User Reviews

With his argument over the pigs well and truly won, Tom moves on to the next stage of his plan.

He builds a generator in his cellar, and uses the dung from his newly acquired pigs to create methane gas which is then converted into electricity. Wow the brain of this guy!!! This marvellous invention comes just in time as the local powers-that-be are threatening power cuts and they need the electricity to power the deep freeze. Tom also takes up angling with the idea of finding free food in the local lakes and rivers to fill up the aforementioned deep freeze.

He seems to have it all figured out doesn't he? He even gloats to Margo and Jerry about their dependence on the national grid. But as Margo aptly points out, "Pride has been known to come before a fall Tom."

One of the best episodes of 'The Good Life'.

Tom ( Richard Briers ) has built a generator in the cellar which uses pig dung to create methane gas and thus generate enough electricity to power the house. At first, Jerry ( Paul Eddington ) scoffs, but on realising that the thing actually works, becomes jealous and gets into a row with Margo ( Penelope Keith ) about her over-reliance on electricity: "When I come home sometimes, its like Blackpool illuminations!". She defends herself by saying she needs the lighting to avoid falling down the stairs.

Tom accompanies Jerry on a fishing trip and gets into a row with a local angler ( Ray Mort ) when he tells him he plans on eating the fish he has just caught. Jerry and Margo look after the house while Tom and Barbara go out, but then, they notice that the chair in the lounge is no longer shaking. The generator has packed up...

As I said, one of the best episodes, with a cracking Esmonde/Larbey script and the regulars on good ( no pun intended ) form. Margo makes the first of many tirades against the unions; describing the power station workers who are planning on going on strike as 'neo-Marxists' ( a term many people of her ilk are regrettably still using ). Over the course of the series the writers developed this side of her character. With Thatcher then the leader of the opposition, the timing was perfect.

Funniest moment - Margo's attempt at seducing Jerry going wrong. "That's the last time I play the tart for you, Jerry!".

Second funniest moment - Tom telling Jerry that the deep freeze will contain, among other things, pork. His friend says it seems a bit cruel, seeing how the pigs are the main source of fuel for the generator.