Only Fools and Horses

The Trotters attend Grandad’s funeral and, during the service, they are introduced to a long‑lost seafaring uncle who had been absent for years. Despite the solemn occasion, the uncle remains for an extended period, clearly overstaying his welcome and causing awkwardness.

Strained Relations is a programme presented as a single episode. It is categorised simply as an episode within the broader series that bears the same title, delivering a compact narrative in its brief runtime. In this instalment the Trotters come together for Grandad’s funeral. The solemn occasion brings the family together, and during the proceedings they encounter a previously unknown relative – a seafaring uncle who has been absent from their lives for many years. The service itself proceeds as planned, providing the setting for the unexpected family encounter. His sudden appearance adds an unexpected element to the funeral setting. The uncle, described as a long‑lost sailor, quickly makes his presence felt. Rather than departing after the ceremony, he lingers, remaining with the family longer than anyone anticipated. His nautical past is hinted at through casual remarks about life at sea, underscoring his identity as a seafaring relative. His continued stay gradually shifts the focus from the funeral itself to the discomfort caused by his overstaying. The episode therefore centres on two intertwined moments: the Trotters’ participation in Grandad’s funeral and the awkward dynamic introduced by the uncle’s prolonged visit. By the end, the family’s gathering is marked as much by the funeral rites as by the uncle’s inability to leave when expected.