Ep 1. The Man and the Hour

In the first episode of Dad's Army, entitled "The Man and the Hour," we are introduced to the town of Walmington-on-Sea during the early days of World War II. The episode begins with a scene of chaos, as the town's air raid siren suddenly goes off and everyone rushes to take cover. We soon learn, however, that the siren was triggered accidentally by the local church clock, which has been faulty for years.

Despite the false alarm, the townspeople are shaken by the possibility of an upcoming war, and they begin to take precautions, such as painting their windows black and forming local defense forces. This is where we are introduced to the main characters of the show, the members of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard.

The Home Guard is made up of a group of older men who are unable to join the regular army due to physical or age restrictions. Their leader is Captain George Mainwaring, a pompous and overconfident bank manager who takes the role of defending his town very seriously.

The episode revolves around two main plotlines. The first involves Mainwaring's preparations for a potential German invasion. He enlists the help of his second in command, Sergeant Arthur Wilson, to create an elaborate plan for defending the town, complete with strategically placed barbed wire and machine gun nests.

The second plotline involves the town's efforts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the clock tower, which is set to occur the same week as the Home Guard's first drill. Despite Mainwaring's protests that the parade will interfere with their defense preparations, the townspeople insist on going forward with the celebration.

As the episode progresses, tensions between Mainwaring and Wilson become more apparent, with Wilson often acting as a voice of reason to Mainwaring's more extreme tactics. The rest of the Home Guard members are introduced, each with their own unique personalities and quirks.

As the drill approaches, the Home Guard struggles to coordinate their efforts, with some members more concerned with looking the part than with actually defending the town. The episode's climax features a hilarious mix-up involving a group of German airmen and a group of the Home Guard dressed in enemy uniforms.

Overall, "The Man and the Hour" serves as a perfect introduction to the world of Dad's Army, with its witty writing and lovable characters. The episode does a great job of setting up the show's premise while still providing plenty of laughs and entertaining moments. It's easy to see why Dad's Army became such a beloved British sitcom, with its timeless humor and memorable cast of characters. If you're in the mood for a classic comedy that's sure to brighten your day, be sure to check out the first episode of Dad's Army.