Father Ted (TV Series) Flight into Terror (1996) User Reviews

Brilliant.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 20 December 2020]

Whilst returning home from a pilgrimage, the plane carrying Ted, Dougal and Jack runs into some difficulty.

I love this episode, it feels like a true homage to the many disaster aircraft movies. It has some terrific moments, Father Ted's annoyance at whoever is pinging him, Jack's annoyance with the man sat next to him, but this all comes down to the scene where Dougal is in the cockpit, that look on his face, it's one of the best ever moments.

Always a joy to see Noel and Father Fintan Day, both are on great form, and as bonkers as they ever were.

A great way to end Series 2. 9/10.

Season 2: Continues to be fresh, funny and very well delivered; without a hint of being dated

[bob the moo · 27 March 2015]

Season 2 opens with an episode that contains one of my favorite sequences – as Ted tries to explain to Dougal that the plastic toy cows in his hands are small, whereas the one of equal size that he sees in the fields, are merely far away; I had forgotten this scene was so short and so fleeting as the camera doesn't linger or milk this great laugh at all. This may be a personal high point for the season, but it is all of a high standard because the humor is based around the same sort of nonsense. This is important because all of the episodes are based around an exaggerated and silly situation, so if it is not funny then there is a real risk that it is stupid rather than just silly.

This is not the case here and, as with the first season, the laughs are consistent and mostly inspired. It also helps that they range from the silly through to observational, with good dialogue and physical humor used throughout. The structure also improved with several running or reoccurring jokes – my favorite being ringing the mobile phone at inopportune moments. The performances remain one of the best selling points because the delivery makes the most of the material. Morgan is excellent because, on the face of it, he has the "straight" role – providing a base for the plot and allowing the more excessive characters to get the laughs, but he is great himself. O'Hanlon is, as we know, better here than probably he will ever be again, and his Dougal is very funny. Kelly commits to his delivery, and McLynn has lot of good moments in this season. Supporting cast members are also good – Norton (Tim) and Norton (Graham) standing out the most, but all are funny.

It remains remarkable that it is not only very funny, but is still funny even though it is almost 20 years old – the picture quality may date it, but otherwise the material feels fresh, funny, and very well delivered by all.