The Harder They Fall (Porridge)

"The Harder They Fall" is the title of the first episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher. The episode, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, originally aired on 5 September 1974.

The title is a well-known idiom, suggesting that someone with a high status or position is more vulnerable to a significant downfall. This refers to Fletcher's position within Slade Prison; despite being incarcerated, he quickly establishes himself as a resourceful and influential figure among the other inmates. The episode sees him navigating the prison hierarchy, attempting to avoid trouble with the guards (specifically Mr. Mackay) and manipulating situations to his advantage. Therefore, the title hints that Fletcher's self-assuredness and manipulations might eventually lead to his downfall, even within the confined environment of prison. The episode's plot doesn't necessarily deliver a literal "fall" in the traditional sense, but rather sets the stage for Fletcher's ongoing struggle to maintain his precarious position.