One Foot in the Grave (TV Series) The Trial (1993) User Reviews

Brave, but succeeds...

[andrewjens-336-975762 · 8/10 · 29 March 2014]

This episode is a brave episode because it succeeds against the paradigm of every other sitcom episode in the history of television. Richard Wilson (via the writers) carries off the episode by himself ... which is the brave bit.

The episode won't be to everyone's taste, but it must be seen in relation to the other episodes in the series. The agony that is Victor Meldrew's character is clearly on display, but the number of events he needs to navigate wins the day. I especially like the scene where he tries to solve the cryptic crossword (haven't we all been there?).

To other television episode writers: perhaps think about how an episode like this can succeed before adding other characters and events?

An astounding performance.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 17 December 2019]

I can think of no sitcom, let alone show, where the lead actor could single handedly perform an episode to this degree.

Arguably Wilson's finest moment, Victor is frustrated, angry, contemplative and seriously funny. The humour is incredible, the yucca plant in the downstairs toilet for one, the bread another, and of course the pen.

It won't be everyone's cup of tea, it's not an episode I watch on a regular basis, but I can appreciate it enormously for what it is, such a brave decision. Such was the ability of writer David Renwick and performer Richard Wilson.

Outstanding. 9/10

Verdict: Excellent

[stevenm-07117 · 10/10 · 28 December 2019]

Of all the brilliantly written One Foot in the Grave episodes, this might well be David Renwick's crowning achievement. The plot isn't hugely elaborate, but thirty solid minutes of Victor Meldrew talking to himself - and in a sense, at the Fourth Wall - works spectacularly well in this one-off setting.

Even in most of the all-time great sitcoms, it's difficult to imagine an entire episode of Basil Fawlty or Frank Spencer by themselves working seamlessly, without having their beleaguered wives or other characters to bounce off at some point - indeed, the Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em writers once tried and got about halfway before needing Betty (I'm aware that reference to this show won't make sense for every reader).

Obviously Annette Crosbie is absent for this one, the feint mumble of Mrs. Warboys on the phone for a few seconds is about the only regular 'company' Richard Wilson is given. From leaky pens and madcap crosswords to toilets and loaves of bread with - no spoilers - unusual inhabitants, via political musings and letters to estranged brothers, Victor keeps himself bored and the audience totally entertained as he awaits jury service on a rainy day.