Think Fast, Father Ted
Second episode of Father Ted's second series.
"Think Fast, Father Ted" is the second episode of Father Ted's second series on Channel 4. Its title nods to John P. Marquand's novel *Think Fast, Mr. Moto* and the 1937 film adaptation starring Peter Lorre. The writers originally planned to include "Father Ted" in every episode title, mirroring the Mr. Moto series, but abandoned the idea after running out of variations.
The plot begins with a roof leak above Father Jack's head in the parochial house. Ted and Dougal move Jack, only for a new leak to appear above him. To fund repairs, Ted gets Bishop Brennan's permission to raffle a blue 1985 Rover 213 SE. While fetching the car, Dougal spots a small dent on the bonnet. Ted tries to tap it out with a hammer but only destroys the exterior. Realising the Rover was worth £7,000 and fearing the Bishop's wrath, Ted devises a plan: borrow an identical Rover from Father Finnegan, the "dancing priest," rig the raffle so he and Dougal win it, then return the car. Dougal reluctantly agrees, reasoning they're "saving a Bishop's soul."
When Ted borrows Finnegan's car, Finnegan suffers a fatal heart attack. Ted rigs the raffle by filling a hat with tickets all bearing the number 11—Dougal's number. On the night, they sell tickets frantically, with Father Billy O'Dwyer ("The Spinmaster") providing music—only one record, "Ghost Town" by The Specials—and buying 2,000 tickets due to a gambling problem. When Ted announces the organisers have won, the event deflates. Mrs. Doyle later reveals Finnegan died from a heart attack, likely from excessive dancing. Ted and Dougal realise they can keep the car, but Jack, drunk, has driven it to buy more drink. He explains it was hit by two trucks; the rear half is crushed beyond repair. O'Dwyer then steals the raffle money to pay debts. As rain worsens, the household wears anoraks indoors, and a lightning-struck tree crashes through the roof. The episode ends with Father Austin Purcell rambling randomly.
Production notes reveal the episode expanded Father Jack's vocabulary, notably with the "I'm a happy camper" scene. The writers considered a plot where Jack's eloquent brother visits (played by Frank Kelly), titled "Double Trouble," but deemed it too clichéd.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Father Ted
- Series No
- 2
- Airdate
- 1996-03-15
- Director
- Declan Lowney
- Writer
- Graham Linehan / Arthur Mathews
- Photographer
- Chris Owen
- Editor
- Mykola Pawluk / Tim Waddell
- Guests
- James Benson as Father Liam Finnegan / Gerry O'Brien as Father Billy O'Dwyer / Ben Keaton as Father Austin Purcell
- Episode List
- List of Father Ted episodes
- Prev
- Hell
- Next
- Tentacles of Doom
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode's plot centers on a leak in the parochial house roof. Ted and Dougal attempt to raise money by raffling a blue 1985 Rover 213 SE, but Ted accidentally destroys the car's exterior with a hammer. They borrow an identical Rover from Father Finnegan, the "dancing priest," who dies of a heart attack shortly after lending it. Ted rigs the raffle so he and Dougal win, but Father Jack later drives the car and it is crushed by two trucks. Father Billy O'Dwyer, the "Spinmaster," steals the raffle money. The episode ends with a tree crashing through the roof and Father Purcell rambling.
Reader's Guide
The episode is significant for expanding Father Jack's vocabulary, notably with the line "I'm a happy camper." The writers considered an episode where Jack's articulate brother visits but deemed it too clichéd. The non sequitur bird attack scene was inspired by the writers' obsession with the poor special effects of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. The dancing priest was inspired by real priest Neil Horan. Ben Keaton, who auditioned for the dancing priest, instead received the larger role of Father Purcell; his credits scene was almost entirely improvised. The episode's use of "Ghost Town" by The Specials became a noted comedic choice. In 2014, Keaton returned to the role of Father Purcell for stand-up routines and pub quizzes.
Did You Know?
- The episode's title is a reference to the 1937 film Think Fast, Mr. Moto.
- The dancing priest was inspired by real Catholic priest Neil Horan, who danced for peace.
- A young Aidan Gillen auditioned for the dancing priest but ran out of the building in embarrassment.
- The credits scene with Father Purcell talking to himself in the closet was almost entirely improvised by Ben Keaton.
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