Review of Minder: Series 5 Part 3 Of 3

Introduction

Two episodes on this disc.

George Cole has made a good living playing `Flash Harry` from St Trinian`s and Minder ran for several series. Getting ideas for this kind of drama must be quite difficult and so many ideas end up being endlessly recycled.

Episode 7

Terry and Arthur go debt collecting. This week they acquire a steam cleaning business and help out a hypnotist and his girlfriend.

Cue hilarious gags with damaged carpets. Also cue Arthur being hypnotised into being successful and thinking his cigars taste of burned rubber.
That`s it.

Its amusing in a` I wish I had something else to watch` way but it won`t change your life. It may make you believe in hypnotism.
They do not seem to make any money so presumably they are collecting the dole as well ah but they are not villains but loveable con men so that`s OK then…
Also play spot the guest star -this time a pre-Eastenders Dot Cotton.
Episode 8

This follows the improbable situation of Arthur standing for the local Council. His inability to deal with paperwork leads to his car lot being compulsorily purchased and Arthur believes that becoming a Councillor will make a difference. As it turns out his seat holds the balance of power between the parties and various shenanigans ensue.

Meanwhile Terry has acquired another `bird`, a journalist who wants to do an `in-depth` piece on his boxing career. I don`t think I need to explain in-depth here. This was a family show.

Speaking of family shows this is remarkably tame stuff for a post watershed offering-that was 1984

Episode 8 is definitely superior stuff and I confess I enjoyed it. The script was sharper and despite all the clichés it still works well.

Guests to spot here include Caroline Langrishe, Patrick Malahide (Chisolm) and the Brigadier from Doctor Who!

Video

Standard transfer from television and quite reasonable given its age. It is all a bit grey, the sun never shines in London it seems.

Audio

Pretty standard-dig that theme tune. Too catchy, I found myself singing it the other day.

Features

Cockney rhyming slang - I kid you not
Episode Guide-text only.

Series Guide-text only.

Series 6 Trailers.

All rather pointless.

Conclusion

Despite misgivings I enjoyed watching this. The transfer is reasonable quality. It is not something I would buy as I`m sure that these series turn up on satellite pretty often. The scripts do vary as is the case with all long running TV programmes but there are glimpses of gold dust.