This episode has a real 'Sweeney 'feel to it.
Terry helps an old school pal who had escaped prison and wants clearing after being fitted up.
This involves some very violent and nasty criminals who make no bones about hurting people badly if they do not get what they want.
Scrap yards , punch ups and Terry and Arthur on great form really showing the chemistry they had developed at this point , two very fine actors.
Good episode with the local policeman Rycot actually coming across as very decent in this one.
3 Reviews
Old School Crime Drama
ArtVandelayImporterExporter26 June 2023
Terry's long-ago school chum breaks out of jail to prove his innocence on a diamond burglary some years back. McCann has to stash him somewhere safe, then calls another old school chum who is a newspaper reporter to see whether they can uncover the truth.
This was a satisfyingly gritty crime episode that was heavy on the drama and light on the comedy, much like the final episode of Series 1. It really showcased Waterman's talents: he could be gentle with the girlfriend, have great chemistry with Arthur and Dave, and then dish out some serious licks to the bad guys.
George Cole as Arthur also plays it very straight this time out and he's very effective, as is Glyn Johns as Dave.
Inspector Rycott does legit police work, and does so in a way that shows the Ol' Bill aren't just there to spoil Arthur's fun, but actually understand that guys like Arthur are important sources of information on the street and that there is plenty of give and take.
Episode is also helped by the appearance of a couple of attractive female actresses. They both acquit themselves very well.
This episode is quite a ways away from the lighthearted Minder we know and love, but it is no less rewarding.
This was a satisfyingly gritty crime episode that was heavy on the drama and light on the comedy, much like the final episode of Series 1. It really showcased Waterman's talents: he could be gentle with the girlfriend, have great chemistry with Arthur and Dave, and then dish out some serious licks to the bad guys.
George Cole as Arthur also plays it very straight this time out and he's very effective, as is Glyn Johns as Dave.
Inspector Rycott does legit police work, and does so in a way that shows the Ol' Bill aren't just there to spoil Arthur's fun, but actually understand that guys like Arthur are important sources of information on the street and that there is plenty of give and take.
Episode is also helped by the appearance of a couple of attractive female actresses. They both acquit themselves very well.
This episode is quite a ways away from the lighthearted Minder we know and love, but it is no less rewarding.
The Old School Tie
Prismark109 February 2020
Terry helped out Dave and was told to keep it a secret. Arthur is upset that Terry is doing some freelancing leading to another falling out between them.
When Terry returns home he finds his old pal George fixing his television. George is a career criminal who has escaped from jail. George claims he was fitted up for the diamond job. He was actually doing another job at the time.
DS Rycott turns up to give a gentle warning to Arthur. It is not only the police that are looking for George. Two heavies Billy and Tommy call up various people asking about George and they do not leave without causing damage.
Plenty of things happen here. Terry is proactive, he gets a journalist involved to help clear George's name.
The stuntmen are kept busy as there is plenty of action scenes between Billy, Tommy and Terry. These two are no pushovers and leave a trail of bruises in their wake.
Derek Thompson pops up as George's rather shifty brother in law.
When Terry returns home he finds his old pal George fixing his television. George is a career criminal who has escaped from jail. George claims he was fitted up for the diamond job. He was actually doing another job at the time.
DS Rycott turns up to give a gentle warning to Arthur. It is not only the police that are looking for George. Two heavies Billy and Tommy call up various people asking about George and they do not leave without causing damage.
Plenty of things happen here. Terry is proactive, he gets a journalist involved to help clear George's name.
The stuntmen are kept busy as there is plenty of action scenes between Billy, Tommy and Terry. These two are no pushovers and leave a trail of bruises in their wake.
Derek Thompson pops up as George's rather shifty brother in law.
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