7.3 Fatal Impression

[jno]

Link to episode on minder.org: www.minder.org/episodeguide/S07E03_FatalImpression.htm

[richb]

Some classic banter in the Winchester in this one

[jno]

Mar 7, 2015 17:20:12 GMT richb said:

Some classic banter in the Winchester in this one

I agree! I am aware this is not everyone's favourite episode though (with Larchlap Riley's "Miracle" story somewhat implausible), but the character of Larchy is quite funny - a true rogue who owes absolutely EVERYONE with a family who are loyal to the end. The female writer of this one was clearly trying to involve a domestic violence theme here, which had already been covered to some extent in "Not A Bad Lad, Dad" earlier. Kim Thomson - fair play, bit of a thing for her back then.

Interesting location fact to some perhaps but "The Crown" pub where Terry goes and waits for Larchy and sees the singer is the same boozer seen at the start of "Rocky Eight And A Half".

I remember this one from original broadcast - the scenes at the end where Arthur attempts to keep Terry in his employment by thwarting his chances of a real break are very memorable. We really see how selfish Arthur can be here and the writer clearly gets Arthur's bad side - fair play, Arthur's a right "wrong'un" sometimes, but we still love him! Sadly for me though, the whole 'Marsden Motors' job for Terry just raises more questions about this episode than it provides answers, resolution or outcome.

Terry gets the job - so ok, what happens (or happened) next? It is great to see Arthur squirm at the end of it all and of course you feel there is some justice for Terry but my only feeling is that there is no justice for the viewer. Seven days later and Terry is back helping out in "Daley Videos" - so WHAT happened? If there was ever a candidate from all the episodes in series 7 to be "the final Terry episode", this would probably be it for me i.e. 'half a cliffhanger' or in the case of Minder more like "Arfur cliffhanger".

[arnie]

Not the most plausable of storylines granted but Minder wasn't about that.

As RichB said the banter in this one was brilliant.

The best bits being in the Winchester with the shroud - and the reaction of Tick Tack and the others when Arthur tells them Er Indoors had washed and ironed it is as funny as the line itself.

[Wynn Chester]

It always surprises me that this episode isn't amongst the fans fav's... as richb and arnie both say, some of the banter is classic Minder and this exchange between Arthur and Tc Tac in the Winchester is just priceless:

Tic Tac: "Hello Arthur, hows tricks?"
Arthur: "No idea Tic-Tac, I'm an entrepreneur, not a member of the magic circle..."

I do agree with jno about the lack of continuity between this and the next episode though... but continuity was never one of Minder's strong points (like the different locations for the Winchester, the Car Lot and the Lock Up for instance) but I've never let them be something to get hung up over... 

[jno]

Jun 14, 2015 22:30:10 GMT Wynn Chester said:

Tic Tac: "Hello Arthur, hows tricks?"
Arthur: "No idea Arthur, I'm an entrepreneur, not a member of the magic circle..."

I absolutely love this line and have it stored away just in case anyone ever asks me 'How's tricks?' - I think this line is up there as one of the cleverest bits of dialogue ever in Minder and it is superbly delivered by Billy Connolly with his great accent.

Tic Tac is such a great character name too - for me it infers immediately that the guy is clearly into all sorts of shenanigans and deals in all goods various before we even find out anything about him.

[Wynn Chester]

It has to be one of the top 5 comical exchanges from the Terry McCann years... and I've used it several times in real life too, just substituting entrepreneur with my current job title

[Kevin Dean]

Anybody been to that location on that street near the airport? Is it actually Hounslow? What a place to live! Crazy! I would like to visit the location. Some nice filming with the planes reflecting in the Jag front window. I can just imagine them lining it up and waiting for the 'Action'! Getting towards the end of the Terry years again, but feels like it needs a change. Looking forward to the Ray years in the next few days. Some truly fresh episodes to come.

[jno]

Jun 24, 2015 23:11:45 GMT Kevin Dean said:

Anybody been to that location on that street near the airport? Is it actually Hounslow? What a place to live! Crazy!

Yep, the location was found some time ago by our very own Wynn Chester - it is Hounslow and features half way down here: www.minder.org/locations/S07E03_FatalImpression.htm

I haven't been to the house but I know what you mean - with the number of planes in and out it must be crazy if you're not used to it. I do know a few folks who live near to airports and they say after a while you don't even realise it as it becomes part and parcel of everyday noise and nothing out of the ordinary.

