Only Fools and Horses fans point out glaring plot holes in their favourite episodes
Have you noticed any of these inaccuracies in the show?
Only Fools and Horses has garnered a cult following since airing on the BBC back in 1981, with fans re-watching classic episodes to this day. Starring David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, the TV show ran for 64 episodes – and viewers still love to debate their favourite bits from the sitcom.
Some fans even spend their time sharing theories and ideas on social media site Reddit. In one thread posted by theped26 entitled ‘Plot holes in OFAH,’ users shared their most frustrating moments in the show.
Considering Only Fools and Horses aired from 1981 to 2003, it’s no surprise that along the way there may have been a few inconsistencies. In the thread, Reddit user ConnorK12 said that the ages of the characters were the most obvious plot hole. They wrote: “Rodney’s date of birth, Del’s age and the time their Mum died change all over the place through the series.”
Another fan agreed, commenting: “Rodney’s age. He says he’s 22 in ‘Big Brother’ but 26 or so in ‘The Unlucky Winner Is..’ So only four years have passed since the events of the first episode?”
Others were even more specific when listing the plot holes in the series.
One viewer referenced an episode called ‘Time on Our Hands’ in which the Trotters family become millionaires. Del picks out an old pocket watch and tosses it aside. Later, an antique dealer spots the watch and suggests it could be the work of John Harrison, who designed and built the world’s first successful maritime clock in the 18th century.
The “lesser watch,” a semi-mythical piece, goes up for auction and sells for £6,200,000 making the family rich. One viewer, however, took issue with the watch being in the garage in the first place.
They said: “Awesome as ‘Time on Our Hands’ is, there is essentially a plot-hole in “The Lesser Watch” being present, as the garage had been either cleared or raided/stolen a few times throughout the series…”
The original poster found another glaring plot hole in one episode: “In Chain Gang when Del, Boycie, Mike, Trigger & Uncle Albert rush off with Arnie to meet Mr Stavos, Rodney stays behind coz he wants Casandra to call but in the next scene he’s sitting in the van with Uncle Albert. My question is, how did he get there?”
Finally, lewist400, shared their thoughts, describing how some characters should have recognised an area sooner. They said: “One thing that bugs me is in video nasty when they watch ‘night nurse.’ Surely Del Boy, Albert, Trigger and Boycie all recognise the flat it’s filmed in. Even Boycie said “where do they find these places to film in” but Del Boy only notices when Rodney leaves the kitchen.”
The sitcom is still well-loved by many, despite these inaccuracies, and in a show that spanned 64 episodes, it’s understandable that a few details would go under the radar – the most dedicated fans are sure to notice though!
Had you noticed any of these plot holes? Let us know any other consistencies you’ve spotted in the comments.
