The Frog's Legacy
Encyclopedia
"The Frog's Legacy" is the sixth Christmas
special episode of the BBC
sitcom, Only Fools and Horses
. It is the first episode of the series to introduce the unseen but pivotal character, Frederick "Freddie the Frog" Robdal, later revealed to be Rodney Trotter's real, biological father. It was first screened on 25 December, 1987.
, Rodney
and Albert
attend the wedding of Trigger
's niece, Lisa, who had previously appeared in the episode "Tea for Three
". Whilst there, Del is informed by Trigger's Aunt Renee (Joan Sims
), about a known local gentleman thief, Freddie "The Frog" Robdal.
It transpires that Del and Rodney's mother met Robdal and "befriended" him (a euphemism for Del's mother having had a brief affair with him, as was revealed she had done many times with a number of men throughout the series' development) before Rodney was born. Renee describes Freddie Robdal as a very cultured man, very much interested in French wine and paintings (Renee claims that when the Police
raided Robdal's holiday home it was full of original Monet's), although as she states it, Robdal was a "bit of a dandy".
As the story goes, Robdal and a small gang of crooks broke into a bank in London
in August 1963 and stole £250,000 pounds in gold bullion; the rest of the gang were apprehended by the Police
, but Robdal managed to somehow escape with the gold and hid it. It is on this information that Del embarks on a mission to find the lost gold, having inherited it from his mother on her death, who in turn, had had it bequeathed to her by Robdal in his will.
Uncle Albert, who knew Robdal vaguely during the war
, finishes the tale later in the episode by stating that shortly after stealing the gold, and whilst still on the run from the Police, Robdal and an explosives expert, referred to only as "Jelly" Kelly, attempted to break into a Post Office
in Plumstead
. With Kelly having set the wires for the explosive and the robbery proceeding apparently well, Robdal inexplicably sat on the detonator, killing both men almost instantly. Albert claims that Robdal's body was found on the roof of a building opposite the Post Office he was intending to rob, and when Del enquires as to the fate of "Jelly" Kelly, Albert states that he had been holding onto the nitroglycerine when Robdal had sat down, implying that he also did not survive the explosion (or as Rodney quips "Well, if he did, he'd be no good in a Mexican Wave"). Del mentions that he heard that Robdal had an affair with a married woman who lived on the estate and wonders why he left everything to Del and Rodney's mother. He also mentions a rumour that Robdal had an illegitimate child by that woman who would approximately be Rodney's age now. The throwaway remark begins to worry Rodney about the possibility that he may very well be that child, though Uncle Albert (visibly uncomfortable) dismisses it as a mere rumour.
During the course of the story, Del gets Rodney a new job, though he declines to mention that it is working for the local funeral directors as a chief mourner, a fact Rodney does not take kindly to when he does find out. However, through his job there Rodney finds out that Robdal had purchased a coffin from Rodney's employers when they first started business for a "friend" named "Alfred Broderick". Rodney quickly deduces that "Alfred Broderick" was in fact an anagram of "Frederick Robdal", implying that Broderick did not exist, and that Robdal had purchased the coffin to hide the gold in and had arranged a fake funeral for it to be buried. While attempting to sell a faulty computer to the priest who married Andy and Lisa, Del finally learns of the gold's whereabouts.
Unfortunately, it emerges that Robdal earned the nickname
"The Frog" as he was a frogman
in the Royal Navy
, not due to his love "of all things French", and had buried the gold at sea, with the intention of hiding it from the authorities until he could find the right time to recover it, although he would be killed before the opportunity presented itself. Del is determined to find it, leaving with a promise to come back, and Rodney once again questions Albert as to whether he and Robdal were related: Albert doesn't confirm it, again dismissing it as a rumour, but does acknowledge that he and Robdal do look alike. Rodney surmises the man who may well be his father: "Freddie the Frog. Killed himself by sitting on somone else's detonator. What a plonker!"
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
special episode of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom, Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
. It is the first episode of the series to introduce the unseen but pivotal character, Frederick "Freddie the Frog" Robdal, later revealed to be Rodney Trotter's real, biological father. It was first screened on 25 December, 1987.
Synopsis
Del BoyDel Boy
Derek Edward Trotter, better known as "Del Boy", is the fictional lead character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and one of the main characters of its prequel, Rock & Chips...
