S3 E24 René of the Gypsies

Shock and alarm in Café René as Yvette reveals that she is pregnant. A truth serum from a Patagonian firefly causes von Smallhausen’s backside to sparkle in the most delightful way. Kim, Richard and Guy recall a studio prank that involved the late, great comedian Frank Carson. And their antics at Schiphol airport prove that they still have not grown up very much.

Fun and merriment as the gypsies come to town. René has his fortune told but Edith’s hand is too wrinkly to get an accurate reading. Louise Gold returns as Elsa Bigstern, and Michelle of the Resistance sports a highly fetching swimsuit.

Kim, Guy and Richard make the most of the hot summer days by recording the pod in Kim’s garden. All kinds of subjects are covered, including the guest appearance of the magninficent Louise Gold, in the role of Elsa Bigstern, who is there to take care of the office – as well as Herr Flick – while Helga takes a few days off. The airmen are down a drain, and have to be fed sausages via René’s trouser leg, and soup from Fanny’s wheelchair. To add to the fun, the general gets a good hosing down with vanilla ice cream.

Thanks to the limitless ingenuity of Michelle of the Resistance, the Airmen have been packed into wine barrels, ready to be floated down a sewer. Wait and see whether or not it will work… To make relations between the locals and the occupying forces appear cordial, Captain Bertorelli is set up to marry Edith, which he approaches with great enthusiasm. And she proves to be quite appreciative of his attentions – a gem of a scene for Carmen Silvera and Roger Kitter.

Kim, Guy and Richard reminisce about the recording days of ‘Allo ‘Allo!, and regularly being refused entry to the studio by the BBC Jobsworths. Kim and Richard recall their unacceptable behaviour as teenaged bartenders, and Guy remembers going to a party with an elephant.

The women of the town are dressed in their finest as they compete to be the Spirit of Nouvion pin-up in the local paper. Lots of fun in the cellar as Flick and Helga have a lovers’ tiff and let rip at each other. John Louis Mansi as von Smallhausen surpasses himself in this episode, especially with this sinister impression of Peter Lorre. Meanwhile, in the office, Gruber reluctantly defeats the Colonel at chess. Now that the new writer, Paul Adam, has settled in, the concensus is that he is doing a fine job.

Flick and von Smallhausen are finally rescued from the monastery by Helga, who whisks them away on an enormous tricycle. The chat around Kim’s table covers a generous range of topics, including General von Klinkerhoffen in stockings and suspenders. Someone in the make-up department has given Monsieur Alphonse’s moustache and eyebrows a sprightly extra twirl this week. Michelle of the Resistance shows a leg – which causes quite a stir in the café, and no mistake.

Despite having no memory of this episode at all, Kim, Guy and Richard soon warm up to it, and all agree it is one of the very best episodes in the entire series. There is a surprise appearance from the late, great Sam Kelly, reprising his role as Hans – only this time he is working for British Intelligence, and the whole episode is helped along by some stirling performaces from a range of guest artists. Definitely one to watch.

Any mention of monks in this show is sure to feature scourging, and the writers do not disappoint. Helga arrives on a large tricycle at the monastery where Flick and von Smallhausen are held captive. The Germans have awarded René a medal for bravery, which does not make him popular in the town – even the pigeons have taken against him, and have rewarded Edith with an unpleasant deposit. The Airmen look especially fetching this week as cleaning ladies in the café.

Now that the old couple have finally landed back on earth, they find themselves trapped behind a wall and have to be released by Monsieur Alphonse with some gelignite. Flick and von Smallhausen get caught in the crossfire and are blown to shreds once again. Gruber and von Flockenstuffen have cpmpleted the improvements to the Colonel’s office, and it is now a delightful shade of coral pink. Kim delivers two perfect Rose Hill impressions and is appointed our official Fanny impersonator. Something of a German-heavy episode this week – not much of the people in the café, and no sign at all of Michelle of the Resistance. But fear not, they’ll soon be back.