History Recap / OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E09MotherNaturesSon

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: As Rodney points out, Del's industrial-scale bottling of tap water to sell as Peckham Spring has got the water board frantically trying to work out why water levels in the area are dropping.
-->'''Rodney''': There are geological concerns coming into play here. We are taking in thousands and thousands of gallons of water every day; the water board have got workmen on the estate, they think they've got a major underground leak! I mean, here we are in the middle of winter and the local papers are issuing drought warnings! So people are going out and panic-buying Peckham bloody Spring! [[ViciousCycle So that means we have to take up more water to stay on top of the demand!]]

* CallBack: A few.
** We see early in the episode that Del still hasn't managed to get rid of the men's wigs he bought in [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E06ThreeMenAWomanAndABaby "Three Men, a Woman, and a Baby"]], or the Romanian wine he bought in [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E07MiamiTwicePartOneTheAmericanDream "Miami Twice"]].

** Grandad's allotment, mentioned all the way back in [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS1E06TheRussiansAreComing "The Russians Are Coming"]] as a possible location to site their fallout shelter, is finally seen.
* ExplainExplainOhCrap: While explaining the LongList of problems to do with Peckham Spring causing him stress, and Cassandra massaging his shoulders trying to calm him down, Rodney concludes that "some prat" has advised Del to advertise Peckham Spring on local radio. Cassandra stops massaging and Rodney realises ''she'' told Del to.

The mineral water episode, and the 1992 Christmas Special. First broadcast 25 December 1992.

Del accompanies Rodney to an organic health food shop owned by a wealthy gardening enthusiast named Myles. When he sees the high price of the store's produce, Del develops an interest in gardening and invites Myles to the allotment to advise him on growing vegetables. At the allotment, Myles notices a mysterious water source -- which Del calls the "Peckham Spring" -- and suggests that if the water is pure, it could be bottled and sold. However, unsighted by Myles, Rodney notices that the "spring water" is actually coming from a nearby tap connected to a hose and concealed by rocks. Del instructs Albert to take a sample of the water for laboratory testing but, being part of the scam, Albert uses bottled mineral water instead. The water receives a certificate of purity from Myles' committee, giving Del permission to sell it.

* AllThereInTheManual: The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would not be revealed until the publication of Del's 2015 "autobiography", ''He Who Dares'' [[note]] actually written by Jim Sullivan, son of series creator John Sullivan who died in 2011[[/note]]. Health inspectors found out that the Peckham Spring water was contaminated. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra, who'd helped Del get a loan from the bank, was suspended from her job. Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told Del that he was facing the very real prospect of going to prison. Determined to fight for his innocence, Del told Solly to prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, all charges were dropped following the destruction of Grandad's allotment and the "spring" by "a small earthquake". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E010FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

-->'''Rodney''': You? ''Why''?!

-->'''Rodney''': You are not dealing with a normal person, this is ''[[WalkingDisasterArea Derek Trotter]]''! Don't you understand, he is sucking the land ''dry''! I'm expecting a visit from [[UsefulNotes/LiveAid Lenny Henry and Bob Geldof]] any minute!

* RightForTheWrongReasons: The Peckham Spring labels include a claim that the water comes from an "Ancient and Natural source". When Rodney queries this, Del replies that the source is the Thames -- meaning that technically, the statement is correct.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: As Rodney points out, Del's extensive consumption of tap water to sell as Peckham Spring has got the water board frantically trying to work out why water levels in the area are dropping.

* AllThereInTheManual: The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would not be revealed until the publication of Del's 2015 "autobiography", ''He Who Dares'' [[note]] actually written by Jim Sullivan, son of series creator John Sullivan who died in 2011[[/note]]. Health inspectors found out that the Peckham Spring water was contaminated. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra, who'd helped Del get a loan from the bank, was suspended from her job. Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told Del that he was facing the very real prospect of going to prison. Determined to fight got his innocence, Del got Solly to prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, all charges were dropped following the destruction of Grandad's allotment and the "spring" by "a small earthquake". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E010FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

* AllThereInTheManual: The episode has something of an AmbiguousEnding -- as the credits roll, Del is still unaware of the chaos he's caused, and it's not mentioned at all in the next episode. The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would eventually be revealed in Del's 2015 "autobiography", ''He Who Dares''. Health inspectors found out that the Peckham Spring water was contaminated. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra, who'd helped Del get a loan from the bank, was suspended from her job. Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told Del that he was facing the very real prospect of going to prison. Determined to fight got his innocence, Del got Solly to prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, all charges were dropped following the destruction of Grandad's allotment and the "spring" by "a small earthquake". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E010FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

