Festive Names

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 307694" data-attributes="member: 23">What else to follow on from Porridge but the sequel series... <img src="https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fuktvscene.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F09%2FGoing-Straight.jpg&f=1&nofb=1" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> As with Porridge, I've never watched Going Straight. I  knew it existed (though I'm not sure how) but, unlike Porridge, I don't believe I ever even caught this one on TV even briefly. It's one of those series that feels elusive to the point of being legendary.What did I know about it going in? Well, it's short (one series, six episodes); Barker plays Fletch in his life after Slade; Patricia Brake returns to play Ingrid. That was about it up to last week when I stumbled upon another couple of spoilers including one regarding the final episode. But not to worry. It's about the journey not the destination.Speaking of the journey, I appreciated the entire first episode of Going Straight was set on a train ride as Fletch travelled home. That much of the episode was a conversation between Fletch and Mackay was a lovely callback to both Prisoner and Escort and the final scene of Porridge. As a standalone piece, I didn't find Going Home as clever or as intimate as Prisoner and Escort, (too many distractions and additional characters coming and going for that) but perhaps I'm pointlessly comparing apples and oranges.However, since I've started I'll say in Going Home's favour that I really appreciated the vast majority of the episode being confined to one location from which the occupants can't escape. As well as giving it a nice stagey quality it also gives some continuity from Porridge, the best of which often took place between two characters in a locked prison cell.I also enjoyed that both Mackay and Fletch were facing up to a new start without their respective roles and uniforms, with Mackay's enforced retirement at 55 (which came with a digital clock) meaning he, too, would be looking for work. The common ground between added to the subtextual intimacy and respect. I felt there was also a bit of ambiguity with Mackay being on the same train. He claimed he'd forgotten his journey would coincide with Fletch's release, but I found myself wondering if it was - consciously or otherwise - because he wanted to say a kind of goodbye to his old sparring partner of whom he'd perhaps grown quite fond.I'm not sure if this is the last we'll see of Mackay. I kind of hope not, but then it's difficult to think of a reason why he'd appear in Fletch's life again unless his new job is as a probation officer in London or something. If this is farewell, Going Home certainly makes a fitting ending for the character, even if we're left to wonder what he'll do next.It was a really nice touch (well, TWO nice touches, really) that we first joined Fletch in his cell having a chat with McLaren. I found myself wondering if the prison cell set was rebuilt just for this one scene. Either way, this kind of continuity helps the series feel like a genuinely well thought out sequel rather than a cash in or knock off.  Throw in that a number of other characters were name-checked during that scene with Mclaren (Lukewarm was in trouble again, just months after his own release) and it really felt that Going Straight is truly connected.In addition to Ingrid, I know of one other Porridge character who'll appear in this series. I'm also excited at the prospect that there might be one or two other returnees. Even if not, though, I'm looking forward to seeing the tone of the series proper once Fletch is ensconced in his new habitat.</blockquote>

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