, Rodney
Rodney Trotter
Rodney Charlton Trotter is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst.-Personality:Rodney's personality was based on the experiences of series creator John Sullivan, who also had an older sibling and, like Rodney, claimed to have been a dreamer and...
and Albert
Uncle Albert
Albert Gladstone Trotter is a fictional character from the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. He was introduced during the fourth season as a replacement for the character of Grandad due to the death of actor Lennard Pearce...
attend the wedding of Trigger
Trigger (Only Fools and Horses)
Trigger is a character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. He is played by actor Roger Lloyd Pack....
's niece, Lisa, who had previously appeared in the episode "Tea for Three
Tea for Three
"Tea for Three" is an episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses. It was the fourth episode of series 5, and was first screened on 21 September 1986.-Synopsis:...
". Whilst there, Del is informed by Trigger's Aunt Renee (Joan Sims
Joan Sims
Joan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
), about a known local gentleman thief, Freddie "The Frog" Robdal.
It transpires that Del and Rodney's mother met Robdal and "befriended" him (a euphemism for Del's mother having had a brief affair with him, as was revealed she had done many times with a number of men throughout the series' development) before Rodney was born. Renee describes Freddie Robdal as a very cultured man, very much interested in French wine and paintings (Renee claims that when the Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
raided Robdal's holiday home it was full of original Monet's), although as she states it, Robdal was a "bit of a dandy".
As the story goes, Robdal and a small gang of crooks broke into a bank in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in August 1963 and stole £250,000 pounds in gold bullion; the rest of the gang were apprehended by the Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, but Robdal managed to somehow escape with the gold and hid it. It is on this information that Del embarks on a mission to find the lost gold, having inherited it from his mother on her death, who in turn, had had it bequeathed to her by Robdal in his will.
Uncle Albert, who knew Robdal vaguely during the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, finishes the tale later in the episode by stating that shortly after stealing the gold, and whilst still on the run from the Police, Robdal and an explosives expert, referred to only as "Jelly" Kelly, attempted to break into a Post Office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
in Plumstead
Plumstead
Plumstead is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. Plumstead is a multi cultural area with large Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, in similarity to local areas such as Woolwich and Thamesmead...
. With Kelly having set the wires for the explosive and the robbery proceeding apparently well, Robdal inexplicably sat on the detonator, killing both men almost instantly. Albert claims that Robdal's body was found on the roof of a building opposite the Post Office he was intending to rob, and when Del enquires as to the fate of "Jelly" Kelly, Albert states that he had been holding onto the nitroglycerine when Robdal had sat down, implying that he also did not survive the explosion (or as Rodney quips "Well, if he did, he'd be no good in a Mexican Wave"). Del mentions that he heard that Robdal had an affair with a married woman who lived on the estate and wonders why he left everything to Del and Rodney's mother. He also mentions a rumour that Robdal had an illegitimate child by that woman who would approximately be Rodney's age now. The throwaway remark begins to worry Rodney about the possibility that he may very well be that child, though Uncle Albert (visibly uncomfortable) dismisses it as a mere rumour.
During the course of the story, Del gets Rodney a new job, though he declines to mention that it is working for the local funeral directors as a chief mourner, a fact Rodney does not take kindly to when he does find out. However, through his job there Rodney finds out that Robdal had purchased a coffin from Rodney's employers when they first started business for a "friend" named "Alfred Broderick". Rodney quickly deduces that "Alfred Broderick" was in fact an anagram of "Frederick Robdal", implying that Broderick did not exist, and that Robdal had purchased the coffin to hide the gold in and had arranged a fake funeral for it to be buried. While attempting to sell a faulty computer to the priest who married Andy and Lisa, Del finally learns of the gold's whereabouts.
Unfortunately, it emerges that Robdal earned the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
"The Frog" as he was a frogman
Frogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, not due to his love "of all things French", and had buried the gold at sea, with the intention of hiding it from the authorities until he could find the right time to recover it, although he would be killed before the opportunity presented itself. Del is determined to find it, leaving with a promise to come back, and Rodney once again questions Albert as to whether he and Robdal were related: Albert doesn't confirm it, again dismissing it as a rumour, but does acknowledge that he and Robdal do look alike. Rodney surmises the man who may well be his father: "Freddie the Frog. Killed himself by sitting on somone else's detonator. What a plonker!"
