‘THE LIES HAVE IT’
Please feel free to comment on my review.
In this ‘Brittas Empire’ episode, Gordon returns to attend to the aftermath of the explosion that happened in the previous episode. Gordon gives his staff advice on how to be safe in a building site. He’s disappointed when Colin isn’t wearing a safety helmet, but he inadvertently causes an accident.
I’m surprised the accident goes unnoticed, causing more builders victims, unable to say anything and warn anyone. Incidentally, this episode features Leslie Schofield as Mr. Donaldson, the head builder. I’ve seen Leslie Schofield in the ‘Doctor Who’ story ‘The Face of Evil’. It’s amazing to find him in this!
This episode also features the return of David Crean as Michael T. Farrell III, Laura’s American husband. Michael desperately attempts to apply for a job as a junior pool attendant whilst Laura’s away in London. Gordon fanatically opposes him, as he makes it clear he doesn’t like Michael. 😐
Helen also covers up another adulterous night out – presumably with Pip Torrens’ character from the previous episode – by getting the staff to lie to Gordon that they attended a fictional birthday party for Carole. It was Carole’s birthday yesterday, but no-one was there to celebrate it. How sad. 🙁
Soon, the staff gets caught out by Brittas when he points out inconsistent details. This includes Colin not being there to attend; the size of the present from a little box to a bundle of towels and how many people were around the table whether circular or square. Gordon works out they lied to him.
Tim also finds out Gavin has been studying management in secret. This causes the gay lovers to fist-fight each other. I suppose it’s fascinating how Gavin seems to have backstabbed Tim by wanting to become a manager. I guess if Brittas was a better manager, Tim would see things very differently.
Brittas works out incorrectly that Michael Farrell had an affair with another woman and he tried to cover it up, but Michael goes along with it since he protects Helen in the cover-up she had with another man. Laura thankfully doesn’t find out, though she’s pleased that he tried to apply for a job.
Laura also shares her news to Michael that they’re going to have a baby soon. It means a good chance of Michael getting his inheritance. I liked the last scene between Gordon and Helen where they talk about Laura and Michael. Thankfully, Gordon doesn’t tell the ‘truth’ to Laura about Michael.
‘The Lies Have It’ rating – 8/10
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Hi Tim,
I felt bad for Michael, having been thrown under the bus by Helen, and I was glad that Laura didn’t find out the false truth. I also felt that Gordon was rather unfair to Michael, especially bringing up his nationality when trying to deny him the job of junior pool attendant. And if Michael had rebelled against Helen and told Gordon it was her having the affair, I think Gordon wouldn’t have believed him anyway.
P.s. to reiterate the question that I asked when commenting on ‘Opening Day’, is Whitbury supposed to be in Kent?
Xavier
Hi Xavier,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this ‘Brittas Empire’ episode. I suppose Michael became lucky that Laura didn’t find out the false truth. It’s also interesting that Laura appears halfway in the episode, as quite often, she’d be in most of the episodes from beginning to end. I suppose Michael is a kind of saint when he protects Helen from sharing to Gordon that she had an affair with someone.
I’m not sure if Whitbury is in Kent. It could well be, considering they had the Duchess of Kent visiting them in ‘Opening Day’. The Brittas Empire Wiki page on Whitbury doesn’t help much as it just says a fictional town in the BBC television sitcom ‘The Brittas Empire’.
Best wishes,
Tim 🙂