The Thick Of It - Series 3 [DVD]

"Well, that's Hugh gone, then."

"It's so sad, isn't it? Hugh..."

"You don't give a..."

"No, perhaps I don't."

The Thick Of It was a series which I would occasionally catch & while I could appreciate its brilliance, found there was so much going on at rather a breakneck pace, that I was unable to pick it up. However, the start of series 3 is an excellent jumping-on point, as following a cabinet reshuffle, Nicola Murray (Rebecca Front) replaces Hugh Abbot (Chris Langham, who unsurprisingly does not appear in this series) as the new Secretary Of State for Social Affairs and Citizenship. Thus the audience quickly learn the ropes along with her, as she discovers that she's merely "a woman with a computer & some pens", subject to the 'pen budget', with "as much real power as those [twits] who sit either side of Alan Sugar".

Previously an obscure Junior Minister, Murray is thrust into the role because nobody else wants it; the only other candidate who hasn't turned it down is Malcolm's "left [gland] with a smiley face drawn on it." But thanks to her troubled family life & incompetent underlings, it isn't long before she faces the wrath of the self-same Malcolm Tucker, the PM's 'enforcer' who "thinks of himself as a thin, white Mugabe". Based on old-school political bullies like Alastair Campbell, Malcolm believes in the 'carrot & stick' approch - "first, insert a carrot up his... followed by a stick & a slightly rougher carrot." In series 3, Malcolm is more acerbic & unstable than ever. Used to feeling in control, cracks are beginning to appear due to the stress of keeping a failing government together ("it's like the break-up of The Beatles, during the fall of the Roman Empire, while Jordan's getting divorced from that bloke") & a lack of popularity with the voters ("we're series 10 of The Big Breakfast & you're the dinner lady they've asked to present it"). His diminishing influence ultimately leaves him vulnerable to the machinations of an equally unstable spin doctor - but he won't go out without a dirty fight.

It's great to see this series survive the departure of its central character - which is powerful testament to the strength of the supporting cast. Peter Capaldi again steals the show as the one-man swear-storm Malcolm. Rebecca Front - for years, the bridesmaid in popular comedies but never the bride - is an excellent addition to the cast, well deserving of the main role. Her character also seems much more well-rounded than that of predecessor Langham.

I recently watched the first episode of this series on the BBC iPlayer & was so thoroughly hooked, I found myself watching all 8 episodes of the entire series within 24 hours. So much happens in each half-hour episode that I've rewatched them countless times since & it still hasn't lost its sheen. I've also picked up the earlier series & the specials - while I thoroughly enjoyed them, I found that they were not quite as funny & well-polished as series three. As such, this DVD is literally the best of the best in my view - highly recommended!

Incidentally - just to help with any confusion, series 1 & 2 consisted of only 3 episodes each, originally transmitted in May & October '05. All 6 of these appear on the Complete BBC Series 1 DVD. So despite this being series 3, the only previous releases are the Complete 2005 BBC Series 1 (which is technically series 1 & 2) & the 2006 Specials. In addition, the Malcolm Tucker character also features in the film In The Loop.

Good parts:

Malcolm Tucker being vicious, venal, violent, foul-mouthed and scheming.
Ollie being quietly Machiavellian as he tries to climb the greasy pole of Whitehall mandarins.
Glen having a crush on the new minister and a splattered nose into the bargain.
Nicola lurching from one crisis to another like a "squirrel trapped in a pedal bin"
Terri's crush on Peter.
Ben the bully looking like a rabbit caught in car headlights when dealing with Malcolm.
The Party Conference, the collapsed cafe, the grieving widow and the jokes at her expense.
The radio talkshow.
The Fourth Sector Pathway that crashes and burns.
Nicola reaching for Evening Primrose oil every time she fouls up, as if it will solve the world's ills.

Bad parts:

Hilarious . We watched the whole DVD over two nights. Language raw but just makes it funnier!