inspired by a moment in 'All In The Family' when Archie Bunker ( Carroll O'Connor ) got a similar peck from none other than Sammy Davis Jr. )
The episode ends on a poignant moment, with Alf gazing sadly at Else's empty wheelchair. His eyes brimming with tears, he mutters for the very last time: "Silly old moo...".