The Desperate Hours (Porridge) The Desperate Hours (Porridge) "The Desperate Hours" is the second Christmas special of the BBC sitcom "Porridge". It first aired on 24 December 1976. In this episode, Fletcher and Godber are in trouble for brewing liquor in the lead-up to Christmas, but are caught up in a hostage situation in the Governor's office. It is nearly time for Christmas, and Fletcher has been making wine for the prisoners of Slade Prison. The Governor, who is strictly teetotal, has a zero tolerance on illicit drinking in Slade Prison. After Mr Barrowclough fails to discover alcohol in Fletcher and Godber's cell, Fletcher
Ways and Means (Porridge) wintergreen. Ways and Means (Porridge) "Ways and Means" is an episode of the BBC sitcom "Porridge". It first aired on 3 October 1974. In this episode, Fletcher intends to help new prisoner McLaren, a wild Scotsman. The episode opens with Fletcher and several other inmates sewing fishing nets. Fletcher complains to Barrowclough, who is supervising them, but Barrowclough scolds Fletcher by saying it's his own fault that he lost his trusted position at the farm. Barrowclough also expresses shock at new prisoner McLaren's prison infraction of assaulting a prison officer by dunking his head in a pot of soup. McLaren