Video review

Minder series 2, volume 1, episodes 1-3. Rated PG.

Minder is finally being brought out for home viewing. Amazingly for the first time, it's being released in original UK broadcast order by Clear Vison. Even more amazingly, it's on both Region 2 DVD and PAL VHS for the UK market.

I've reviewed the VHS release here. The DVD has a few more features, but I didn't get the DVD review copy, only the VHS!

Series 2, episode 1

First broadcast 11th September 1980 by Thames Televison.

A new series, and a new direction? Classic Minder starts here. We have almost all the elements that we need, despite only having George and Dennis from the regular cast.

Always wanting to "be seen", Arthur has gone to a horse racing meeting, and he has dragged Terry along too. Terry takes a shine to one of the jockeys, Jocelyn, but is otherwise out of his depth. Arthur explains though that a friend of his, Jeremy Burnham-Jones can help him get shot of two gross of imitation statuettes of Milton in return for a favour.

Terry and Arthur make a rare trip on a train to Brighton, and visit the double-barrelled Jeremy's antique shop. Terry suddenly realised that the favour Arthur promised was the loan of Terry. But for what?

Terry's job is to "Mind" a prize racehorse, to prevent him from being knobbled. That means that he has to sleep in the stable. Just as he is adamantly refusing to do so, one of the jockeys, Jocelyn, walks up. Terry instantly changes his mind, but is plagued by the stable girl, Rita taking a shine to him.

Despite being played absoloutely straight, this episode had me laughing out loud quite a few times. Dennis and George have now really got the hang of their characters, and boy, does it show.

George Cole ­ Arthur Daley;
Dennis Waterman ­ Terry McCann;
Liza Goddard ­ Jocelyn;
Jane Carr ­ Rita;
Ken Hutchison ­ Brickett;
Jim Norton ­ O'Brady;
Robert Swann ­ Jeremy Burnham-Jones;
Jeremy Young ­ Everett;
Bill Kerry ­ Georgie Gumm;
Raymond Young ­ Clerk of the scales;
John Fahey ­ Point-to-point Bookie.

Executive Producer - Verity Lambert;
Producers - Lloyd Shirley, George Taylor;
Script Executive - Linda Agran
Writer - Willis Hall
Director - Martin Campbell

Watch out for...

Liza Goddard has had a varied career, and is well known for many things, particularly for Philippa Vale the Ice Maiden in Bergerac.

Jane Carr has had many roles in her career, but is probably best remembered as Louise, the owner of the 1-2-1 club in the BBC series "Dear John".

Series 2, episode 2

First broadcast 19th September 1980 by Thames Televison.

Well into the groove now, we get to see stunts now to go with the fighting. All laced with that Minder humour of course.

Arthur has a new line that he's flogging. Watches. They're not particularly reliable, but who cares? Whilst selling a watch to Dave, the phone rings, and it's the hospital. An old friend of Arthur's, Alex, has been in an accident, and is asking for him.

After sending Terry to see his gran (it's her birthday) with a present of "a nice watch", Arthur goes to visit Alex in hospital. He's covered in plaster from neck to foot, and he's in traction. Alex explains that he now runs an Antique shop with his partner, Jim, and that Jim has been receiving visits from a protection racket. Alex could look after himself, but being in hospital, is unable to look after Jim and the shop. Arthur, as always, has a solution.

Arthur and Terry visit the shop, and Terry realises straight away that Jim is a "raving Iron", and refuses to sleep over at the shop with him. Arthur refuses to believe that Alex is gay so goes to visit Alez' wife, Gloria.

Terry however is supicious, and when Arthur returns, he goes on a detective mission to work out if any other shops have been visited. Under Arthur's 'care', Jim gives him the slip for a while, and on his return, they are visited by the protection mob again. Arthur is beaten up.

Next time they arrive, Terry is waiting for them, and he has a plan...

Despite being very non-politically correct these days, this episode manages to dispel the myth that Terry is homophobic, although the jury is still out on Arthur. The rooftop chase in particular is excellent, and the portrayal of all the characters is top notch. And we have the by now almost obligatory Winchester scene.

George Cole ­ Arthur Daley
Dennis Waterman ­ Terry McCann
Glynn Edwards ­ Dave Harris;
Janet Kay ­ Gloria;
David Daker ­ Alex;
Alun Lewis ­ Jim;
John Forgeham ­ George;
Peter Cheevers ­ Charlie;
Molly Veness ­ Grandma;
David Anker ­ Chas;
Victoria Fenton ­ Sister;
Stuart St. Paul ­ Garry;
Brian Jameson ­ Ronald;

Executive Producer - Verity Lambert;
Producers - Lloyd Shirley, George Taylor;
Script Executive - Linda Agran;
Writer - Tony Hoare;
Director - Roy Ward Baker.

Series 2, episode 3

First broadcast 25th October 1980 by Thames Televison.

It was as if the production team had to prove to themselves that Minder did still work with the drama, but without the comedy; that's why they made this one. Of course, the format is so strong that it worked.

Terry is relaxing at home when the doorbell rings. It's his long term casual girlfriend Penny, the air hostess. She's come to London unannounced to spend a whole week with Terry; and Terry is delighted.

Arthur is at a casino, where he comes across an old friend. Maurice. Maurice has promised his wife that he has given up gambling, so he has invented a system for playing roulette where, in effect, he gambles with other people's money! As long as he can get six people round the table, their combined playing power will beat the casino, but the casino knows it, and attempts to threaten Maurice's players to stop playing. Arthur of course, offers Terry's services.

Terry has declared himself to be on holiday with Penny, but Arthur's offer persuades him to do the job. Terry gets Penny along too, to assist with minding the lady players.

All appears to be going well, until another player is threatened, and Arthur suggests that all six would be easier to protect if they were together... in Terry's flat. Just as Terry is trying to convince Penny that it would be allright to share the flat with six strangers, Terry hears that Maurice's wife has gone missing...

Quintessential Minder this. It indeed proves that the comedy isn't really needed, but you still get to laugh out loud at Arthur and his antics.

George Cole ­ Arthur Daley
Dennis Waterman ­ Terry McCann
Anthony Valentine - Maurice
Gennie Nevinson - Penny
Beth Morris - Jacko
Peggy Thorpe-Bates - Mrs. Beecham
Ronald Leigh-Hunt - Major Lampson
Clifford Parrish - Allnutt
Angela Easterling - Miss Carr
Kenneth Midwood - Jackson
Lesley Joseph - Maureen
Leslie Schofield - Parsons
Lynda Baron - Sadie
Michael Watkins - Tony
Sidney Livingstone - George
Toni Palmer, Pamela Manson - Women at health club

Executive Producer - Verity Lambert;
Producers - Lloyd Shirley, George Taylor;
Script Executive - Linda Agran;
Writer - Jeremy Burnham
Director - James Gatwood

Watch out for...

Lesley Joseph is well known for playing the maneater Dorien in Birds of a Feather.

Leslie Schofield went on to play Jeff Healey (Mel's father) in EastEnders.

Lynda Baron is best known for playing Arkwright's lust interest Nurse Gladys Emmanuells in Open All Hours.