Only Fools and Horses - S5E9 - Dates (1988 Christmas Special)

Re-watching, what a brilliant episode!

Raquel Turner not Welch, Del

One of my favorite episodes.

Listen It’s amazing to rewatch all these with you. To sleep at night I have to listen to only fools in my air pods. But now I’m watching all of these with you and it’s amazing to see your reactions, thanks to you both

When Del says… “Yes of course I want to see you again sweetheart, but next time I’ll pay at the door like all the other punters”. That line gets me every time, it’s like a dagger to the heart, just brilliant from John Sullivan.

im cwing

Glad you enjoyed that episdoe - an absolute classic! You're at the point now that so many people have mentioned before - this is where OFAH seems to move to a completely new level. The episodes get longer, the story-telling is not rushed, and you'll begin to see some real progression with the characters. It moves from being a standard (although very good) sitcom into something completely different. You've already seen glimpses of how the writer and actors are able to put real emotion into the storeis/characters - you'll see this more with the remaining episodes. (In fact, there's at least one in there that I've never found funny at all - it really just feels like a drama). Another reason this series is so beloved in the UK is that, for a long time, it was a staple of Christmas TV. A new special was aired every year, even when there was no new season. It was like checking in with the characters once a year, especially with how realistic it all is. I know people let spoilers spill in the comments, but hopefully you've avoided them. I hope you enjoy the ride, looking forward to watching them all with you!

Thank you.

Love your shocked reaction on this. Your faces were a picture!! Thanks for the laughs 😍

Even though I knew every twist in this plot, it still had me in tears.

44:30 - Me pausing the video to ALSO check what that noise was! :)

Only fools n horses has to be the most rewatchable show in history. I have possibly seen dates 25 30 times. But u guys gave me a new experience. Credit to you n credit to this awesome comedy

Christmas 1988. I was 15, we’ve reached a point where I have vivid memories of watching these episodes. 24 episodes to go. That means it will be completed on Christmas week 2026.

The best TV shows provoke emotions. Love this episode, it's so funny (Sheffield?! being one of my favourite bits), brilliant writing in regards to twists and turns along the way and as we see from Mike and Jess it resonates with a lot of people's own relationships and insecurities. Great work! Would love to hear your views on Only Fools and Horses as a show so far and as mentioned... it only gets better!

Raquel is so hot. In her normal clothes. Sooo pretty.

The reveal of Raquel in the pub as a stripper with Mike and Jess was EPIC!! It was such a shock the first time it hits that Raquel was the stripper! John Sullivan was a genius.

Right! ...... this is the end of the world ...... As an ex-sailor I am disgusted by Uncle Albert's Army/RAF salute rather than a Naval one, what is this world coming to? 🤷‍♂️ 😜

One of my friends had a bar job at a place that used to host get-togethers for the local Freemasons. Apparently there was no conspiracies or skullduggery, it was basically just a social club. I think my great grandfather was one.

I will have seen this back in 1988 at Christmas, but was so busy cooking Christmas dinner for two families including six children that the only memory I have of it is the scene in the pub where Raquel is the hired stripper. Probably because it was so funny that scene embedded itself in my brain and the rest of the episode just disappeared into black space. Such a treat to watch it again with you two.

There's a really good 40 minute interview with the actress that played Raquel, released only 3 months ago. Two particularly interesting facts about her.....1. She had never watched OFAH before she got the part, cos she was too busy working in the theatre to watch much TV. 2. She did eventually get a part in Dr Who (just one episode in 2013). That's all I am going to say 😁 (see link below, if it doesn't get deleted).

What begins in series 5 just excels even more. Series 6 through the second to last set of specials is peak only fools. It’s all great but the 6-8 plus specials are the absolute best. Final 3 specials were ok but not the same.

This is now the Tony Dow and Gareth Gwenlan era, new producer and new director.

Full version?

Probably the episode that really set the stage for developing the characters and taking it to the next level

18:00 Masonry is an old Scottish society that has since spread throughout the world but at the peak in Scotland around 1 in 10 men were Masons. They are devoted to charity and are explicitly not meant to benefit another Mason if that Mason has done something illegal. Famous Masons include Ben Franklin, George Washington, Andrew Garfield, Rudyard Kipling, Alexander Fleming, Buzz Aldrin, Shaq, Mozart, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Henry Ford, and Houdini.

