Dad's Army Season 7 Episode 1 The Deadly Attachment

In the first episode of season seven of Dad's Army, titled "The Deadly Attachment," the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard is tasked with guarding a captured German U-boat crew until they can be transported to a prisoner-of-war camp. The crew, led by Captain Hans Geering (played by John Laurie), is being held in the local church hall, and the Home Guard is responsible for their security.

As soon as the episode begins, tensions are high between the Home Guard and the German prisoners. Captain Mainwaring (played by Arthur Lowe) is determined to maintain strict control over his men and keep a close watch on the prisoners, while Captain Geering is similarly determined to resist any attempts at escape or sabotage by his men. Throughout the episode, the two sides engage in a sort of psychological warfare, with each side trying to outwit the other.

One of the first signs that trouble is brewing comes when Private Walker (played by James Beck) delivers a parcel of food to the prisoners and is momentarily left alone with them. When he returns to the Home Guard HQ, he seems nervous and jumpy, and refuses to explain what happened during his brief encounter with the Germans. This sets off alarm bells for Captain Mainwaring, who becomes increasingly paranoid about the possibility of a German escape attempt.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Wilson (played by John Le Mesurier) is becoming increasingly intrigued by the German captain's helmet, which he has taken a shine to. He repeatedly tries to buy it off Captain Geering, who refuses to part with it. However, when Sergeant Wilson discovers that the helmet actually belongs to Captain Geering's superior officer, Colonel Von Strohm (played by John Louis Mansi), he sees an opportunity to strike a deal.

As the episode progresses, tensions between the Home Guard and the Germans continue to escalate. Private Frazer (played by John Laurie), who initially seems relatively relaxed about the situation, becomes increasingly suspicious of the prisoners' behavior. He spots them using a piece of equipment to make a loud and irritating noise, which he assumes is a signal to their comrades. He alerts the rest of the Home Guard, and they begin to search for the equipment.

Meanwhile, Captain Mainwaring decides to take drastic action to prevent any escape attempts. He orders his men to set up a machine gun emplacement outside the church hall, in full view of the Germans. This sends a clear message that any attempt to escape will be met with deadly force. However, this move also heightens tensions even further, and makes the Germans even more determined to find a way out.

As the episode reaches its climax, the situation becomes increasingly explosive. The Germans manage to subdue Private Frazer and steal his rifle, which they plan to use to escape. However, the Home Guard is able to stop them just in time, and a tense standoff ensues. It's now up to Captain Mainwaring and Captain Geering to negotiate a peaceful resolution, before things spiral completely out of control.

Overall, "The Deadly Attachment" is a thrilling and suspenseful episode that showcases the best of Dad's Army's unique brand of humor and drama. With memorable performances from the entire cast, and taut direction from new director Bob Spiers, this episode is a standout moment in the show's long and beloved run. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Dad's Army or a newcomer to the series, "The Deadly Attachment" is an episode that's not to be missed.