Going Straight (1978)
Going Straight is a BBC sitcom which was a direct spin-off from Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, newly released from the fictional Slade Prison where the earlier series had been set. It sees Fletcher trying to become an honest member of society, having vowed to stay away from crime on his release. The title refers to his attempt, 'straight' being a slang term meaning being honest, in contrast to 'bent', i.e., dishonest. Also re-appearing was Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber, who was Fletcher's naïve young cellmate and was now in a relationship with his daughter Ingrid. Her brother Raymond was played by a teenage Nicholas Lyndhurst. Only one series, of six episodes, was made in 1978. It attracted an audience of over 15 million viewers and won a BAFTA award in March 1979, but hopes of a further series had already been dashed by Beckinsale's premature death earlier in the same month.
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Episode 1 - Going Home
Release Date: 1978-02-24Fletch has now reached the end of his stay in Prison and says his goodbyes to McLaren. On the train journey home Fletch bumps into Mackay and an old friend. His old friend makes an early attempt to tempt him from the straight and narrow but it's Mackay who almost commits a crime.
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Episode 2 - Going to be Alright
Release Date: 1978-03-03Fletch visits his probation officer and reveals that his wife, Isobel, has left him for someone called Reg Jessop who owns a cardboard box factory. Fletch doesn't seem too concerned about getting a job and the reason is a legacy from a previous crime which he attempts to dig up by stealing Godber's lorry and driving off to the site where the loot was buried. He is out of luck, however, when he discovers a housing development has been built on the field.
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Episode 3 - Going Sour
Release Date: 1978-03-10Fletch is diverted from his own problems when he comes across a young punk girl and tries to set her on the straight and narrow.
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Episode 4 - Going to Work
Release Date: 1978-03-17Fletch's probation officer sets him up with a job as a night porter. Fletch is nervous about his first ever job and can't face it but Godber and Ingrid make sure he turns up.
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Episode 5 - Going, Going, Gone
Release Date: 1978-03-24As hotel porter, Fletch recognises an unscrupulous guest and suspects a scam.
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Episode 6 - Going off the Rails
Release Date: 1978-04-07Fletch is almost tempted off the straight and narrow on the day Ingrid is to marry Godber. He has a change of heart before it's too late but almost gets into trouble with a walkie talkie. Godber married Ingrid with Fletch giving away the bride and acting as best man.