Despite watching it 1000 times over, im probably more invested in the actual characters during these reactions than I ever have been

He who reuploads wins

Jess, season 6 does indeed start off with a bang. In fact, many fans think season 6 is the best season of OFAH (though season 7 is a close 2nd IMO). Every episode of season 6 is an absolute banger and all of us can’t wait for you and Mike to see how the characters in this fantastic series develop over the remaining episodes you have left to see. So looking forward to next Sunday…

Great stuff as always guys :)

Great episode and great reaction

Well the start of the next season certainly starts with a bang

Much like Patrick Stewart - "its too late, i've seen everything"

Mike I'm officially requesting a king kong reaction haha

Rodney can’t go to Raquel. He legged it as soon as he saw the police, so he doesn’t know that Del has gotten himself arrested.

That right there is a loving woman… The kind of woman who sees beyond your insecurities. The one who understands that you might have questioned your own worth, or felt held back because you never earned your GED. Instead of judging you, she quietly sets those fears aside and reminds you of the person you’re capable of becoming. She doesn’t dwell on your past. She believes in your future, often before you fully believe in it yourself. Bravo, Jess. 👏💙🩵

Fun fact. Raquel (the actress who played her) was the 4th ever voice on OFAH, after Grandad, Rodney and Del. Eps 1, Series 1. They walk in to the Nags Head and a ladies voice (you don’t see her) says hello to Del.

Wondered what was happening. Clearly glad I didn’t watch it first tho g like I would usually now. 😃

Everyone I've seen watching this episode has spotted Raquel as the stripper before the reveal, to see you guys get taken completely by surprise was such a thrill!

Mike and Jess are truly way out on their own when it comes to these reactions.. such a wonderful couple to watch and enjoy these classic British TV shows with

😁

Although Del still acted macho you definately saw his caring side in this one.

Deja Vu

Roll on series 6. That was fantastic. Loved that so much. ❤️

i liked the fried bread cliff hanger

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ much love great reaction xx

a wonderfull reaction to a really lovely episode, one of the best so far, hyped for season 6 now!

I’ll admit it. That was actually quite good.

Be paitent it gets better x

This is number 2 for the best episode ever for me, the show goes to another level from here.

HAHAHA Brilliant Guys!!!! Thanks for uploading again. See you next week! LOL

That last upload ended like the Sopranos

Breaks my heart... Every Damb Time 😭😭

NO SPOILERS PEOPLE! 😁

Did you get a ride in Mike's Ferrari, Jessica? 😆 🤣

One of my favourite episodes but now Series 6 and 7 is coming and they are all hilarious!

Thank you so much for updating it

Shout out to the mods and the 750 people who said the end was missing. Also, big up, blap blap, to Mike and Jess.

This episode broke my heart too! I felt for both of them.

I thought it was a problem my end 😂

The waiter Charles (at the Hilton that Del pays) is Nicholas Courtney aka the Brigadier from Doctor Who. He no doubt assisted Raquel in her role as a lizard person ;)

Thanks🙂

This is one of the best episodes in my opinion and this is where the show changes for the better in terms of story-telling. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yes, the episode ends on a downer but that's just the Trotter curse, isn't it?

As others have said, I was so looking forward to seeing you both reaction to this. Thoroughly enjoyed. Hope your neck is getting better, Mike! xxx

Ah, the director's cut

What a brilliant episode. Tv comedy at it's best

Series 6 is absolutely brilliant. Episode after episode is 5 star TV. I can't wait. I want a month of Sunday's.

Love the personal shares at the end.. 🥰

Cheers for the reupload

Nicholas Courtney there as the waiter, a nice cameo for any Doctor Who fans in the audience. Raquel's actress is actually in Doctor Who, albeit not until 2013. I like how you didn't spot it was Raquel as the stripper. Looking at it with hindsight, it's shot so you never get a good look at her until the reveal.

Dave ja vu

Where are the first 10 minutes???

'Glad you manage to sort it out i been loving this reaction :)

It’s funny how Raquel says that she was in an episode of ‘Doctor Who’ while they’re being served by the Brigadier.

Are all the complainers who felt the need to post the same comment over and over and over again happy now?

Suppose i'll have to watch it from the start.... :D

Did anyone tell you the last update was cut short? Couldn’t find any comments on the previous posts.

Now do I watch from the start again... ah go on then

Thank god you forgot to add the end instead of losing the footage! Was waiting for this, appreciate u guys!

Thank you Mike and Jess sorry that people are so impatient when it comes to waiting for the fixes

worth the wait until it was fixed 👍👍

Thanks for this :)

🙌

Sorry for the mix up on the last upload. Can someone let me borrow some storage space? 😅