Are You Being Served? season 8 episode 7 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

In this episode, the staff of a department store celebrate winning ballet tickets, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and personal revelations. Mrs. Slocombe, struggling with loneliness and an unrequited fascination with Mr. Humphreys, becomes the focus of the staff's well-meaning but misguided interventions. Her behavior, fueled by dreams and drinking, prompts the staff to secretly place a personal ad to find her companionship, resulting in humorous situations. The episode culminates at a ballet, where Mr. Humphreys is reluctantly tasked with breaking Mrs. Slocombe's delusion by acting as the man of her dreams, leading to more comedic but unresolved tensions.

Full Episode S08E07 Recap

### Opening Scene: The Department Store - The episode opens with a musical introduction, showcasing various departments of the store. - A customer returns an item, and the staff ensures her satisfaction with a humorous exchange. ### The Lucky Lottery Win - Mr. Harmon informs Captain Peacock about winning the first prize in the store's lottery: a box at Covent Garden for the ballet. - The staff, delighted by the news, distribute the tickets, leading to humorous exchanges about past experiences and misunderstandings about the event. ### Early Morning at the Store - Mrs. Slocombe deals with a customer complaint in a fittingly sarcastic manner, leading to laughs about the non-shrinkable label. - The scene shifts to personal conversations among the staff, revealing their quirky habits and setting up personal dynamics, including Mrs. Slocombe's drinking habits and her dreams about Mr. Humphreys. ### Mrs. Slocombe's Fascination with Mr. Humphreys - The staff notice Mrs. Slocombe's unusual behavior towards Mr. Humphreys, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and fantasies. - Mrs. Slocombe's attempts to connect with Mr. Humphreys escalate, culminating in a humorous gift exchange. ### The Staff's Concern for Mrs. Slocombe - Concerned about Mrs. Slocombe's behavior, the staff discuss her actions and decide to help her find companionship, leading to a humorous advertisement. - Mrs. Slocombe's transformation and the staff's reactions to her new look provide comedic moments. ### The Ballet Night - The staff attend the ballet, with Mr. Humphreys seated next to Mrs. Slocombe as part of a plan to address her affections. - Mrs. Slocombe's reactions to the ballet and Mr. Humphreys' reluctant participation in the plan lead to comedic situations. ### Conclusion: Mrs. Slocombe's Situation - The episode concludes with the staff reflecting on Mrs. Slocombe's behavior, her drinking problem, and their failed attempts to help her find love, showcasing the humorous yet caring relationships among the characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prize does the department win in the lucky lottery?

A box at Covent Garden for six people to watch the ballet.

How does Mrs. Slocombe handle a customer's complaint about a shrunken cardigan?

With sarcasm, showing the customer that the label hasn't shrunk, implying the cardigan hasn't either.

What is Mrs. Slocombe's solution to taking a slimming pill without water?

She considers taking it with gin and lemon instead, as she can't stand the taste of plain tonic.

Why is Mrs. Slocombe's behavior towards Mr. Humphreys unusual?

She has been having dreams about him and starts seeing him in a new light, leading to flirtatious behavior.

How do the staff plan to help Mrs. Slocombe with her loneliness?

By placing a personal ad for her in a contact magazine, without her knowledge, to find her a male companion.

What is the reaction of the staff to Mrs. Slocombe's new wig?

They make jokes about it, comparing her to the Bride of Frankenstein and suggesting it makes her look younger.

What does Mr. Humphreys have to do at the ballet to help Mrs. Slocombe?

Act like the man of her dreams and physically engage with her to break her delusion.

How does the episode address Mrs. Slocombe's drinking problem?

Through humor and concern from the staff, leading to an intervention where she's asked to breathe into a bag for a sobriety test.

What is the significance of the ballet event in the episode?

It serves as a setting for the staff's plan to cure Mrs. Slocombe of her delusions about Mr. Humphreys by making her fantasy a reality.

Does Mrs. Slocombe's plan to find a male companion succeed?

No, the attempts to introduce her to potential companions result in comedic failures and misunderstandings.

Are You Being Served? season 8 episode 7

The Erotic Dreams of Mrs. Slocombe