Happy Release

"Happy Release" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 21 November 1975.^[1] In this episode, Fletcher and Blanco make a plan to get revenge on Norris for stealing Blanco's things.

Synopsis

Fletcher is in the prison infirmary with a broken leg. This is most inconvenient for Mr Mackay, as he had Fletcher down for drainage detail, and Fletcher then fell off the ladder. Fletcher is sharing the ward with the elderly Blanco Webb and the unpleasant Norris. Blanco lost his possessions to Norris through a card game, although it is implied that Norris was cheating. Godber comes in at mealtimes to give them their food.

That night, Blanco tells Fletcher that if he dies before he is released from prison, he has a treasure map which he would bequeath to Fletcher. Overhearing this information, Norris searches Fletcher's bed, and the noise attracts Mr Barrowclough, who is on night duty. Barrowclough scolds Norris, as he is about to be released from prison, and that it would be unwise for him to jeapordise his parole. Barrowclough then attempts to search Fletcher, but realises that it could be a diversion for all the prisoners to escape.

Next morning, Norris makes a proposition with Fletcher and Blanco. If they give him the treasure map, he would look after the treasure until both men are released. Fletcher agrees, if Norris can find the map. Before Norris is released from prison, he speaks to Godber, asking if Fletcher gave him a book with a piece of paper in it. At first, Godber refuses to betray Fletcher, but Norris offers Godber a valuable silver snuffbox, a music box which plays Waltzing Matilda and a Japanese radio. Godber finally accepts.

On Godber's next round to the infirmary, he is called a Judas by Fletcher, but it turns out that Norris' things were actually Blanco's and the treasure map was a fake. They concocted the plan to pay Norris out. The episode ends with Norris digging up a football pitch in Leeds and being arrested by the police. They listen to the news on Blanco's radio.

Episode cast

References