Final Stretch (Porridge)

"Final Stretch" is the final episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge, the sixth episode of the third series. It first aired on 25 March 1977. Godber's upcoming parole hearing is threatened by the prospect of a fight with fellow inmate Jarvis. Meanwhile, Fletcher is suspicious of his daughter's holiday plans.

Synopsis

The episode opens during the prisoners visiting hour. Fletcher’s daughter Ingrid tells him about her holiday plans to go to Italy which depresses him. Ingrid reassures him by saying he’s only got over a year to go before he is released. Fletcher also learns that Ingrid and Godber have been keeping in touch as pen pals. Because Godber is to face the parole board in a week’s time, Fletcher suspects a relationship between him and Ingrid.

Later that day, a brawl takes place in the yard between Godber and a convicted football hooligan named Jarvis. Mr Barrowclough breaks up the fight and the two are brought before Mr Mackay. Godber and Jarvis pretend to be the best of friends who were only having high spirits. Although they are let off with a warning, they challenge each other to another fight.

Fletcher criticises Godber for his poor lack of judgement with his parole hearing imminent. Fletcher says if his parole hearing was close, he wouldn’t let any insult bother him. To further illustrate his point, Fletcher says that turning the other cheek takes more bottle than fighting. Fletcher’s main concern is that Jarvis is likely to seriously injure or even kill Godber.

During recreation hour, Jarvis goads Godber into another fight. Fletcher intervenes and lifts the television set. Mackay orders everyone to stand still, and Fletcher pretends he was only adjusting the set. However, the TV now has a picture and Fletcher is forced to remain with the TV above his head while the other prisoners sit down to watch TV.

That weekend, Fletcher decides he’ll have to take on Jarvis for Godber. It would mean Fletcher receiving solitary confinement and loss of remission, but at least Godber would be safe and his record clean.

In the yard, Fletcher confronts Jarvis and calls him “toilet mouth”, but Jarvis only laughs it off. Fletcher then makes a derogatory, sexual joke about Jarvis’ wife, but again Jarvis laughs it off. However, Jarvis tells the joke to Crusher and this causes a fight between Crusher and Jarvis’ gang. The guards break up the fight, and Fletcher thanks God.

Godber is approved for parole and thanks Fletcher for willing to sacrifice his own remission for him. Godber admits to Fletcher that the Jarvis affair was due to Jarvis making an obscene remark about Ingrid. Fletcher is pleased that Godber was defending his family honour. Before he leaves, Godber confirms Fletcher’s suspicions by saying he is going on holiday to Italy with a friend (Ingrid).

After Godber’s departure, Mr Mackay visits Fletcher. Mackay comments how Fletcher has changed his attitude since Godber left and that a new inmate called Nicholson is moving in with Fletcher. Fletcher tells Mackay he intends to tell the inmate three things, but only shows Mackay two fingers, before showing three fingers. This was another opportunity for Fletcher to stick the fingers at Mackay and get away with it. The episode ends on a freeze frame of Fletcher showing Mackay three fingers.