This is the episode which really changes the dynamic in the series.
The first season and episode 1 of season 2 shows the two ladies as almost equal sparring partners.
This episode sees Lucia taking Mallards and a 'broke' Mapp pushed out of the parish to flooding-prone Grebe. 'Broke' is of course relative: it does not indicate poverty for the 'upper classes'. Mapp still maintains a cook and Withers as general dogsbody.
The remainder of the series sees Lucia using her much greater wealth to push herself to a socially supreme position, even if the other Tilligites don't seem to love her much for it.
Lucia is a much brighter, sunny and socially adept character than is Mapp and this, combined with the incidence of her 'honeymoon period' after coming to Tilling has seen most Tillingites welcome her. She is a strong contrast to the more dour and bossy Mapp, though Diva's comments indicate that Lucia heads down the 'bossy' route too once her dominance becomes established.
The episode begins with Quaint Irene bringing Lucia news that she has overheard Major Benjy talking with the Estate Agent with a view to obtaining a long let or even a sale of Mallards.
It's Irene's view that Mapp is broke - a consequence of the rates rise ominously mentioned in the last episode, plus the Siriamai shares disaster. It's not clear whether in holding onto their shares despite Lucia's broker's warning, Mapp and Benjy have lost their investment, or it is just not going to pay dividends for some years.
It's not clear why even with the combined resources of Mapp and Benjy (he sold his house and presumably receives a decent army pension as a Major) plus her £10,000 in the bank (less any Siriami investment) - why Mapp and Benjy can't pay even increased rates. Given, Mallards is the Nevertheless, that's what the plot says.
There ensues a period of tension as Lucia offers Mapp to swap Grebe for Mallards and £2,000. Mapp rejects a deal at first but Benjy persuades her otherwise. Later Lucia increases the offer to 2,000 Guineas (£2100) even though Mapp as accepted £2,000! It's presumed they deal at £2,050 (a very large sum of money in 1930 - you could buy a terraced house in London for £395).
Lucia takes up residence and soon settles down to brightening up the somewhat dour and dowdy residence.
There's an alert when Georgie detects gas and the local gas fitter and surveyor, who are brothers, determine the problem. We even get to see Georgie in a gasmask, though it's very hard to imagine him having been in the war!
The process alerts Lucia to the possibility that there may be historical artefacts buried in her garden.
She sets to work diligently, digging up and cleaning bits of glass and pottery and - unwisely- giving out regular bulletins on her discoveries.
News soon reaches the local paper and Mapp notifies the British Museum, who are sending out an authority to look at the dig!
Sadly for Lucia, at this point she discovers that far from digging up a Roman temple in her back garden, all she has is modern debris- a broken bottle of modern mineral water, Appollonis Sp.
This is about the only time we see Lucia apparently stumped on what to do and lose her nerve.
Fortunately, Georgie steps up to the mark and breathes new life into her, urging Lucia to give a celebration party and simply brazen it out.
Face saved, Lucia is ready to forge on....
The first season and episode 1 of season 2 shows the two ladies as almost equal sparring partners.
This episode sees Lucia taking Mallards and a 'broke' Mapp pushed out of the parish to flooding-prone Grebe. 'Broke' is of course relative: it does not indicate poverty for the 'upper classes'. Mapp still maintains a cook and Withers as general dogsbody.
The remainder of the series sees Lucia using her much greater wealth to push herself to a socially supreme position, even if the other Tilligites don't seem to love her much for it.
Lucia is a much brighter, sunny and socially adept character than is Mapp and this, combined with the incidence of her 'honeymoon period' after coming to Tilling has seen most Tillingites welcome her. She is a strong contrast to the more dour and bossy Mapp, though Diva's comments indicate that Lucia heads down the 'bossy' route too once her dominance becomes established.
The episode begins with Quaint Irene bringing Lucia news that she has overheard Major Benjy talking with the Estate Agent with a view to obtaining a long let or even a sale of Mallards.
It's Irene's view that Mapp is broke - a consequence of the rates rise ominously mentioned in the last episode, plus the Siriamai shares disaster. It's not clear whether in holding onto their shares despite Lucia's broker's warning, Mapp and Benjy have lost their investment, or it is just not going to pay dividends for some years.
It's not clear why even with the combined resources of Mapp and Benjy (he sold his house and presumably receives a decent army pension as a Major) plus her £10,000 in the bank (less any Siriami investment) - why Mapp and Benjy can't pay even increased rates. Given, Mallards is the Nevertheless, that's what the plot says.
There ensues a period of tension as Lucia offers Mapp to swap Grebe for Mallards and £2,000. Mapp rejects a deal at first but Benjy persuades her otherwise. Later Lucia increases the offer to 2,000 Guineas (£2100) even though Mapp as accepted £2,000! It's presumed they deal at £2,050 (a very large sum of money in 1930 - you could buy a terraced house in London for £395).
Lucia takes up residence and soon settles down to brightening up the somewhat dour and dowdy residence.
There's an alert when Georgie detects gas and the local gas fitter and surveyor, who are brothers, determine the problem. We even get to see Georgie in a gasmask, though it's very hard to imagine him having been in the war!
The process alerts Lucia to the possibility that there may be historical artefacts buried in her garden.
She sets to work diligently, digging up and cleaning bits of glass and pottery and - unwisely- giving out regular bulletins on her discoveries.
News soon reaches the local paper and Mapp notifies the British Museum, who are sending out an authority to look at the dig!
Sadly for Lucia, at this point she discovers that far from digging up a Roman temple in her back garden, all she has is modern debris- a broken bottle of modern mineral water, Appollonis Sp.
This is about the only time we see Lucia apparently stumped on what to do and lose her nerve.
Fortunately, Georgie steps up to the mark and breathes new life into her, urging Lucia to give a celebration party and simply brazen it out.
Face saved, Lucia is ready to forge on....