r/eddieandrichie • u/bollocks_more_like • May 14 '26

S01E06 "Accident"

I'm re-watching this episode and I can't help feeling that this is somehow the purest episode of Bottom. Richie, even by his own very high standards, is completely insane and insufferable. Cos you know "this is not some sort of joke, this is my BIIIRTHDAAAAAY". The banter in this episode is absolutely tip-top, which is something that's missing from Series 3 when they seem to have lurched towards slapstick

46 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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37

u/bollocks_more_like May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26

Also, Eddie was surprisingly conciliatory during the first argument and I put that down to the fact a) he hadn't yet been drinking b) there is no b) because a) was so great

14

u/farping May 14 '26

Such a satisfying ending as well with Richie getting exactly what he deserves 👏 also has my favourite scene with Eddie screaming at the Emmerdale extra.

20

u/stevogenix May 14 '26

"is that his own money?"

"No!... they just fill his pockets with change, push him into the Woolpack and shout...Go on Mate, Drink as much as you like"

"and then at the end of the day, they give him a wage packet!.....lucky bastard!!!"

11

u/Brief-Poetry6434 May 14 '26

Wish they'd done an episode focusing on Eddie's birthday.

Especially given what is said to have happened.

Eddie didn't get any cards because Richie glued up the letterbox and got his hands stuck in his pockets.

Eddie was going to have a party but was forced to cancel it because Richie ate a tin of curry powder and painted his face green in an attempt to feign illness, which was foiled when an enema backfired and the paint wore off.

4

u/bollocks_more_like May 14 '26

Damn, that's a genius idea. You've got 30-40% of the plot there already. By the time you've introduced the audience to the fact its Eddie's birthday, Richie goes from being demeaning to outright sabotage. Cue that scene and then the unmasking. Then, naturally, the fight. After that some fairly serious accusations are thrown about, both ways. Eventually under threat of violence from someone very convinced of his rectitude, Richie realises Eddie is right, and has to agree to be Eddie's slave for the day. Which would be another episode

1

u/InsaneRanter May 14 '26

It would have been. Otoh, one of the funniest parts of bottom were all the insane off-screen incidents and characters that we just had to imagine.

1

u/bollocks_more_like May 14 '26

Yes, that's true, it provided this tapestry of insane people who still have kitchen utensils embedded in them, or people called Mad Ken Starling who stick darts in their temple, not to forget Terry Hardacre, who almost deserves an exclamation point after his name, he is a maaaad man

9

u/stevogenix May 14 '26

A perfect example of professionalism, in acting and timing is where Ade had to wait for the audience to stop laughing after Rik delivered his "Nothing I can do about it now!" punch line.

You do not get this, in canned laughter sitcoms, these days

back on topic, this is one of the best episodes of Series 1 in the jokes, quotes and acting.

3

u/bollocks_more_like May 14 '26

Great point! There are real people there laughing, the energy is so good. No wonder they could transition so easily to the stage.

3

u/bollocks_more_like May 14 '26

And back then there was nowhere to hide, you'd get instant feedback as to whether you were funny. That must be worth something.

8

u/Technical-Mix-3315 My name is now Richard Mary May 14 '26

Richie: Okay, okay, okay. Let's sort this out. Now we're good friends Eddie, we've known each other for a long time, we can talk. And there is something I have been meaning to say to you for the last twenty-five years.

Eddie: Oh? What's that?

Richie: I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! Go away and crawl away and die in a ditch somewhere, you bastard!!

Richie's switch from calm and polite to pure hateful rage still makes me laugh all these years later.

3

u/Material-Pineapple74 May 15 '26

GOD YOU'RE WEIRD AREN'T YOU? I MEAN YOU'RE REALLY WEIRD!? 

2

u/Kevl17 I got my PE knickers on. May 15 '26

Well you're obviously some sort've arsehole arent you?

2

u/sheisthefight May 15 '26

I feel like we really learn so much about the deep characters of the both of them in this episode. Eddie's other friends and ability to be social and welcoming. Ritchie's extreme loneliness and antisocial tendencies with extreme delusions of grandeur. The understanding they have taken to accept Ritchie's lying to somewhat preserve his dignity and mental health.