It's a while since I've watched the whole series through ..... do the episodes get any better? I've given a 9/10 here to give myself room, just in case they do.
You could probably get by without watching the pilot, Prisoner and Escort, as good as it is, but so much happens in this episode that it is pretty much essential viewing to get the gist of what is going on.
We meet Lennie Godber for the first time, played marvellously by Kate Beckinsale's father. We are also introduced to Heslop, whose interjections are golden gems of scriptwriting genius and immaculate timing. The other important character we see for the first time is the governor. "You've got to get to know your governor", Fletcher advises.
Best joke - a telling visual gag with a dinner tray that expands upon the interplay in the pilot between Fletcher, the prisoner, and Barraclough, the warden. Also worthy of mention is the brilliant early scene in which Mackay spells out the daily routine to the new inmates. The rapid-fire cross talk between Fletcher and Mackay, after the warden asks if there are any questions, is a great example of this old-time skill of English comedy.
We can already see why this show is just so, SO good!