Ep 5. The Man from Down Under

The episode titled "The Man from Down Under" is the fifth episode of the third season of the British sitcom "Open All Hours." The show follows the daily activities of Arkwright's grocery store and its owner, Albert Arkwright, played by Ronnie Barker. In this particular episode, Arkwright encounters an Australian man named Bruce, who is looking for a job.

Bruce's arrival immediately captures the attention of Arkwright, who is intrigued by the stranger's distinctive accent and easygoing manner. The store owner soon realizes that Bruce could be the perfect solution to his latest staffing problem. Arkwright is in desperate need of an assistant to help him with the day-to-day operations of the shop. At first, Bruce seems hesitant to take the job, but Arkwright persuades him by offering him accommodation above the store and a generous salary.

As Bruce settles into his new role, Arkwright soon discovers that he has his work cut out for him. The Australian's easygoing nature makes him popular with the locals, who prefer to shop in his section of the store rather than with Arkwright's traditionalist approach. To make matters worse, Bruce's laid-back attitude soon rubs off on Granville, Arkwright's nephew and only other employee. The duo begins to spend more time chatting and slacking off than attending to customers.

With his business in danger, Arkwright realizes that he needs to take drastic action. He decides to set up a competition between Bruce and Granville to see who can sell the most stock in a day. The winner will receive a cash prize, and the loser will be fired. The competition does not go smoothly, with both contestants using underhanded tactics to try and win. Things come to a head when Bruce is caught stealing stock from Arkwright's storeroom.

As tensions rise, Arkwright is forced to take action to save his business. The episode ends with a climactic showdown between Arkwright and Bruce, which leads to a surprising twist in the plot.

Overall, "The Man from Down Under" is a classic episode of "Open All Hours" that showcases the show's trademark mix of gentle humor and heartwarming drama. The episode is notable for introducing a charismatic new character in Bruce and for exploring themes of competition, loyalty, and the importance of hard work. Fans of the show will love this episode, which is a must-see for anyone who appreciates classic British comedy.