The reason I like this particular show is because it is outside the norm of the theme. Once the Boys get the motorbike you figure there will be all kinds of adventures, but it is all on Compo to deliver and minor issues complicate matters. I rate this as high as the Shiny Glow episode, it really is that good. Subtle is the key to these earlier shows and this is one which captures the subtle humor I have grown to love with LOSW. Granted the show is not as good as those from seasons 5-9....which I deem the height of the program, still even the later years deliver such quality it is hard to match. Still, this episode is as good as many out there and I highly recommend it.
4 Reviews
Bye, bye, Blamire
keysam-0261030 June 2022
Michael Bates' last episode, though probably no one knew that when it was filmed, as some of the series 3 episodes were originally written with him in mind - the golf one for example.
His life was cut short at 57, which is a great shame. Wondering how Summer Wine would have played out if he'd stayed is interesting; I think it would have been quite different. He was a terrific comic actor.
Anyway, all that to say there's no sense of "end of an era" here, not even "end of series" tbh. It's just a fairly typical episode in which the library newspaper reading and musing on the local notices - deaths in particular - leads to the trio going to obtain the old motorbike & sidecar outfit of a deceased friend. Attempting to use the vehicle goes about as well as you would imagine and it all ends with the lads going back to the pub.
A good solid episode, but no fanfare for Blamire. Next episode will bring us Foggy and possibly the era most people remember as classic LotSW.
His life was cut short at 57, which is a great shame. Wondering how Summer Wine would have played out if he'd stayed is interesting; I think it would have been quite different. He was a terrific comic actor.
Anyway, all that to say there's no sense of "end of an era" here, not even "end of series" tbh. It's just a fairly typical episode in which the library newspaper reading and musing on the local notices - deaths in particular - leads to the trio going to obtain the old motorbike & sidecar outfit of a deceased friend. Attempting to use the vehicle goes about as well as you would imagine and it all ends with the lads going back to the pub.
A good solid episode, but no fanfare for Blamire. Next episode will bring us Foggy and possibly the era most people remember as classic LotSW.
On the bike
Prismark1018 June 2016
The episode starts a little melancholic in the library as the trio read about their old pal little Billy having passed away. It is Clegg who thinks it would be a good idea to buy his old motorbike so they can travel more.
This gives Compo a reason to dress up in some dodgy motorcycle gear and of course roll down a hill on the motorbike and crash. Surprisingly we actually get to see some blood as Compe gets up and needs to stop his nosebleed.
There is no big stunt finish here, the motorbike survives intact and the trio go for a drink.
This was an end of a short era for the series as it is Blamire's last episode. Actor Michael Bates left the programme due to ill health. Although I remember the Anglo-Indian Bates darkened up for It ain't half hot mum, I do not recall him in Last of the summer wine. It is Foggy I remember even when the programme was shown late on Wednesday evenings in those days.
The series was more grittier than the later shows. You see more location shooting of the town there are in which looks rather dinghy and dirty. There is talk of the new sex discrimination legislation that was introduced in 1975 and Sid eyes up some female workers who come into the cafe.
The series was still finding its feet but I think writer Roy Clarke was getting near to what would make the programme work especially Blamire talks about his army days fighting in the jungle.
This gives Compo a reason to dress up in some dodgy motorcycle gear and of course roll down a hill on the motorbike and crash. Surprisingly we actually get to see some blood as Compe gets up and needs to stop his nosebleed.
There is no big stunt finish here, the motorbike survives intact and the trio go for a drink.
This was an end of a short era for the series as it is Blamire's last episode. Actor Michael Bates left the programme due to ill health. Although I remember the Anglo-Indian Bates darkened up for It ain't half hot mum, I do not recall him in Last of the summer wine. It is Foggy I remember even when the programme was shown late on Wednesday evenings in those days.
The series was more grittier than the later shows. You see more location shooting of the town there are in which looks rather dinghy and dirty. There is talk of the new sex discrimination legislation that was introduced in 1975 and Sid eyes up some female workers who come into the cafe.
The series was still finding its feet but I think writer Roy Clarke was getting near to what would make the programme work especially Blamire talks about his army days fighting in the jungle.
A very average episode.
Sleepin_Dragon4 June 2023
Compo has picked up a motorcycle and side car, naturally he causes a bit of mayhem at the wheel of it.
Series two has been decent, but I am glad to have reached the end of it, Series three for me is where the show really got going, and perhaps entered into its purple patch.
This was a very average end to the second series, a few chuckles, but there's nothing particularly special here, it's a somewhat run of the mill, unremarkable episode.
Michael Bates would sadly pass away a few years after leaving Summer Wine, but he continued acting. This may be controversial, but I never cared a great deal for Blamire, the character never seemed to fit somehow, that isn't me knocking Michael Bates, a cracking actor, but comparing him to Foggy, for me there was no comparison.
It was interesting to learn that Bates and Bill Owen continuously clashes, as I've watched this second series, that doesn't really surprise me a great deal.
Not a favourite, 5/10.
Series two has been decent, but I am glad to have reached the end of it, Series three for me is where the show really got going, and perhaps entered into its purple patch.
This was a very average end to the second series, a few chuckles, but there's nothing particularly special here, it's a somewhat run of the mill, unremarkable episode.
Michael Bates would sadly pass away a few years after leaving Summer Wine, but he continued acting. This may be controversial, but I never cared a great deal for Blamire, the character never seemed to fit somehow, that isn't me knocking Michael Bates, a cracking actor, but comparing him to Foggy, for me there was no comparison.
It was interesting to learn that Bates and Bill Owen continuously clashes, as I've watched this second series, that doesn't really surprise me a great deal.
Not a favourite, 5/10.
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