User Reviews

The long-awaited variety night leads to a packed episode.All the regulars appear, making this probably the first episode since the pilot where everyone on the cast list is actually in it.They all get their moments to shine, even Sally gets a bit, with Floss and Neville's comedy routine, Tom and Alf in drag and Pippa as lead singer.Adam Willits comes close to stealing the episode with Steven's silent reaction to realising he's been set up with Sandra, which gives Lynn some nice material.

The only duff note is Ailsa's routine, which is pitched so poorly it's hard to know what to make of it.The routine is fairly dreadful so it's no surprise no-one's impressed but if they tolerated Celia's singing it should deserve some polite applause rather than stony silence.If it's because of the gossip, why are characters like Donald, Lynn and Steven, who are on her side and/or non-judgemental staying silent?And why, when Bobby, Tom and Steven start the applause, do all the extras suddenly start applauding enthusiastically like it's the best thing they've ever seen?

But the closing number guarantees a high note to go out on, with some nice reaction shots emphasising Roo's increased isolation.