Strained Relations

"Strained Relations" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. It is the second episode of series 4, first broadcast on 28 February 1985. The episode was written by John Sullivan and directed by Susan Belbin, with a runtime of approximately 30 minutes. The episode centres on the Trotter family's attendance at Grandad's funeral following his death, marking the departure of actor Lennard Pearce from the series. It also introduces Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert, Grandad's naval brother, who moves in with Del Boy and Rodney.

Episode Overview

Basic Information

"Strained Relations" is the second episode of the fourth series of the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, which originally aired on BBC One on 28 February 1985.^[1] The episode was written by the series creator John Sullivan and directed by Susan Belbin.^[2] It has a runtime of 30 minutes and attracted an audience of 14.9 million viewers upon its initial broadcast, making it one of the higher-rated episodes of the series at the time.^[1] This episode marks a significant transition in the show's narrative, as it addresses the death of the character Grandad (played by Lennard Pearce, who had passed away in real life in 1984) and introduces his brother, Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield), as a new recurring family member for protagonists Del Boy and Rodney Trotter.^[2] The storyline centers on the Trotter family's attendance at Grandad's funeral, blending themes of grief, family dynamics, and humor in the face of loss, consistent with the series' style of situational comedy set in working-class South London.^[3] Produced under Ray Butt for the BBC, it follows the Christmas special "Happy Returns" and precedes "Hole in One" in the season lineup.^[4]

Synopsis

The episode opens on the day of Granddad Trotter's funeral, a somber occasion attended by Del Boy, Rodney, and various friends and relatives at the cemetery. Del and Rodney, grieving the loss of their grandfather who had been a central figure in their lives, encounter an unexpected family member: Uncle Albert, Granddad's younger brother, who arrives dressed in his Royal Navy uniform and begins sharing anecdotes from his seafaring past. The funeral procession and burial proceed with a mix of melancholy and awkward humor, as Del attempts to maintain a cheerful facade amid the proceedings.^[3] Following the service, the group returns to the Trotters' flat at Nelson Mandela House for the wake, where tensions arise between Del and Rodney. Del's lighthearted banter and jokes with friends like Boycie, Trigger, and barman Mike at The Nag's Head irritate the more sensitive Rodney, who feels Del is not properly mourning their loss. Uncle Albert, attempting to bond with his nephews, recounts a story from their childhood: he and their late father, George Trotter, once flipped a coin to decide who would serve as Del's godfather, with George losing the toss. As the evening wears on, it becomes clear that Albert's other relatives, cousins Stan and Jean, have abandoned him, taking their mobile home and leaving him without a place to stay. Reluctantly, Del agrees to let Albert spend the night on the couch, but insists he cannot use Granddad's bedroom, which the brothers have turned into a makeshift shrine.^[2] The next morning brings further complications when Del and Rodney discover that Stan and Jean have indeed departed without Albert, stranding him in London. Del suggests Albert seek shelter at the Seamen's Mission, but Rodney criticizes his brother's callousness, arguing that family should stick together in times of need. Later, at The Nag's Head, Albert claims the Mission has been torn down, exaggerating his plight with tales of naval hardships to evoke sympathy. Under pressure from Rodney's insistence and Albert's persistence, Del finally relents, inviting his uncle to move in permanently with the Trotters. This decision marks the beginning of a new dynamic in the household, as Uncle Albert becomes a fixture in their lives, bringing his eccentric stories and the famous catchphrase "During the war..." into the fold. Meanwhile, Mike the barman reveals that the Seamen's Mission has a room available, but Albert suppresses this information to secure his place with the family.^[3]