Episode cast
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Story arc
- This is the second occasion in the show's history that the issue of whether or not Rodney and Del share the same father is raised. It had previously been brought up in "Thicker than WaterThicker than Water (Only Fools and Horses)"Thicker than Water" is an episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses. It was the third Christmas special, and was first screened on 25 December 1983.-Synopsis:...
" when their estranged father Reg tricked them into believing that Del was not his son — though this was later exposed as a result of troublemaking on his part. Although Albert assures Rodney that the suggestion that he was fathered by Freddie Robdal were just rumours, "Sleepless in PeckhamSleepless in Peckham"Sleepless in Peckham" is an episode of BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, first screened on 25 December 2003 as the third and final part of the early 2000s Christmas trilogy, and as the final episode of the entire series.-Synopsis:...
" settles the issue that Freddie was Rodney's father, and this is further confirmed in the 2010 prequel series Rock & Chips, in which Freddie (played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) has an affair with Del's mother before Rodney was born. It was suggested in a BBC interview with writer John Sullivan that it was intended that the reappearance of Robdal would signal the end of the show, but he decided against it and wrote Robdal into the series as already dead. "Sleepless in Peckham" would also establish that Del, as a young man, only ever knew Robdal as "Uncle Fred", which explained why Del was unfamiliar with Robdal's real name until Uncle Albert drunkenly told him the truth about Robdal's past with the Trotters.
Production
- Most of the outside filming took place in IpswichIpswichIpswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
on the junction of Rectory and Seymour roads near Stoke Bridge. - This Christmas special marked the end of an era for the show, both in front of and behind the cameras. Ray ButtRay ButtRay Butt is a British television producer and director best known for his work on Only Fools and Horses in which he directed in season one and in seasons to follow he also directed and produced until season five when he moved onto new projects. Ray Butt is also remembered for his work on Last of...
, who had been the show's producer since it started in 1981, decided to leave the BBC shortly after filming was complete. The day before he left, Butt told John Sullivan that he should seriously consider letting the series end with this episode; Butt felt that the series had run its course, and pointed to the disastrous reception of the previous year's Christmas special, "A Royal FlushA Royal Flush"A Royal Flush" is an episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, first screened on 25 December 1986. It was the second feature-length edition of the show, and the fifth Christmas special. It was re-edited into a shorter version with added laughter track and released on DVD in 2004...
" as proof of his point. Sullivan gave thought to Butt's words, but after "The Frog's Legacy" received a much more positive reception than "A Royal Flush" had done, decided to continue the series. However, Sullivan shared Butt's concerns that the series' format was starting to become stale, and so starting with the next Christmas special, "DatesDates (Only Fools and Horses)"Dates" is the seventh Christmas special episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, first screened on 25 December 1988.-Synopsis:The Trotters have been earning a lot of money recently, and Albert's birthday is coming up, though Del Boy and Rodney pretend to have forgotten...
," the series would maintain a balance between Del's get-rich-quick schemes and the personal lives of the Trotter Family.
Music
- Rick AstleyRick AstleyRichard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
: Never Gonna Give You UpNever Gonna Give You UpA group of London dance producers, called The Rickrollerz made a house music cover version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" on that day, and in honor of that event.... - Mel and KimMel and KimMel and Kim were a British pop duo, comprising sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. They achieved success between 1986 and 1988 before Melanie succumbed to cancer.-Biography:...
: FLM - George MichaelGeorge MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
: FaithFaithFaith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,... - Wham!WHAM!Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Sinitta : So MachoSo Macho"So Macho" is a pop song by American singer Sinitta. The song was released in 1985 as her self-titled debut album's second single.-Song information:...
- Sinitta : Toy Boy
- Bryan FerryBryan FerryBryan Ferry, CBE is an English singer, musician, and songwriter. Ferry came to public prominence in the early 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with the band Roxy Music, who enjoyed a highly successful career with three number one albums and ten singles entering the top ten charts in...
: Smoke Gets In Your EyesSmoke Gets in Your Eyes"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is a show tune written by American composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for their 1933 operetta Roberta. It was originally recorded by Gertrude Niesen, on 13 October 1933 on the Victor label 24454. It was performed by Irene Dunne for the 1935 film adaptation,...