Norman Stanley Fletcher
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Norman Stanley Fletcher or 'Fletch' (born February 2, 1932) is the main character in the popular BBC sitcom Porridge. Fletch was played by Ronnie Barker and is widely renowned as one of the great comic creations.
Fletch claims that the criminal life to him, is something of a career and has been in and out of prison all of his life. He is married with three children - Ingrid, Raymond and Marion.
Fletcher was sentenced to serve the particular stretch of 'Porridge' upon which the series is set after a failed attempt to steal an articulated lorry. It was only after climbing into the driving seat and starting the lorry that Fletch realises he has no idea how to operate the vehicle. The subsequent crash and arrest led to a sentence of 5 years imprisonment in Slade prison.
Fletch lives out his various prison sentences on 'little victories', mainly against the wardens, and especially Mr Mackay. The rivalry between Fletch and Mackay was a thing of comedy legend. Fletch's sly tactics in misdeeds ranging from fixing boxing matches, stealing pills from the prison doctor and eggs from the prison farmyard right through to finding new and imaginative ways to stick two fingers up at Mackay and get away with it, were specially designed to get up Mackay's nose. In return, Mackay's frenzied, neurotic attempts to catch Fletch out, when fruitful, gave Mackay a level of smugness and satisfaction which was only accentuated by Fletch's hostility and skulking.
Fletch is also surprised when this spell in prison finds him taking on the role of the father figure. It is left to him to help Warren when he needs a letter read or written, and to overlook new, younger inmates such as McClaren and Godber.
Godber in particular became a close associate of Fletch's, becoming involved in his various schemes. Doe eyed, optimistic Godber was the perfect sidekick for grouchy, world weary Fletcher, and the banter between the two became one of the main attractions of the series. This was best illustrated in the famous and ambitious episode 'A Night In', where the entire episode is set within the cell, in relative darkness, with only Godber and Fletch's conversation for entertainment. This genre has been imitated by many other sitcoms, such as Friends ('The One Where No One's Ready') and Bottom ('S Up). However, few, if any of these have managed to recreate the minimalistic genius of the original, falling back on other comedy devices (the Friends episode had several characters, each with their own storyline, the Bottom episode was set atop a Ferris Wheel, and much of the comedy deriving from this setting).
Fletch is also manipulative, and can play upon the sympathies and weaknesses of people like Mr Barrowclough and the governor to acquire more pleasant job, cells or special privileges.