SteveResin

This has to be one of the most unintentionally hilarious TV shows ever screened in the UK. It's like a Daily Mail or The Sun fantasy come to life. It even has Garry Bushell in it, it's that transparent. They try their best to make it appear deep and thought provoking but it's absolute twaddle catering to the pitchfork brigade and the type who watch and enjoy YouTube videos of "Paedo Hunters".

The writing is frankly absurd. There's a scene where Glitter's defence lawyer stands up in court and actually says "I am sickened by my client, I despise him, and he may even be evil, but...". I mean come on,the guy would never be employed again. Ridiculous sensationalist nonsense. Glitter is portrayed as a man so arrogant and lacking self awareness he declares in court that his 10 year old victim was asking for it because she dressed provocatively in "small shorts". It's so unrealistic it's like watching an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey written by someone on an acid trip. I was convinced I was watching a lost episode of Brass Eye it was so hilarious.

This sadly is Dandy Nichols' final appearance on the show, until it was resurrected in 1985 as In Sickness and in Health. Her departure left a gaping hole they couldn't fill, try as they might by introducing two new permanent characters in Bert and Min. The show never recovered from Nichols' absence and Min was a poor substitute, more annoying than a humorous adversary to Alf. That's not knocking Patricia Hayes' performance, the writing just wasn't up to scratch and her character is irritating. The great Alfie Bass' Bert was no better. The show slides into mediocrity from this point onward and was cancelled the following year. It's not hard to see why.

As for this episode, it's one of two halves. The first half is a foretaste of what's to come for the rest of the series' run, with Alf and Min bickering, Min going off on long tangents that can vary from amusing to exasperating. The second half is a huge improvement with Alf, Mike and Rita phoning Else in Australia, containing some wonderful dialogue and great chemistry between the cast, something that would soon be sadly lacking.

China Beach's magnificent first season ends with a hugely impressive performance from Chloe Webb. Along with Dana Delany her character Laurette is the season's high point, a character full of fun, quirks and a big heart. Her farewell scene, where she visits an orphanage and sings The Beatles' classic "With a Little Help from My Friends" to the children and her close companions is beautiful and moving.

It's a shame she didn't return to the show after the first season, she brought so much pathos and humour to season one, highlights being her holding the hand of a dying soldier and comforting him in the pilot and her hilarious audition for a top promoter which descends into farce when her tape machine malfunctions. But she bows out here with a truly great performance in a beautifully written episode.