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

The episode "Strained Relations" centers on the Trotter family dynamics following the death of Grandad, with the main cast comprising the three central actors portraying the brothers and their newly introduced uncle. These performances drive the episode's emotional and comedic elements, particularly the introduction of a new family member into the household.^[5] David Jason stars as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter, the optimistic and scheming older brother who leads the family's market trading ventures from their Peckham flat. In this episode, Jason's portrayal emphasizes Del's mix of grief and opportunism at the funeral, as he navigates family revelations while trying to maintain his entrepreneurial spirit. Jason had been playing the role since the series' inception in 1981, bringing a charismatic energy that defines the character's lovable rogue persona.^[5]^[6] Nicholas Lyndhurst plays Rodney Trotter, Del's younger, more intellectual and frustrated brother, who often serves as the voice of reason amid the chaos. Lyndhurst's performance in "Strained Relations" highlights Rodney's emotional vulnerability during the funeral proceedings and his initial wariness toward the arriving Uncle Albert, underscoring the brothers' close but strained bond. A series regular since 1981, Lyndhurst's subtle comedic timing contrasts effectively with Jason's broader style.^[5]^[6] Buster Merryfield makes his debut as Uncle Albert Trotter, the eccentric naval veteran and brother to the late Grandad, who arrives unannounced and quickly integrates into the family. Merryfield's portrayal introduces Albert's signature storytelling habits and bumbling charm, which become staples of the series; in this episode, he provides comic relief through his obliviousness to the family's discomfort at the funeral. Auditioned and cast shortly after Lennard Pearce's real-life death in 1984, Merryfield appeared in 38 episodes from 1985 until 1996.^[5]^[7]

Supporting Cast

In "Strained Relations," the supporting cast features a mix of recurring characters from the Only Fools and Horses series and one-off roles that enhance the episode's depiction of family and community during Grandad's funeral and its aftermath. These performers bring depth to the Trotter family's social circle, appearing at the cemetery, the wake, and familiar haunts like the Nag's Head pub.^[2] John Challis portrays Boycie, the smug, wealthy car salesman and longtime acquaintance of Del Boy, who attends the funeral and offers characteristically condescending remarks during the proceedings. His role underscores the class tensions within the Trotter's working-class world.^[2] Roger Lloyd-Pack plays Trigger, the dim-witted road sweeper and market trader friend of the Trotters, whose literal-minded humor provides comic relief at the wake as he interacts awkwardly with the family. Trigger's appearance reinforces the episode's blend of grief and everyday banter among Del's mates.^[2] Kenneth MacDonald appears as Mike, the no-nonsense landlord of the Nag's Head, where the family gathers post-funeral; he serves drinks and observes the Trotters' chaotic dynamics with dry wit, highlighting the pub as a central hub for the characters' lives.^[2] Episode-specific supporting roles include John Pennington as the Vicar, who conducts the funeral service with solemnity, setting a poignant tone before the humor escalates. Maureen Sweeney plays Cousin Jean, a distant relative who emerges at the cemetery, representing the unexpected family connections revealed during the event. Mike Kemp portrays Cousin Stan, another relative attending the funeral, contributing to the sense of a broader, estranged Trotter clan. Nula Conwell is Maureen, the barmaid at the Nag's Head, who assists during the wake. Lala Lloyd appears as an unnamed old lady at the cemetery, adding to the atmospheric crowd of mourners. These minor roles collectively amplify the episode's themes of loss and reconnection without overshadowing the core family narrative.^[2]

Production

Development and Writing

The episode "Strained Relations" was developed in response to the sudden death of actor Lennard Pearce, who portrayed Grandad, on December 15, 1984, from a heart attack at age 69, shortly after principal photography had begun on the fourth series.^[8] Production on the series was halted to allow the cast and crew time to grieve, with filming resuming in the new year.^[8] John Sullivan, the series' creator and sole writer, chose to incorporate Pearce's passing directly into the narrative by scripting Grandad's on-screen death, rather than recasting the role or writing the character off-screen, a decision that broke from traditional sitcom conventions of avoiding real-life tragedies.^[8]^[9] Sullivan aimed to add emotional depth to the show, reflecting the complexities of working-class family life, as noted by his biographer Graham McCann: "He really wanted Only Fools and Horses to be something with more depth... he wanted the character to die and the other characters to react to the death."^[8] This approach allowed the episode to explore the brothers Del and Rodney's contrasting responses to grief—Del's pragmatic denial versus Rodney's overt distress—while introducing Grandad's naval brother, Uncle Albert, played by Buster Merryfield, as a new family member to fill the household dynamic.^[9] The script, completed rapidly to accommodate the revised production schedule, blended humor with pathos, centering on the funeral and wake where family tensions and revelations emerge, such as suspicions about Uncle Albert's backstory.^[8] Sullivan's writing emphasized realistic emotional undercurrents amid comedic elements, like Del's eulogy that poignantly reveals his protective role in the family, marking a pivotal shift toward more dramatic storytelling in the series.^[9] Directed by Susan Belbin and first broadcast on BBC One on February 28, 1985, the episode ran for approximately 30 minutes and drew 14.9 million viewers.^[1]