* AllThereInTheManual: The episode has something of an AmbiguousEnding -- as the credits roll, Del is still unaware of the chaos he's caused. The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would eventually be revealed in Del's 2015 "autobiography". Health inspectors found out that the Peckham Spring water was contaminated. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra, who'd helped Del get a loan from the bank, was suspended from her job. Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told Del that he was facing the very real prospect of going to prison. Determined to fight got his innocence, Del got Solly to prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, all charges were dropped following the destruction of Grandad's allotment and the "spring" by "a small earthquake". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E010FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

* AllThereInTheManual: The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would be revealed in Del's autobiography when health inspectors found out that Del was selling contaminated water to the public. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra was suspended at her bank, while Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (from "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne Hole in One]]") told Del that he could go to jail because of this. Del was still determined to fight for his family's innocence, so Solly prepared a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet" for him. Del would then visit his late mother Joan's grave and a week later, the case against Del was miraculously dropped due to a lack of evidence. In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, Del was left broke due to paying Solly and both Grandad's allotment and the Peckham Spring were destroyed in a small earthquake. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E010FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

Del accompanies Rodney to an organic health food shop owned by a wealthy gardening enthusiast named Myles. When he sees the high price of the store's produce, Del develops an interest in gardening and invites Myles to the allotment to advise him on growing vegetables. At the allotment, Myles notices a mysterious water source - which Del calls the "Peckham Spring" -- and suggests that if the water is pure, it could be bottled and sold. However, unsighted by Myles, Rodney notices that the "spring water" is actually coming from a nearby tap connected to a hose and concealed by rocks. Del instructs Albert to take a sample of the water for laboratory testing but, being part of the scam, Albert uses bottled mineral water instead. The water receives a certificate of purity from Myles' committee, giving Del permission to sell it.

In the final scene, as the Trotter Family go to sleep in their hotel rooms, the TV news reports that Peckham is without water after a local reservoir has been contaminated by the barrels that were dumped by Del, Denzil, and Trigger. As a blissfully unaware Del switches off the light, a bottle of Peckham Spring on his bedside table glows yellow.

With Christmas coming, Del's application to buy the Trotter family's council flat has finally been granted, but although he now owns the flat, he's got a hefty mortgage to worry about. He also receives a summons from the council regarding Grandad's old allotment, which has a public health hazard which must be removed. It turns out to be barrels containing an unknown yellow substance that someone's dumped there. Del enlists Trigger and Denzil to help him get rid of it by transporting it in Denzil's van to the "24-hour" council waste disposal depot. When this is found to be closed, the ultimately dump it in what they think is a pond.

* AllThereInTheManual: The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would be revealed in Del's autobiography when health inspectors found out that Del was selling contaminated water to the public. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra was suspended at her bank, while Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (from "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne Hole in One]]") told Del that he could go to jail because of this. Del was still determined to fight for his family's innocence, so Solly prepared a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet" for him. Del would then visit his late mother Joan's grave and a week later, the case against Del was miraculously dropped due to a lack of evidence. In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, Del was left broke due to paying Solly and both Grandad's allotment and the Peckham Spring were destroyed in a small earthquake. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E10FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

* AllThereInTheManual: The outcome of the Peckham Spring Water venture would be revealed in Del's autobiography when health inspectors found out that Del was selling contaminated water to the public. Due to drinking it, Raquel went bald, and Rodney got sick. Cassandra was suspended at her bank, while Myles went into hiding. Solly Atwell (from "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS04E03HoleInOne Hole in One]]") told Del that he could go to jail because of this. Del was still determined to fight for his family's innocence, so Solly prepared a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet" for him. Del would then visit his late mother Joan's grave and a week later, the case against Del was miraculously dropped due to a lack of evidence. In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovery, Myles came out of hiding, Del was left broke due to paying Solly and both Grandad's allotment and the Peckham Spring were destroyed in a small earthquake. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "[[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS7E10FatalExtraction Fatal Extraction]]".

* AmbiguousEnding: The episode ends with a bottle of Peckham Spring water glowing yellow after the TV news has reported the reservoir contamination. The next episode, "Fatal Extraction", makes no mention of what the (presumably far-reaching) consequences of Del's scam were [[note]] Some of these were detailed in [[AllThereInTheManual Del's 2015 "autobiography"]], ''He Who Dares''. As a result of drinking the water, Rodney got sick and Raquel's hair fell out. Cassandra was suspended from the bank, while Myles went into hiding. After Del was found to be behind the whole thing, Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told him that he could go to jail because of this. Determined to prove his innocence, Del had Solly prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, the charges against Del were dropped due to lack of evidence after "a small earthquake" destroyed Grandad's allotment and the "spring". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney recovered, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "Fatal Extraction"[[/note]].
* Main/ArtisticLicensePolitics: Despite what you may think from the TV news report, there is no "London Borough of Peckham". Peckham is in fact located within the London Borough of Southwark.

