With middle age fast approaching for Ella, she starts to feel broody and wants to start a family. Jamesie initially balks at the idea but after giving it a moments thought he softens. It is not going to be an easy task as there is more life on Mars than there is in Jamesie's sperm count.
An idea then dawns on him - IVF from a sperm donor. Jamesie asks Rab if he will be the surrogate father. He agrees ( in the face of opposition from Mary ) but will the IVF work?
Tony Roper is magnificent in this episode. Here he is given the chance to step out of the normal confines of his character and portray a more sensitive, caring side. His determination to become a father is rather touching and one can't help but feel sorry for him towards the end when, upon finding out that he and Ella will never be able to have a family, we see him despondently cradling a pair of baby boots. Even Rab seems disappointed at Jamesie and Ella being unable to start a family. However, in the series five episode 'Lottery', Jamesie got a young girl pregnant which resulted in her needing an abortion and in the season ten episode 'Cuts', Jamesie gained a baby son following a one night stand. These turn of events unfortunately invalidated this episode.
Ashley Jensen is briefly seen here as a young woman in the pub who is training to be a vet. It is not really much of a role but it does serve a purpose to the story.
Funniest bit - Jamesie explaining to Rab that the plastic container he has just given him is for putting his sperm sample into. ''How times have changed!'' says Rab to the camera - ''In the old days, the neighbours only wanted you to fill their cups with sugar!''
Second funniest bit - an Elvis style musical dream sequence in which Jamesie imagines what it would be like have a son. His son, both in looks and in personality, seems to bare quite a strong resemblance to his father!
An idea then dawns on him - IVF from a sperm donor. Jamesie asks Rab if he will be the surrogate father. He agrees ( in the face of opposition from Mary ) but will the IVF work?
Tony Roper is magnificent in this episode. Here he is given the chance to step out of the normal confines of his character and portray a more sensitive, caring side. His determination to become a father is rather touching and one can't help but feel sorry for him towards the end when, upon finding out that he and Ella will never be able to have a family, we see him despondently cradling a pair of baby boots. Even Rab seems disappointed at Jamesie and Ella being unable to start a family. However, in the series five episode 'Lottery', Jamesie got a young girl pregnant which resulted in her needing an abortion and in the season ten episode 'Cuts', Jamesie gained a baby son following a one night stand. These turn of events unfortunately invalidated this episode.
Ashley Jensen is briefly seen here as a young woman in the pub who is training to be a vet. It is not really much of a role but it does serve a purpose to the story.
Funniest bit - Jamesie explaining to Rab that the plastic container he has just given him is for putting his sperm sample into. ''How times have changed!'' says Rab to the camera - ''In the old days, the neighbours only wanted you to fill their cups with sugar!''
Second funniest bit - an Elvis style musical dream sequence in which Jamesie imagines what it would be like have a son. His son, both in looks and in personality, seems to bare quite a strong resemblance to his father!
