First Episode Of Last Of The Summer Wine

Right, let's talk Last of the Summer Wine. Everyone loves it, right? A national treasure. But hear me out...

Pilot Paradise or Purgatory?

That first episode, "Of Funerals and False Alarms," is where it all started. Now, I know it's sacrilege to say, but I didn’t exactly fall head-over-heels.

Perhaps my expectations were too high? Maybe I just wanted Compo to immediately be chasing Nora Batty down the street with some hair-brained scheme.

The Original Trio

We meet Compo, played by the magnificent Bill Owen. He's instantly recognizable, the mischievous one. You can't help but chuckle at his antics.

Then there's Clegg, the quiet observer. He's played by Peter Sallis. He's the voice of reason (sort of) amongst the chaos.

And of course, Blamire. Oh, Blamire! The stickler for rules. He's wonderfully uptight. He’s played by Michael Bates, not quite the Blamire we all remember.

Missing That "Je Ne Sais Quoi"

The episode centres around a possible funeral mix-up. A mix-up involving their old pal. It's a plotline that’s...well, a bit slow.

It feels like the show is still finding its feet. Like a baby giraffe trying to walk. A cute giraffe, mind you, but still wobbly.

The humour is there, but it's not quite the laugh-out-loud stuff we'd come to expect. It's more of a gentle smile, a polite chuckle.

Character Quirks in Development

The characters aren't fully formed yet. Their personalities are still being molded. You see glimpses of what they will become.

Compo’s already got his scruffy charm down. But the deep-rooted friendship between them all feels a bit...forced?

Even Clegg’s witty observations feel a little understated. He's holding back, playing it a bit too safe in this first one.

Nora Batty's Absence

Okay, I admit it. I missed Nora Batty. Her battle axe persona is what makes the whole show what it is! Her absence is a painful one.

No curlers, no wrinkled stockings, no door slamming. It just felt…wrong. It felt incomplete.

Without her, Compo felt like he was missing his sparring partner. Like Batman without Robin. Or tea without biscuits.

My Unpopular Opinion

So, here it is: the first episode is…okay. Just okay. It's a decent starting point. But it's not peak Summer Wine.

I know, I know. Don't throw your Yorkshire puddings at me! But I think the show gets significantly better later on. The later seasons are far superior.

It needed time to brew, like a good cuppa. Or perhaps mature, like a fine cheese. Either way, I’m glad it did get the chance to become the show it is today.

Give It Another Chance?

I still recommend watching it, of course. It’s essential viewing for any Summer Wine fan. It's a fascinating look at where it all began.

But don't judge the entire series based on this one episode. Think of it as an appetizer. A small taste of the hilarity to come.

Maybe, just maybe, after a few more episodes, you'll agree with me... or maybe you’ll think I'm completely bonkers!