Little Problems Episode Review
Brief: With his impending marriage, Rodney’s certainly on the up. Del’s gone and got himself into a bit of bother over some hooky mobile phones with the less than understanding Driscoll brothers Tony and Danny. Unless Del comes up with 2,000 Pounds pretty sharpish they’re going to take care of him…
Transmitted: 12.02.1989
Duration: 50 minutes
Viewing Figures: 18.9 million
Rodney’s down in the dumps. Despite getting engaged, he thinks he’s failed his Diploma in Computer Science, which could cost him a good job at Cassandra’s father’s company.
On top of that, he can’t come up with his share of the dosh for the new flat he and Cassandra plan to buy. His only relief is that the diploma arrives in the post.
On top of that, he can’t come up with his share of the dosh for the new flat he and Cassandra plan to buy. His only relief is that the diploma arrives in the post.
Del comes to the rescue, promising to call in all his favours to raise the money Rodney needs.
Trouble is, the Driscoll brothers are calling in their debts, and those who can’t pay get bruised.
Managing to buy precious time, Del cons Boycie into paying for some dodgy video recorders and can cover the Trotter’s debts. Meanwhile, Uncle Albert has Del sussed, and asks him how much Rodney’s diploma cost.
Not all goes to plan in the end, and Del fulfils the duties as a battered and bruised Best Man. After some words of Trotter wisdom, Rodders and Cassie journey to Rimini for their honeymoon.
Episode Observations
- In Little Problems, A double whammy here! When Del sits down to watch his new video, a false top superimposes onto the recorder before it explodes. Then, you can clearly see the shadow of the studio boom microphone!
- In Little Problems, when Rodney asks Del for the ring it looks like he only hands him one ring but each exchange aring during the cermony.
- In Little Problems, towards the end of the wedding reception scene in the nags head, as Duke, Boyce and Marlenes dog jumps on a table and is told to get down. keep an eye on the couple sitting behind the dog. Del puts his arm around Marlene and begins to talk about Rodney and you can clearly see the couple do not go out the door. When the camera returns to where they were sitting they have disappeared!
- In Little Problems, Jeff Stevenson plays the role of a comedian at Rodneys stag night, yet in “To Hull and Back” he plays the role of PC Parker.
- In Little Problems, the script had to be altered because actor Patrick Murray, (Mickey Pearce) had badly cut his arm falling through a pane of glass. To incorporate this bandaged arm the scenes show Mickey and Jevon roughed up by the Driscoll Brothers.
- In Little Problems, in the Nags Head after the wedding, when Rodney and Cass are saying bye to everyone. I noticed that Boycie goes to kiss/hugg Cassandra but she does’nt realise it and walks straight past him! Boycie disguises it with a wave!
Little Problems Script
The script will be downloadable from here
Did You Know?
John Sullivans idea for the script came from a drink with David and Nick one evening, the idea grew into the funny episode we have with us today.
Watched this episode last night and the sickness and wealth episode just before it… somehow I noticed the date of the séance is 31st January 1989… Rodney’s wedding register gives the date as January 25th 1989…
The second time we see Del take a beating for Rodney – also see No Greater Love.
The scene at the end of the wedding reception where the Simply Red song plays is incredibly moving.
Ok, it’s taken me much thinking and plenty of views of all the series, but this is it. My official favourite episode. Ever.. Here’s why:
1: In my opinion, this series 6 was when the show peaked.
2: The jokes, one liners and comedy is top class all through the episode.
3: The drama is just as rich with Del making the ultimate sacrifice for his kid brother.
4: The end of it with Del alone makes me well up everytime.
5: The ‘Charlton’ bit. Brilliant…
So there, I’ve done it. I’ve finally chosen.. Or have I… :D
I havent heard anyone else say this before so i am going to say it.
last week i watched little problems and right at the end i noticed that when rodney runs out of the flat HE LEAVES HIS BRIEFCASE BEHIND! and doesnt come back for it and its not mentioned in the script that he miss places it and I was wondering if that was suppost to be like that? or it was simpley a mistake? this bugs me alot any comments about this subject would be very much appreciated many thanks.
YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS FIRST.
If you mean the bit when Rodney says “bloody ‘ell, she’ll go loopy” then i think he was in such a rush, that it is all part of the story. Knowing John Sullivans writing, i wouldn’t be at all surprised if he wrote it in to the script… But if you were in a rush then its the sort of thing you would do, i think he left his trouser tie things behind as well.
ok Michael – it should be fixed for you now
I wanted to look at the script but it comes up as page not found :-(, Great website by the way!
Tony Driscoll was played by Christopher Ryan best known for his role as Mike in BBC comedy The Young Ones.
Christopher Ryan was also in Bottom as Dave Hedgehog (Spudgun’s sidekick)