Review of Minder: Series 10 (3 disc set)

Introduction

Series 10 of this by-now `classic` British TV institution kicks off with Episode 99 of the entire series. Despite this, the episodes here seem as fresh and inventive as the first, despite the absence of Denis Waterman.

Ironically, the series was originally conceived as a vehicle for Dennis Waterman. Indeed (as watchers of Little Britain will certainly appreciate, Mr. Waterman composed and sung the theme tune (up to episode 72) with his band, Kenny.

Euston Films, who started life by independently producing `Van Der Valk` for Thames Television in 1972, went on to turn out distinctive and gritty dramas like `Danger UXB` and `The Sweeney. Indeed, for many `Minder` was a kind of spin-off from `The Sweeney`` with Denis Waterman stepping straight from one role (George Carter) into the `starring role` (supposedly) of this all-new series.

Minder was created by the writer Leon Griffiths and it was first broadcast in October 1979, initially getting a fairly luke-warm reception from viewers thirsting for more Sweeney style drama. But the amusing plots, as well as Cole`s hilarious characterisation of Arthur Daley meant that the public soon thawed and the series went on for a further 15 years until this, the last series which finished in 1994.

The series is probably best described (as if you didn`t know) as a comedy/drama featuring the roguish exploits of Arthur Daley (George Cole) a dodgy `businessman` in the `Only Fools and Horses` tradition, dealing in dodgy goods. Naturally, this often meant trouble which necessitated the addition of a faithful, if slightly dim sidekick, `Minder` (bodyguard) ex-boxer Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman).

In 1991 Dennis Waterman declined to continue with the series, despite its popularity meaning that he and George Cole were two of the biggest paid stars in British Television. Naturally, many assumed that this would be the end of it. But Euston weren`t about to stop milking their cash cow and, after a two-year rest, they added a new character to replace Waterman. Ray Daley (Gary Webster), Arthur`s nephew, was introduced to replace Terry, and the series continued until 1994, clocking up a total of 105 52 minute episodes, as well as a couple of feature length outings and `specials`.

Ray Daley just isn`t as `hard` as Terry McCann and there was a softer feel to the series, with more character focus and less action from his arrival. There`s also some notable stylistic changes too such as the increased use of emotive background music which was decidedly absent from the harder hitting early years. It`s worth noting that in this final set of episodes were produced on a budget as, by the time of this series, its popularity was starting to wane. Despite this, there`s much to enjoy with all the usual plot predicaments, classic Daley protestations and much high farce.
The very last episode, featuring a very worried looking Daley, and an unhinged friend who has escaped from prison, gives no closure or indication that this was the end of the line, which leads me to suspect that none of the production crew or creative team had any notion that the end was nigh.

A great feature of the Minder series was the inventive use of film title spoofs and well-known saying adaptations as episode titles, a trend started by Galton and Simpson with `Steptoe and Son` a couple of decades earlier. Series 10 is no exception with several corkers amongst the series.

EPISODE 1 - A FRIDGE TOO FAR: Arthur stages a robbery at the lock-up to make a false insurance claim.

EPISODE 2 - ANOTHER CASE OF VAN BLANK: Arthur, Ray and Dave travel to France to get a truckload of cheap booze, and Arthur somehow becomes implicated when the load is stolen.

EPISODE 3 - ALL THINGS BRIGHTON BEAUTIFUL: In this, the 100th episode, an old acquaintance takes refuge with Arthur from a skinhead who`s out to kill him.

EPISODE 4 - ONE FLEW OVER THE PARENTS` NEST: Arthur lets out Bert and Doreen`s house to a young girl and then gets arrested for running a brothel.

EPISODE 5 - THE IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION: Arthur sells a car to a nun.

EPISODE 6 - ALL QUIET ON THE WEST END FRONT: Arthur opens an `executive entertainment` business.

EPISODE 7 - THE GREAT DEPRESSION OF 1994:Arthur`s brother-in-law feigns depression to stop Ray`s mother interfering in his life, and Arthur tries a stint as a psychological counsellor. Classic!

EPISODE 8 - ON THE AUTO-FRONT: Arthur employs two black rappers to make a radio advert to help his ailing used car business.

EPISODE 9 - BRING ME THE HEAD OF ARTHUR DALEY: Arthur gets community service after a convict plants a stolen carpet in his lock-up by way of revenge.

EPISODE 10 - THE LONG GOOD THURSDAY: An escaped convict visits Arthur believing that his wife is having an affair. He eventually holds Arthur hostage in what is a fine ending to this classic series.

Video

This series was shot in 1993/1994, though it has all the visual hallmarks of a series shot ten years earlier. Euston Films did little to change their winning visual formula and stuck to the low-contrast, often grainy use of 16mm colour stock for this entire series. The condition is variable here, and it`s a strangely dated look - though possibly not yet dated enough to be benefit from the warm and forgiving glow of nostalgia. That said, if you like `Minder` then here it is - graininess and all. And it probably won`t get any better than this either.

Audio

Dialogue is strong here, and use of incidental music lifts Series 10 from the earlier, sparsely underscored series. It`s just what you`d expect from TV of this vintage. No better but certainly no worse.

Features

GEORGE COLE INTERVIEW: THE GARY WEBSTER YEARS - it`s strange to hear how well spoken the real George Cole is. It feels as if this, surely, is the put on voice. He talks of Gary Webster with genuine affection in an interview that lasts for about 10 minutes or so.

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW" FEATURE - text base catch up with the cast.

FINAL SERIES & EPISODE GUIDE - brief descriptions of the plot of each episode along with cast and crew details.

Conclusion

In some respects, this final series of Minder, which relies wholeheartedly on the gentle humour of its characterisation rather than plot, is very much like classic Ealing comedy. Its gentle pace, and its comedy of delusion is a very British phenomenon indeed. In a way this was George Cole`s classic St. Trinian`s spiv character (Flash Harry) who`s all grown up and making good in South London. It`s also somehow from the same stable as `Only Fools and Horses`, though despite this quintessential British-ness is still enjoyed the world over. It`s a real tribute to the team that brought this together that these later episodes lost none of the charm and humour of the earlier episodes. Now roll on that 30 Disc box set with the lot in!