* ShoutOut: The episode shares its title with a song on ''Music/TheWhiteAlbum''. Also, Rodney reads a Literature/MrMen book to Damien, and refers to the flat, strewn as it is with baby things, as "[[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet a nightmare on]] Series/SesameStreet".

* ShoutOut: The episode shares its title with a song on ''Music/TheWhiteAlbum''. Also, Rodney reads a Literature/MrMen book to Damien.

* ShoutOut: The episode shares its title with a song on ''Music/TheWhiteAlbum''.

* AmbiguousEnding: The episode ends with a bottle of Peckham Spring water glowing yellow after the TV news has reported the reservoir contamination. The next episode, "Fatal Extraction", makes no mention of what the (presumably far-reaching) consequences of Del's scam were [[note]] Some of these were detailed in [[AllThereInTheManual Del's 2015 "autobiography"]], ''He Who Dares''. As a result of drinking the water, Rodney got sick and Raquel's hair fell out. Cassandra was suspended from the bank, while Myles went into hiding. After Del was found to be behind the whole thing, Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told him that he could go to jail because of this. Determined to prove his innocence, Del had Solly prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, the charges against Del were dropped due to lack of evidence after "a small earthquake" destroyed Grandad's allotment and the "spring". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovered, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "Fatal Extraction"[[/note]].

* AmbiguousEnding: The episode ends with a bottle of Peckham Spring water glowing yellow after the TV news has reported the reservoir contamination. The next episode, "Fatal Extraction", makes no mention of what the (presumably far-reaching) consequences of Del's scam were [[note]] Some of these were detailed in Del's 2015 "autobiography", ''He Who Dares''. As a result of drinking the water, Rodney got sick and Raquel's hair fell out. Cassandra was suspended from the bank, while Myles went into hiding. After Del was found to be behind the whole thing, Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told him that he could go to jail because of this. Determined to prove his innocence, Del had Solly prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, the charges against Del were dropped due to lack of evidence after "a small earthquake" destroyed Grandad's allotment and the "spring". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovered, Myles came out of hiding, and Del was left broke due to paying Solly. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "Fatal Extraction"[[/note]].

* AmbiguousEnding: The episode ends with a bottle of Peckham Spring water glowing yellow after the TV news has reported the reservoir contamination. The next episode, "Fatal Extraction", makes no mention of what the (presumably far-reaching) consequences of Del's scam were [[note]] Some of these were detailed in Del's 2015 "autobiography", ''He Who Dares''. As a result of drinking the water, Rodney got sick and Raquel's hair fell out. Cassandra was suspended from the bank, while Myles went into hiding. After Del was found to be behind the whole thing, Solly Atwell (the lawyer from [[Recap/OnlyFoolsAndHorsesS4E03HoleInOne "Hole in One"]]) told Del that he could go to jail because of this. Determined to prove his innocence, he had Solly prepare a case "more airtight than Boycie's wallet". A week later, the charges against Del were dropped due to lack of evidence after "a small earthquake" destroyed Grandad's allotment and the "spring". In the aftermath, Raquel's hair grew back, Cassandra's suspension was lifted, Rodney made a recovered, Myles came out of hiding, Del was left broke due to paying Solly, and both Grandad's allotment and the Peckham Spring were destroyed in a small earthquake. Del and Raquel's relationship was also damaged in the process, setting the scene for "Only Fools and Horses: Fatal Extraction (1993)"..

* AmbiguousEnding: The episode ends with a bottle of Peckham Spring water glowing yellow after the TV news has reported the reservoir contamination. The next episode, "Fatal Extraction", makes no mention of what the (presumably far-reaching) consequences of Del's scam were.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Cassandra, who helped Del get a loan to buy the bottling equipment, has this reaction on learning the truth of his scam.

** We see early in the episode that Del still hasn't managed to get rid of the men's wigs he bought in "Three Men, a Woman, and a Baby", or the Romanian wine he bought in "Miami Twice".
** The application that Del made to buy the flat in "Yuppy Love" finally goes through at the worst possible time, leaving Del urgently needing to make some serious money to pay the mortgage, which is more than the rent was.
** Grandad's allotment, mentioned all the way back in "The Russians Are Coming" as a possible location to site their fallout shelter, is finally seen.

--?'''Del''': Oh, well that must be very appetizing then. Knowing that everything on your plate was once underneath a big pile of horse shit!