We’ve all had that moment. You know, the one where you’re scraping the last bit of jam out of the jar, wondering if you can afford the gas bill, and you think: “Right, that’s it. I need a fresh start.” It’s in that exact, desperate headspace that Only Fools and Horses gave us “Miami Twice.” It’s the ultimate “what if” fantasy, but with a three-wheeled van and a lot of cheap gold chains.
Let’s be honest, the idea of the Trotters in Miami is absurd. It’s like putting a goldfish in the ocean and expecting it to run a hotel chain. But that’s why it’s so brilliantly, painfully relatable. We’ve all pitched a half-baked business plan to a mate after three pints, convinced it’s the one. Del Boy’s plan wasn’t much different, he just swapped the Nags Head for a Florida coastline.
The Usual Suspects on Holiday
What makes the two-parter so perfect is how nothing changes, even when the backdrop does. You can take the Trotters out of Peckham, but you can’t take the Peckham out of the Trotters. They land in Miami, and within five minutes, Del is trying to flog a dodgy “investment” to a pensioner, while Rodney is trying to look cool by the pool and failing miserably. It’s the same old song, just with more sunblock and bigger lizards.
Remember when Del spots the old crime boss, Don Vincenzo? He thinks he’s looking at the Mafia, but really, he’s just looking at a bloke who’s had a bit more success selling knock-off handbags. The entire dynamic is a masterclass in “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” It’s a comfort, really. Like finding out your favourite café in Spain still serves the same greasy bacon roll you get back home.
