"Number Engaged" is the fifth episode of the ninth and final series of the British televisionsitcomDad's Army. It was originally broadcast on 6 November 1977 on BBC1 and was the penultimate episode of the series.[1]
Synopsis
The platoon is tasked with guarding the new telephone wires that have been set up along the coast. During the night, an air raid occurs, and upon waking, the platoon discover an unexploded bomb caught in the wires.
Plot
The platoon has been assigned to guard a two-mile stretch of telephone wires that are vital for the war effort. Arriving at the site in Jones's van, Mainwaring orders Frazer to prepare the next morning's breakfast. However, Frazer explains that he cannot cook the porridge since he must catch the trout for dinner, so Mainwaring appoints Pike to prepare the porridge. Before departing, Frazer gives Pike the recipe of 'one jug of water to one mug of porridge' for every man present.
During the night an air raid occurs, and the next morning, while eating breakfast, Pike asks Mainwaring what he should do with the leftover porridge he has prepared. Pike mixed up Frazer's measurements, and upon discovering the leftovers, which are enough to feed 'a hundred men', Mainwaring calls Pike a 'stupid boy'.
Soon, the Vicar arrives to perform the morning Holy Communionopen-air service. As the platoon raise their heads in prayer, they notice the unexploded bomb in the telephone wires. Following several attempts to dislodge the bomb, Wilson suggests that they use the crane at the construction site up the road. Jones is raised onto the wires, but being unable to reach, he climbs onto the pole and attempts to lift the bomb and remove it. However, he loses his grip and the bomb falls... landing safely in Pike's pot of porridge. Mainwaring, relieved, apologises to Pike for calling him a stupid boy. However, Jones discovers that he cannot get down from the wires, and he soon suffers a non-fatal electric shock.