Minder (TV Series) The Balance of Power (1984) User Reviews

A treat for the voters, and Minder fans

[midbrowcontrarian · 9/10 · 29 April 2022]

The earlier Minder episodes were well worth watching and I'm especially fond of this one. The political flavour makes it a cut above the usual offering of low grade crooks and outwitted coppers.

Council officials, for some reason unappreciative of Arthur's selfless service to the community, place a compulsory purchase order on his car lot. Determined on revenge, he stands in a council bye-election as an independent on a law and order platform. One of the best moments is detective sergeant Chisholm's outraged reaction on hearing the news, "law and order! One of the most dishonest men on my manor", he fumes.

Arthur being Arthur, his electioneering takes absolutely no cognisance of electoral law. During canvassing Terry remonstrates: "So far you've promised to unblock 15 drains, redecorate 27 rooms, repair four roofs and allow 19 Australians to stay here indefinitely". He is also armed with 800 boxes of chocolates to dish out to voters. Chisholm naturally suspects them of being stolen goods, in fact he could far more easily have nicked him for election treating.

Another treat is the lovely Caroline Langrishe as Terry's current girlfriend, what more could one ask for?

Probably a better idea on paper

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 6/10 · 1 September 2023]

Daley gets his car lot impounded for back taxes, or something. In a snit, he decides to run for local council. Terry's helping him canvassing the hood. And Terry's GF is a Fleet Street reporter who helps the campaign at key moments.

Looks better on paper than it played.

It kind of feels forced.

Admittedly, George Cole and the guy who plays a rival reporter briefly get into a drunken sing-along of You'll Never Walk Alone is a treat, esp for Pink Floyd fans. And D. S. Chisholm and sidekick Jones are written into the episode. But somehow it doesn't quite add up to anything much.

Caroline Langrishe is one of the better-looking women to appear on Minder.

The ending is typical of mid-run Minder, where it kinda seems to end mid-narrative. Somebody delivers a line and you expect the episode to continue for another scene or several. It's actually one of the endearing qualities of the show. You get to use your imagination to fill in the gaps.

Even as one of the weaker Season 5 episodes, Minder is still one of the most memorable shows to ever appear on television. Thank goodness for pirate television, which allows me to revisit something I loved to much, so many decades ago.