Apr 21, 2015 16:56:15 GMT arnie said:

Not the most plausable of storylines granted but Minder wasn't about that.

I agree 100% with this. The 'miracle of Hounslow' is ridiculous really but somehow I find it half plausible because it's Minder and Larchlap Riley and his family are so clearly a bunch of crooks anyway.

Every time I watch this one I am always impressed by the performance of both Kim Thomson (Sylvie) and Ian Redford (Stevo). I am not too sure about the domestic violence sub-plot and the ridiculousness of Larchy's sheet going together in one story but somehow it seems to work.

Domestic violence with Terry playing bodyguard had already been done back from in series 2's 'Not A Bad Lad'. If you compare how Terry has to deal with it in that one versus this one you can really see how the fisticuffs have been toned down. Admittedly it's a different storyline and Terry knows Stevo in this one, but where as series 2 had a ruck in the street, this one simply has Terry dishing out a verbal warning.

The delightful Kim Thomson (who never seems to look any older wherever she appears) has a defunct official website here: www.officialkimthomson.co.uk

[VAT]

Love the way Tic Tac plucks a quick fiver out of the collection box on the way into the house

[daz]

Gave this a watch in the early hours of this morning and I thoroughly enjoyed, even Billy Connolly, who I normally switch off when I see on TV, was good, wasn't his usual overbearing self and hamming up the Glasgow accent.

You know when you have a character called Larchlap Riley that you are going to get good comedy moments and sure enough we did. The story was daft, but that's Minder, expect the unexpected, sit back and enjoy.

The other running theme of Terry being the first stop once again for a woman in need, just took us away from the daftness of the Larchlap storyline, but you can see in this series that Arthur and Terrys time together was coming to an end. Terry was just getting to old to carry on as a Minder and I would also say you could see in DWs performaces in this series that his heart wasn't in it.

Arthur having a word with Mr Marsden to ensure Terry got the job was a nice touch also

[chopper]

They certainly pulled in some top drawer actors for this final series!

[pr1]

A lot of good moments and some great dialogue but this episode felt uneven to me. I liked seeing Terry in knight in shining armor mode again as he helps Sylvie. It's an aspect of the character that diminishes after the first couple years. It demonstrates what a stand up bloke Terry is especially compared to someone like Arthur. I like that Terry threatens Steveo at the end and you know he means it.

It's been well established that Arthur is a selfish jerk but I thought what he tried to do to Terry with the car dealer was despicable. Maybe if he hadn't tried to interfere so directly his actions wouldn't be so contemptible. At least it worked out all right for Terry.

I didn't care for the whole impression storyline which just seemed ridiculous to me. Not a bad episode but as I said I find it uneven. With a rewrite this could have been a fine exit for Terry from the series. Terry finally getting a real job and starting a new life with Sylvie wouldn't have been a bad way for him to leave. I do know he does leave after this season.

[Zimbo]

I've always wondered if this was meant to be the final episode of series 7. It's a logical way to end the series, even if it wasn't 100% confirmed that Dennis wasn't coming back.

[jno]

As mentioned above, the same pub in 'Rocky Eight And A Half' seen in this one - here's a matching photo (top from Rocky Eight And A Half):

[syrupapplesnpears]

Some good stuff here - Billy Connolly's years of stand-up make him a natural (comedians are good like that).
Love Arthur's theatrical backache when he's carrying the boxes from Larchlap's van (love his nickname - Larchlap is a kind of panel fencing).
Terry looks like he's on the up too as he's got a nice flat - shame this couldn't be his final episode.
Any idea why Sheila Steafal's hilariously out-of-tune turn was backed by a huge cheque pinned to the back wall?

[njaustin]

I love this episode. Perhaps because it was written by a woman, it has a slightly different slant - the battered partner. This brings the very best out in Terry. Shame that she went back to Steveo at the end though.

There are some classic Arthur malapropisms: "...the man was an invertebrate gambler" and "...life-long confidante you might be but in my book, you'll be palpable..."

My all-time favourite line EVER though is when he is trying to rally the other creditors with: "What about the great British battles? Battle of Trafalgar? Siege of Maferking? Little Cliffy Richard winning the Eurovision Song Contest?"

