‘A FATE FAR WORSE THAN DEATH’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

In this episode that follows up on ‘Kidnapped in the Khyber’, the Concert Party discover that the sack thrown over to them happens to contain a melon and not the head of Mrs. Daphne Waddilove-Evans. There’s also a note to say that Daphne will be returned to the Concert Party for an exchange.

The Pathan will return Mrs. Waddilove-Evans if the Concert Party return their pornographic books back to them, plus the company’s rifles. Of course, giving the company’s rifles to the Pathan will mean a court-martial for Colonel Reynolds and Captain Ashwood, and they can’t allow that to occur.

I found it funny when the episode began, everyone seemed frozen whilst Rangi Ram gave us the opening recap of what happened in the previous episode. Does everyone freeze on the spot every time Rangi gives us an opening monologue? I don’t think that René Artois from ‘Allo, ‘Allo’ does that.

It was funny when the Concert Party was dressed up to look like Arabs from the performers’ costumes in order to go looking for Mrs. Waddilove-Evans. The Concert Party soon find a skeleton when out in the desert and assume it to be Daphne. Thankfully, it isn’t her. The Colonel is relieved. 🙂

There’s a note attached to the skeleton from Daphne to confirm that. In the end, the Concert Party go around in a circle, since they end up back at the old fort, which was where they started. The Sgt-Major fumes about this. 😀 A plan is soon formed to provide fake rifles to the Pathan in the episode.

Lofty is the one who gets sent out, although he did volunteer, since he knows the Sgt-Major will pick him anyway. I found that funny. 😀 Mind you, it’s clear Lofty wants to get on top of Mrs. Waddilove-Evans when rescuing her. 🙂 Captain Ashwood also brings the Concert Party to the wrong rendezvous.

The Sgt-Major also fumes about this. 😀 It also transpires that the tribesmen raided the fort in the men’s absence, even though Captain Ashwood and Parkin were meant to protect it. Their water containers are destroyed, meaning the company will have to drink engine water, medicine and gin. 😐

It causes them to pass out. Thankfully, they manage to find Daphne, who returns to them on a white horse, though the Concert Party are desperate for fresh water, which is nearby. Overall, this is an enjoyable second episode to the two-part story we’ve been having to involve Mrs. Waddilove-Evans.

‘A Fate Worse Than Death’ rating – 8/10