the episode where his mother told him she hated him was truly shocking and quite upsetting, she said she only ever wanted to be married and didn't want him at all. so farmed him out to boarding school then onto the Aunt,
the acting was first class,
I didn't see it when it was first broadcast, it is really very funny and the acting is first class. I feel I have known some of the characters, Al (Joe Absolom) could have been modelled on an ex neighbour of mine, mannerisms and all. I particularly liked the badger burning episode.
I've always loved it, and am enjoying watching the old series on one of the freeview channels. I think some storylines are a bit of an eye-opener too - one I particularly remember is when an old lady was thought to be senile, but she was actually dehydrated because she wouldn't drink enough water, for fear of having to pee in the night....Another helped me solve an Agatha Christie or some such, when I knew about the wallpaper changing colour!