Ep 7. Put That Light Out!

In the fifth season of Dad's Army, episode 7 titled "Put That Light Out!", the audience is taken back to Walmington-on-Sea, where Captain Mainwaring and his platoon continue to serve their country during World War II. The episode opens with a German plane flying over the town, prompting the town's air raid sirens to sound off, calling on the townsfolk to take cover in their local air raid shelters. The audience is reintroduced to the familiar dynamic of the platoon, where Captain Mainwaring is often at loggerheads with Sergeant Wilson, Private Frazer, Lance Corporal Jones, Private Walker, and others in the platoon.

In this episode, Captain Mainwaring has set up a dummy gun site at the local golf course to deceive the German planes who are known to fly over their town often. However, Private Frazer disrupts the platoon's plans by inadvertently lighting a cigarette at the wrong time, causing the German planes to notice the light and begin to bomb the golf course.

The platoon retreats to their air raid shelter, but when Lance Corporal Jones realizes that their beloved church bell is still ringing, he decides to venture outside to silence it. With civilian life disrupted by the war, the church bell ringing against an air raid background symbolizes a sort of tragicomic irony.

Throughout the episode, the platoon's dynamic is highlighted as each member tries to assert their own authority or point of view. While Captain Mainwaring demands that they act professionally and fend off the Germans, Private Walker who specializes in black market trade sees an opportunity to make some money from the war-time situation. Meanwhile, Sergeant Wilson plays the calming influence, attempting to diffuse Captain Mainwaring's overly ambitious plan while attempting to maintain peace in the platoon.

The episode's humor is complemented by the way in which the show examines themes of private vs. public life and the sacrifices that individuals make in the name of national service. The platoon's hilarious attempts to 'put that light out' highlights the extent to which their private lives are disrupted by the war, while their commitment to protecting their town and country supersedes their personal interests.

Overall, Dad's Army season 5 episode 7 titled "Put That Light Out!" serves as a great example of the show's ability to balance humor with important themes relevant to the human experience, making it a fan favorite for generations.