By the time 'Rab C. Nesbitt' had reached its second series, it had become a cult phenomenon, spawning several VHS releases, two BBC script books and a stage show version which toured the entire of the UK, selling out wherever they went ( particularly the Hammersmith Odeon where allegedly the week before they performed, Mick Jagger performed and was unable to fill the place ). By the end of 1992, it had gained enough respect from viewers, particularly in Scotland, to be awarded a New Year's Eve special, screened the same time as the final edition of 'Scotch & Wry'.
'Home' opens up in Sidcup shopping centre on Christmas Eve where Shug, Mary's cousin ( who was first introduced in 'Offski', series one, episode five ) shows his admiration for a bagpipe player who is performing in the centre. Phoebe scolds him for making a fool of himself ( or so she seems to think ). Shug explains that the reason for his behaviour is down to his homesickness, which has worsened over the festive period.
Christmas in the Nesbitt household in not exactly cheery. The family, especially Gash, berate Rab for his lack of imagination with their presents. Things are even worse for Jamesie, who is overwhelmed with depression ( though he almost perks up at the thought of a Hogmanay party at Rab's house ), so much so he attempts suicide by throwing himself head-first out of his window, which only results in him ending up in hospital, sporting a head brace. Rab goes to visit Jamesie in hospital but soon leaves in disgust, following a political debate, which also culminates in Jamesie's party invite being withdrawn. To make matters worse for poor Rab, he arrives home to find that Shug and Phoebe have arrived in Govan with plans for staying over until the New Year. Rab tries to make an effort but his short fuse with Phoebe's snobbery creates a sour atmosphere. After Rab takes Shug out on a bender, Phoebe decides to get revenge by disappearing back to Sidcup for a little New Year shindig of her own, taking Mary along with her. The final nail in the coffin occurs when Jamesie shows up uninvited to Rab's Hogmanay party, escalating into a riot...
Excellent stuff. The late Sean Scanlan's Shug is put to good use here in this strong episode. He is a rather complex character. On one hand, he dearly misses his home country, yet on the other hand he feels his heart rests back in England, something which Rab points out to Shug at the end of the episode. Rab's take on the over-commercialism of Hogmanay still rings true: ''Wha's like us? Every bastard's like us, that the whole trouble!''.
Like I said, a great little episode, and one that, apart from one or two political references, has not dated too badly either.
Funniest bit - at Rab's party, Jamesie riles up Rab to the point where he tears the flex from an active table lamp and connects the live wire to Jamesie's head brace, causing Jamesie to be electrocuted!
Second funniest bit - also during the party, an explosion occurs from the kitchen, courtesy of Andra and Dodie putting an oxyacetylene canister on the cooker. Andra and Dodie emerge from the kitchen, their clothes in tatters and their hair standing on end!
DODIE: Rab, there's been a wee mishap. Something fell out the kitchen window.
RAB: What?
ANDRA: The kitchen!
'Home' opens up in Sidcup shopping centre on Christmas Eve where Shug, Mary's cousin ( who was first introduced in 'Offski', series one, episode five ) shows his admiration for a bagpipe player who is performing in the centre. Phoebe scolds him for making a fool of himself ( or so she seems to think ). Shug explains that the reason for his behaviour is down to his homesickness, which has worsened over the festive period.
Christmas in the Nesbitt household in not exactly cheery. The family, especially Gash, berate Rab for his lack of imagination with their presents. Things are even worse for Jamesie, who is overwhelmed with depression ( though he almost perks up at the thought of a Hogmanay party at Rab's house ), so much so he attempts suicide by throwing himself head-first out of his window, which only results in him ending up in hospital, sporting a head brace. Rab goes to visit Jamesie in hospital but soon leaves in disgust, following a political debate, which also culminates in Jamesie's party invite being withdrawn. To make matters worse for poor Rab, he arrives home to find that Shug and Phoebe have arrived in Govan with plans for staying over until the New Year. Rab tries to make an effort but his short fuse with Phoebe's snobbery creates a sour atmosphere. After Rab takes Shug out on a bender, Phoebe decides to get revenge by disappearing back to Sidcup for a little New Year shindig of her own, taking Mary along with her. The final nail in the coffin occurs when Jamesie shows up uninvited to Rab's Hogmanay party, escalating into a riot...
Excellent stuff. The late Sean Scanlan's Shug is put to good use here in this strong episode. He is a rather complex character. On one hand, he dearly misses his home country, yet on the other hand he feels his heart rests back in England, something which Rab points out to Shug at the end of the episode. Rab's take on the over-commercialism of Hogmanay still rings true: ''Wha's like us? Every bastard's like us, that the whole trouble!''.
Like I said, a great little episode, and one that, apart from one or two political references, has not dated too badly either.
Funniest bit - at Rab's party, Jamesie riles up Rab to the point where he tears the flex from an active table lamp and connects the live wire to Jamesie's head brace, causing Jamesie to be electrocuted!
Second funniest bit - also during the party, an explosion occurs from the kitchen, courtesy of Andra and Dodie putting an oxyacetylene canister on the cooker. Andra and Dodie emerge from the kitchen, their clothes in tatters and their hair standing on end!
DODIE: Rab, there's been a wee mishap. Something fell out the kitchen window.
RAB: What?
ANDRA: The kitchen!