Lots of sly wit in this episode. Loved it!

[rjc77]

Love the line in the lockup where Arthur says to Terry 'In the mists of life we are in death Terry, you never know when the Grim Reaper's gonna strike. We're just blades of grass waiting for the great Qualcast to come along.'

A lot less bovver than a hover, lol!!

RJC.

[ltd]

Not my favourite episode, but there's always something to like in the George Cole/Dennis Waterman episodes. Arthur's "fallen women" speech makes me laugh. Funny and appalling at the same time - it sums him up perfectly.

[billyfarmer]

Another one of my favourite episodes (from series seven), which I can remember watching, in 1989 (when the episode was first shown).

There are lots of things, I like about this episode - the miracle storyline, and the reaction of the female Newspaper Reporter (Anwen Rees), to the sheet - thank you very much Mr Daley, for a total waste of time, the scenes at Hounslow, Tick Tack (Billy Connolly), a memorable character, who I wish could have been in more than one episode of Minder, the terrible singing of Sheila Steafel's character, in the Pub, a scene that always makes me laugh, Arthur, once again, showing his devious side, trying to ruin Terry's chances, of finding employment, elsewhere.

I remember one scene, in Terry's flat, where Sylvie (Kim Thomson), was watching TV (the end of the ITV News at Ten, I think).

I can think of a few other members, of the cast of the BBC Sitcom Brush Strokes, who appeared in episodes of Minder - Gary Waldhorn, Karl Howman, Christopher Ellison and Howard Lew Lewis.

I saw Pamela Cundell (who played a mourner, in this episode), a few times, at Dad's Army Days, at Bressingham, Norfolk.

[Arch Stanton]

"You know where you are with a dog.. It's gonna grow up, have four legs, a tail and bark. But with sprouts you're on a very sticky wicket."

[Zimbo]

I'm surprised at the average votes for this one. The banter between Terry and Arthur was spot on throughout. Kim Thomson looked fantastic despite the bruise. The story didn't flow as well as it could have done, otherwise it would have been outstanding. I'd rate it 4.5/5

[thewoodster]

I agree Zimbo, I think it's a worthy watch.
At the top end in my opinion of episodes in this series.

[pr1]

I watched this for the second time today and stand by the comments I posted two years ago. There are some very good moments but overall I find it uneven.

[chopper]

Another good series 7 episode, very different feel about series 7 , as I’ve mentioned before. Late 80’s - but now 30 years old!!😮

[westldner]

I like how it strays away from the typical "You got to help me tonight Terry" "No Arthur, I have a date". Really moved away from that at this point I think and how they make the airplane a running gag for the episode. They really wanted to capture the moments the plane were trying to land for those scenes. It was good.

[jno]

Press photo.

[denzel]

A great episode, certainly for the late Terry years..lots to love about this one, always worth a rewatch, I feel.
Agreed that the whole thing with Larchlap's "miracle" is a tacky plotline, to say the least..but that does not bring the rest of the episode down at all. Agreed also with jno that it could have been a fine ending to series 7..but then, if you'd have had Tel keep the Marsden job..you'd have no real reason for Tel to go run away, down under..

