‘LAURA’S LEAVING’
Please feel free to comment on my review.
This ‘Brittas Empire’ episode has Laura about to go for a job interview to be a leisure centre manager in London. Mr. Brittas is very supportive of Laura going for an interview and gives him some words of advice – despite her being dressed smart and having lipstick already. Laura takes it so well however.
Helen however is upset about Laura leaving. She doesn’t want her to go since she considers Laura a friend. Helen is also afraid that Laura might be the only person who can keep the leisure centre stable. That’s not the case for Series 6 and 7, but it’s something to worry about when we come to it.
This episode features Paul Humpoletz as maths teacher Mr. Jackson. A maths teacher with a shotgun, I might add. 😀 Mr. Jackson’s patience gets tested when he’s unable to get a cup of coffee from the vending machine. He has to go through the paperwork and camera check to get his refund.
It was funny when the coffee machine squirted his trousers at one point. Once the patience reaches its limit, Mr. Jackson opens fire his shotgun to get what he wants. This is after Brittas sacks Carole, Colin and nearly everyone else when disaster strikes in the centre’s swimming pool during a baptism.
Yeah, perhaps I should explain that. You see, Colin comes into work with a concussion. He can’t remember things, so he’s unfit for work. Mr. Brittas doesn’t do the sensible thing of sending him home and instead instructs him to raise the heat in the swimming pool. This is where disaster occurs.
Colin applies a dangerous method to heat the swimming pool with an electric heater whilst the pool is filled with Pentecostals holding a baptism ceremony. To be fair, Brittas pulls the cable and the electric heater is dropped into the pool, electrocuting the Pentecostals and causing power to go out.
Carole also gets fired when Brittas sees she’s brought her babies back into the leisure centre to provide baby care. Brittas told Carole not to do it and she disobeyed. Brittas’ temper flares up by this point, hence why he’s driven to provoke the whole staff. Thankfully, Laura returns on the case here.
Laura suggests to Brittas to change Carole’s role of receptionist and have her become in charge of the nursery to take care of her children. Mind you, I think Carole is still the receptionist for the rest of the series. Laura also turns down the job of leisure centre manager in London, so much to Helen’s relief.
‘Laura’s Leaving’ rating – 8/10
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Bradley's Basement 
Hi Tim.
I’m pleased to have watched ‘The Brittas Empire’. It makes a change seeing Chris Barrie play a different character to Arnold Rimmer. Apparently Gordan Brittas has often been compared to Captain Mainwaring and is also said to be a popular portrayal of a character with Aspergers.
The series itself has been great so far. I am commenting on ‘Laura’s Leaving’ as that is the latest episode I’ve seen. Series 3 has been the best so far I have to agree. The character development and humour is better, and the sets look brighter and cleaner than for series 1 and 2. I’ve enjoyed the subtle portrayal of Gavin and Tim as a gay couple. I also find it ironic that the actor that plays Gavin is called Tim. 😀
I might as well share my thoughts on ‘Laura’s Leaving’. It was absolutely insane! It was tense enough when Colin came in with a concussion. But it got quite dark (both literally and figuratively) when the Pentecostals were electrocuted. It was a relief that they survived. Of course, the crowning moment was when Gordon fired Carole and all the staff turned their backs on him, even Linda. I was quite shocked when Mr. Jackson fired his gun and then relieved when Laura got back and later on announced she was staying.
I hope to share more thoughts on ‘The Brittas Empire’ in the near-future.
Take care, WF92.
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Hi WF92,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on ‘The Brittas Empire’ series so far. Glad you’re currently enjoying it. Interesting comparisons of Gordon Brittas with Captain Mainwaring and someone with Asperger’s. That never occurred to me when watching the series. Though, Brittas does say he’s the captain of his ship in the last episode of Series 7.
Glad you’re enjoying the character development and set design in Series 3 compared to Series 1 and 2. Yes, interesting to see Gavin and Tim as a gay couple and yes, it’s ironic Gavin is played by a Tim instead of a Gavin. 😀 I’m pleased you enjoyed ‘Laura’s Leaving’. It’s an insane episode, especially with Colin getting concussion and the Pentecoastals getting electrocuted. I agree, it got dark by that point. 😀 Yes, even Linda turned his back on Brittas in the episode. I was surprised by that, considering Linda seemed to be one of the loyal ones in Brittas’ company. Yeah, Jackson firing his gun is shocking, especially when he’s meant to be a maths teacher. I’m not sure why he brought the shotgun into the leisure centre in the first place. 😀
Hope you enjoy more of ‘The Brittas Empire’ series. Looking forward to hearing from you again on this series soon.
Tim 🙂
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