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review | transcript | screencaps | quiz SPOILER WARNING. If you haven't seen the episode, you'd be best not to read on. We knew they'd left the series, so what better way to pay homage to Matt, Kurt and Brian by - literally - urinating on their graves? That's right, graves. Not long after what's left of Series 3's cast leaves the Plumbers' Arms, we find the girls (minus Clare) and Bob in a cemetery, paying their respects in a most unorthodox way. It seems funny on paper, sure, and I admit I chuckled during the scene, but I think the writers may have stretched the limits of their own irreverence just a little too far. As a send off for the much-loved comic core of the show (and the only surviving original principals), this doesn't seem right somewhat. Disappointed though I am that Brian and Kurt have moved on, I'm not totally surprised. When you think about it, there wasn't really much to them - the best episodes tended to be built around them, not on them. I'm guessing, but I think that it wasn't only the actors who had a say in their future with the show. The producers may have felt that Teachers needed a real injection of freshness. That said, I didn't anticipate THIS much of an injection. (And I guess we'll never realise Matt's full potential...) Anyway, out of the past and into the present. You'd better get used to the fact that Summerdown is no more. We must now grow accustomed to watching the gang hang around the staffroom and corridors of Wattkins Comprehensive. And say hello to the new lads, Ewan, Ben and Damien, who look sane enough at the moment, but the subtext of this episode suggests that their minds may soon be led astray by the two women teachers we know and love. It has taken Tamzin Malleson time to integrate herself into the show, but she and Vicky Hall work very well together, to the point where Penny & Lindsay might actually be capable of carrying the early episodes of this series while the new lads settle in. They may have to, because I can only put up with Bob in small doses. Ah yes � Bob. He's an almost ever-present fixture in this episode, and not for the better. The first main plot strand, his attempt at re-inventing himself with his new image and alleged fianc�e, has great comic potential, but it isn't greatly implemented. It is fine until midway through the episode, when his ranting and shouting becomes a little tiresome, and it's no surprise when Damien, who'd attempted to be friendly with him for a while, joins the evident anti-Bob brigade by episode's end. The other main plot strand revolves around Penny & Lindsay's attempts to get to know the new lads. Trouble is, Ben and Damien just don't want to know, and even as Ewan is making an effort with the girls, the lads continually call for him to hang about with them instead. While Lindsay eventually wins Ben over (and finds some interesting facts about him, thus hinting at promise for future episodes), Damien is a tougher nut to crack. His cynicism threatens to sink to a deeper level than Susan's. (It gets to the point where he believes the girls are "stalking" him, which leads to a hilarious scene near the end of the episode.) As far as the supporting regulars go, well, it's obviously nice to see Liz and Carol again. The scenes where Carol attacks the Chinese man and plays with her baby are pure gems. She always seems to help the show through its quieter spots. But what's the deal with Clare? After watching this episode, I can only conclude that she is in serious danger of becoming a caricature of herself. The joke about the buzzer was more silly than funny (I hope that they get a real buzzer installed in that desk by next week) and when she dances near the end...well, to me that scene ranked of desperation on the part of the writers. I could also point out that the running joke about Ewan's popularity became a little over-exposed, leading to a weak Graduate spoof involving Clare and Ewan. I was kind of hoping that with this series, Teachers would move closer towards the fine mix of comedy and drama that Series 1, and most of Series 2, provided. Instead, it has moved even closer to the level of all-out comedy, and as a result it will become harder for the show to maintain a consistent standard of quality every week. But don't lose hope yet. This episode may be uneven, and there are signs that the writers are running a little low on ideas, but the potential for a good series is definitely there. And for the record, the key elements of the show are still in place (the donkey, the music, the day-of-the-week captions and The Boy With The Arab Strap). I'll give this one 6/10. A good enough opening to the series, certainly, but there's room for improvement. P.S. Is it just me, or does Adam Grint look like a Mini-Me of Bob?
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