Casting Changes

The death of actor Lennard Pearce, who portrayed Grandad Edward "Ted" Trotter, prompted significant casting adjustments for the fourth series of Only Fools and Horses. Pearce suffered a fatal heart attack on December 15, 1984, at the age of 69, just days after filming had begun on the season.^[8]^[10] Production was halted, and initial footage featuring Pearce in the episode "Hole in One" was scrapped and reshot to accommodate the changes.^[8] Writer John Sullivan chose to incorporate Grandad's death into the storyline rather than recast the role directly, breaking from traditional sitcom conventions by addressing the loss head-on in "Strained Relations," the second episode of the series. This narrative decision allowed for an emotional depiction of Del Boy and Rodney Trotter attending their grandfather's funeral, providing closure while introducing a new family dynamic.^[8] To fill the void left by Grandad, Sullivan created the character of Uncle Albert Trotter, Grandad's younger brother and a retired Royal Navy man known for his wartime anecdotes. Buster Merryfield was cast in the role after writing a letter to Sullivan suggesting himself for a similar part; Merryfield, a former bank manager from Battersea with amateur acting experience, was spotted performing in a pantomime and confirmed his ability to perform in a Cockney accent.^[11]^[10] Uncle Albert made his debut in "Strained Relations," arriving at the funeral and subsequently moving in with the Trotter brothers, marking a seamless transition that maintained the show's family-centric humor.^[8]^[11] An alternative idea of introducing an "Auntie Doris" was briefly considered but ultimately rejected by the production team, with co-star David Jason noting the challenges of adapting the show's banter to a female character. Merryfield's casting proved popular, and Uncle Albert became a staple of the series for the subsequent six years.^[10]

Reception and Legacy

Viewership and Ratings

"Strained Relations," the second episode of the fourth series of Only Fools and Horses, aired on BBC One on 28 February 1985 and contributed to the show's burgeoning success during that period. The episode attracted 14.9 million viewers, according to BARB figures. The series as a whole enjoyed significantly increased audiences compared to its debut season, reflecting the sitcom's growing appeal among British viewers. The episode holds a strong user rating of 8.5 out of 10 on IMDb, derived from 704 ratings, indicating enduring positive reception from audiences.^[12] The fourth series' overall impact was highlighted by its high viewership and critical acclaim at the time. A Christmas special from later in 1985 drew 16.9 million viewers, exemplifying the program's capacity to command large national audiences during this era.^[13]^[14]

Critical and Fan Response

The episode "Strained Relations" garnered positive reception for its innovative blend of humor and pathos, particularly in addressing the real-life death of actor Lennard Pearce and the in-universe passing of his character Grandad, which marked a departure from typical sitcom conventions of the era.^[9] Retrospective analyses have highlighted how writer John Sullivan used the episode to explore family grief, contrasting Del Boy's upbeat demeanor with Rodney's resentment, thereby infusing social realism into the comedy.^[9] On IMDb, the episode maintains a strong user rating of 8.5 out of 10, based on 704 votes, reflecting enduring fan appreciation for its emotional balance and character development.^[2] Reviewers frequently commended the performances, especially Buster Merryfield's debut as Uncle Albert, whose introduction provided comic relief amid the somber funeral scenes; one user described it as "a cracking watch" that exemplifies the series' signature ability to "make you laugh, cry and laugh again."^[15] Another praised the realism of the cemetery sequence and the poignant hat gag involving Grandad, noting the "hilarious punchline" that underscores the Trotters' resilient family dynamic.^[15] Fans and commentators have often cited the episode as a pivotal moment in the series, effectively transitioning the family structure while evoking tears, laughter, anger, remorse, regret, and reminiscence within its 30-minute runtime.^[16] The pathos evident in scenes like Del placing his hand on Rodney's shoulder after an argument has been singled out as particularly moving, contributing to its status as a fan favorite that captures the show's non-politically correct humor and heartfelt storytelling.^[16] Overall, the response emphasizes its role in elevating Only Fools and Horses beyond light comedy, with no significant criticisms noted in available sources.^[9]