'In Sickness & In Health' notched up five Christmas specials, the first of which sadly marked the final appearance of the great Dandy Nichols as Alf's wife 'Else'. The Garnetts are invited to the Vicar's Christmas party. Rita has been staying with them and plans on returning to Liverpool on Christmas Eve. Her father does not want her to go and drops unsubtle hints about a suicide pact, before feigning an injury allegedly brought on by falling off a ladder whilst tearing down the decorations...
A nice episode, though a couple of gags are recycled from 'Till Death Us Do Part', such as Alf drinking dirty water from the vase he was about to throw over carol singers, and Else's comment about how Joseph and Mary probably had to stay in a stable as the hotels were full on account of it being Christmas.
Arnold Diamond makes his debut as 'Mr.Rabinsky'. Alf's rant about charity beginning at home meets with unexpectedly fierce opposition from Arthur. Had this been a 'Till Death Us Do Part' episode, it would have likely been Mike ( Tony Booth ) challenging Alf's view.
Funniest moment - Arthur has helped raise money for the pensioners' Christmas dinner. Alf says he does not plan on going after all and proceeds to help himself to £8.00 out of the jar containing the money. Arthur is shocked, but a few minutes ( and a few drinks ) later sees Alf's point and takes a similar sum out of the jar.
Second funniest moment - the doctor tells Rita and Else that Alf has not hurt himself. "Pity!", snaps Else. Despite her frailty, Nichols was still capable of delivering funny lines to perfection.
A nice episode, though a couple of gags are recycled from 'Till Death Us Do Part', such as Alf drinking dirty water from the vase he was about to throw over carol singers, and Else's comment about how Joseph and Mary probably had to stay in a stable as the hotels were full on account of it being Christmas.
Arnold Diamond makes his debut as 'Mr.Rabinsky'. Alf's rant about charity beginning at home meets with unexpectedly fierce opposition from Arthur. Had this been a 'Till Death Us Do Part' episode, it would have likely been Mike ( Tony Booth ) challenging Alf's view.
Funniest moment - Arthur has helped raise money for the pensioners' Christmas dinner. Alf says he does not plan on going after all and proceeds to help himself to £8.00 out of the jar containing the money. Arthur is shocked, but a few minutes ( and a few drinks ) later sees Alf's point and takes a similar sum out of the jar.
Second funniest moment - the doctor tells Rita and Else that Alf has not hurt himself. "Pity!", snaps Else. Despite her frailty, Nichols was still capable of delivering funny lines to perfection.
