User Reviews

Fed up at the constant bickering between Olive and Arthur, Stan resolves to do something about it. A marriage guidance councillor suggests Olive try a change of image to make her more sexually alluring. When Arthur comes home, he is astounded to find his wife, tarted up like Mae West, alone in the parlour, the lights off. He collapses with laughter.

Stan next tries to make Arthur jealous by getting him to think she is having an affair. Blakey is the unwitting dupe in the grand scheme...

George Layton and Jonathan Lynn were in great demand in the early '70's both as actors ( the former was a regular in L.W.T.'s 'Doctor' series until 1974 ) and writers ( penning 'Nearest & Dearest' amongst other things ). This strong episode puts the regulars to good use, particularly Michael Robbins and Anna Karen, and makes Arthur's abrupt departure the following year all the more credible.

Future 'Coronation Street' heart-throb Johnny Briggs is seen as a 'Jack The Lad' window cleaner, who inadvertently blunders into Stan and Jack's plan.

Funniest moment - Arthur finding Blakey in the parlour with Olive, and jumping to the wrong conclusion!

Fed up of the constant fighting between Olive and Arthur, Stan takes Olive to see a marriage guidance counsellor, who suggests Olive try and make herself more sexually alluring to Arthur.

Stan and Mrs. Butler then give Olive a makeover and Olive tries to make an effort to woo Arthur by arranging a candlelight dinner for the two of them. However, upon seeing her new appearance, he bursts out laughing.

Olive then tries getting back at Arthur by flirting with Blakey when he turns up at the house unexpectedly in an attempt to make him jealous...

In these 'woke' times, Arthur's treatment of Olive will be one thing sure to be cast up by these PC fruits about how she was a downtrodden wife. One thing that must be noted is that, whilst Arthur's treatment of Olive is indeed unacceptable, Olive does often give back as good as she gets, matching him insult for insult and, on one or two occasions, physically attacking him ( she lunged at him with a tin opener in the season four episode 'The Other Woman', only to be disarmed by Stan ). A doormat she most certainly was not!

Good episode from the pens of George Layton and Jonathan Lynn ( the former who at this time was appearing in 'Doctor In Charge' for LWT ). Johnny 'Mike Baldwin' Briggs has a minor role as a randy window cleaner.

Funniest bit - catching Blakey and Olive together, Arthur naturally gets the wrong end of the stick. ''I came to see her mum!'' says Blakey nervously. ''You're a sex maniac!'' hollers Arthur as he makes to thump the terrified inspector!