• Anita Bronson brings some fine dialogue and ideas, plopping them into her sole episode at the end of the series..it just feel that nobody else on the production was working with her, else they'd have surely worked the Marsden thing into their subsequent episodes, some bleedin' how.
• Interesting to note the credits, right off the bat; Glynn Edwards and Kim Thomson are listed before the iconic Arthur & Tel handshake freeze frame, during which we get a "and Billy Connolly as Tick Tack". Not sure why this was, perhaps due to their bringing in bigger names for this series, as has been noted.
• As for Tick-Tack himself..a great character, to be sure. And I believe somewhere on here, it was noted how a Tick-Tack man is the term for a bloke who works at the horse-grounds, binoculars and all. I'm no expert, so I don't know.
• If Tel's never seen Arthur on a Sunday..well, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of being his Minder, at least by 1/7^th? You'd think the local villains would have cottoned onto this chink in Daley's protective armour by now.
• When Stevo went for a lie down, Sylvie simply picked up the kids and did a runner. In light of the Bobbitt case, I'd have to say he got off extremely lightly. 
• What do babies eat, Terry asks.....for some reason.
• Although we get the aptly named Steven Law (of Piglet Files fame) as a cop, I can't help but feel this was a weak choice..why not Rycott, Jones, or both.
• I wasn't that keen on the pub singer, myself. I'd preferred the end scene from The Beer Hunter, personally.
• Arthur "offers" Dave a nice trip out...the very episode following his big trip out to Folkstone.
• Really loved how Arthur just finds Tick-Tack waiting, camped outside Riley's gaff in Hounslow. And these scenes, and how the airplanes were shot, really stick out in my mind, when thinking of this episode. Great stuff.
• A great little line from Tel, when Arthur has complained about his foot: "Oh dear, who was that, 'Er Indoors"?
• Day two of the Riley stakeout, and Tick-Tack has his Tick-Tack man's binoculars handy..and makes the supposedly prophetic quip, "as silent as the grave".
• Funny line outside the house, with Tel telling Arthur to go in and get his "farmers" sorted out.
• Arthur said phenomenonon. This episode is worth every penny just for that word of dialogue alone.
• Arthur correcting Dermot by saying it could be the media event of the decade/decayed was a well delivered line.
• Bit careless of Dave i thought, blabbing everything about Tel's interview to Arthur..contrived writing, of course, to get Daley down there to Marsden's...but still..you'd think Dave would have known not to let Arthur in on it, for Tel's sake.
• Got to say, one of my favourite scenes in this involved the reporter. "How dare you", she countered, to Daley. She sure told him alright. And her giving him the scoop on how her story will read..Art charlatan plans to fleece believers..that was great. Anwen Rees - skirt and all - was great, generally.
• For some reason, each time I see Stevo saying there'd be no trouble, at the end, I believe there won't be. Dunno if it's down to the actor, or Tel's threat shaking him up..but well done, anyhow.
• Thanks to Ozzie, Peter Capaldi's Scottish character, Arthur should know the meaning of bampot by now.
• As people have said, among the great lines is Arthur bemoaning laundryhappy Er Indoors having washed and ironed the sheet.
• Weird ending, to be sure. Makes you wonder if they meant to do anything after this episode. A bit like the end of Caught In The Act Fact, in that way.

Jun 25, 2015 3:40:52 GMT jno said:

Jun 24, 2015 23:11:45 GMT Kevin Dean said:

Anybody been to that location on that street near the airport? Is it actually Hounslow? What a place to live! Crazy!

Yep, the location was found some time ago by our very own Wynn Chester

Yep..that was a well crazy place to live..and well done, Wynn.

Jun 25, 2015 3:40:52 GMT jno said:

Apr 21, 2015 16:56:15 GMT arnie said:

Not the most plausable of storylines granted but Minder wasn't about that.

I agree 100% with this. The 'miracle of Hounslow' is ridiculous really but somehow I find it half plausible because it's Minder and Larchlap Riley and his family are so clearly a bunch of crooks anyway.

Agree 100% per comment, here.

Jun 25, 2015 3:40:52 GMT jno said:

I am not too sure about the domestic violence sub-plot and the ridiculousness of Larchy's sheet going together in one story but somehow it seems to work.

Yes, somehow it works. The only thing, for me anyhow, is that after a while of not seeing this episode, the way my mind recalls it is the one with Larchlap, Tick-Tack, etc, since that is the A plot..for which the episode is named, even. So I always have trouble recalling which episode is the one with Kim Thomson, since it could have been any episode, technically. Still, of late I've been getting more acquainted with the episodes, and their "A" and "B" plots.

Jun 14, 2015 22:30:10 GMT Wynn Chester said:

It always surprises me that this episode isn't amongst the fans fav's...
Tic Tac: "Hello Arthur, hows tricks?"
Arthur: "No idea Tic-Tac, I'm an entrepreneur, not a member of the magic circle..."

Last, but not least, a great line indeed this..as well as Tick-Tack's similar, well delivered one, later on.

[jno]

Superb post denzel!

[gareth]

Just watched this one..

A very good sketch and a quality ending..

What struck me is how the Cockney rhyming slang is altered..

For example in a previous episode GC talks about somebody on the Trombone ( Phone). But on this occasion he talks about “ The Dog”. Which means dog and bone “Telephone”

I wonder if the different connotations of cockney slang altered due to a new script writer?

All the best

GD