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Post by Arthur Pringle on Oct 28, 2020 18:01:50 GMT
Last night's Budgie was about a greyhound, a popular subject for comedy dramas, Minder & Prospects both had episodes about them & there's Steptoe And Son Ride Again.
Here's some publicity stills including one of Charles Endell without his syrup-
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Post by Steve Austin on Oct 28, 2020 20:35:26 GMT
** Contains spoliers **
Without Ian Cuthbertson, this would be unwatchable. Budgie has no redeeming qualities at all (he's no Del Boy or Arthur Daley); he's awful to Hazel, a poor father, is a terrible conman/thief/wideboy and when it all goes wrong (which it always does), he looks to Charlie to help him out.
Last night's episode spent the first 14 minutes arguing between Budgie & Hazel, he could have said the guest was a dog at the beginning but this was painfully dragged out and when the greyhound was brought in there was no surprise or comedy value to it. I was going to turn over but luckily Charlie Endell appeared in the next scene thankfully.
I must admit that this series has been a painful watch for me which is disappointing as I so wanted to like it.
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Oct 28, 2020 20:46:01 GMT
** Contains spoliers ** Without Ian Cuthbertson, this would be unwatchable. I thought the same. Might have better if they gave Faith better lines. Sweeney works well as the characters all get entertaining lines.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Oct 28, 2020 22:12:58 GMT
With Steve on this. Not an Adam Faith fan personally and Charlie was easily the best thing in it. I thought the later 1979/80 series, Charles Endell Esquire where he was on his own was much better
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Oct 28, 2020 23:43:19 GMT
Yes, the first half at least of last night's episode was just Budgie shouting at & bullying Hazel for no good reason. Having said that it was probably an accurate portrayal of an abusive, co-dependent relationship. Playing devil's advocate you could argue that Budgie isn't the typical nasty piece of work, his appearance & cockney 'charm' disguises his abusive behaviour, in other words he's more complex than a Bill Sykes type.
The rhyming slang, cockney banter & Endell's insults are good but the script is surprisingly weak considering Waterhouse & Hall are noted writers. Compared to an average Minder episode, which usually contain several witty lines for Arthur, the dialogue isn't that memorable.
It's a hit & miss show for sure, the episode only really got good when the threat of Budgie getting his legs broken came, they should've spent more time on this aspect of the story rather than all the silliness with the dog messing the carpet. I get the impression though that this is not what interested the writers as there's very little action in the show.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Oct 29, 2020 11:44:09 GMT
I've just finished And The Lord Taketh Away (Series two, episode 2) * Contains spoilers *Budgie leaves prison and goes back to Watford and his wife, telling Charlie there are no hard feelings. Charlie has other ideas though A solid episode that, as so often, mixes pathos and comedy Budgie can never escape his fate although this is the first time we've seen Charlie go to such lengths to ensure he retains control of Budgie Great support from Gordon Jackson as a dodgy vicar, and James Bolam back as Wossname Georgina Hale steals the show again though There's one very disturbing scene where Budgie seems to hit Jean, certainly pulls her hair, and which hints at a degree of physical domestic abuse in Jean and Budgie's relationship 4/5 Without Ian Cuthbertson, this would be unwatchable. Budgie has no redeeming qualities at all (he's no Del Boy or Arthur Daley); he's awful to Hazel, a poor father, is a terrible conman/thief/wideboy and when it all goes wrong (which it always does), he looks to Charlie to help him out. I wouldn't go that far Steve He's as much victim as anything - just lazy, feckless and dim witted, so easy prey for the likes of Charlie. On the flipside he is extremely likeable and charming, and not evil
The truly monstrous character in Budgie is Charlie Endell who has no qualms about using people, and inflicting terrible violence.
What makes it so watchable for me is the dynamic between the two of them
I think Adam Faith is a remarkable screen presence - very charismatic
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Nov 12, 2020 18:43:14 GMT
Louie the Ring Is Dead and Buried in Kensal Green Cemetery - Series 2 Episode 3
Just watched this episode. I'm beginning to see how the series ran out of steam and didn't last beyond two series. It's starting to feel a bit formulaic.
*Minor spoilers ahead*
Inexplicably Hazel goes back to Budgie and quickly regrets it.
The scam Budgie gets involved in is clearly too complicated for his abilities but he never learns does he?
Charlie, as always, ends up quids in.
3/5
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Post by Ronnie Kray on Nov 16, 2020 8:53:56 GMT
great reviews again Dirty and loved the pictures Arthur
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Nov 17, 2020 22:31:44 GMT
Tonight's episode 'The Outside Man' went beyond the usual comedy into implausibility. Did I miss something or were we supposed to accept that the police didn't know 'tranny' is short for 'transistor radio' & secondly how did Budgie & the copper he got drunk with a few episodes earlier not recognise each other?
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Nov 19, 2020 14:36:09 GMT
I have found the portrayal of the police during series two at odds with the general depiction of the drama in Budgie itself. I don't get why the writers went for having the police look total morons amongst the more realistic setting of an operating villains lifestyle. An odd combination indeed In this episode for instance you have the real life drama of Budge trying to nick a living but the keystone cop comedy angle of the police and the informant for that matter is odd and not in keeping with what's going on. A glaring omission was the fact that Budgie had a near miss with Constable Leadbetter a few episodes ago in the jumping up scam. How did they not recognise each other at Epsom ? Both episodes could have been top notch instead of the farce angle which is a shame because they're good stories at the heart of it . I've read elsewhere opinion that Budgie was a good forerunner for Minder and other similar shows. The same M.O from Ron Bird can be seen in the likes of Daley and Trotter, all being Londoners making their living on the edge of the law. I'm sure the writers involved in the later honed the Budgie blueprint and knew that by addressing some of the points we raised they would have a hit. Budgie would certainly be a gift for the likes of Leon Daniels and John Sullivan. All in all Budgie is a really good series despite the above and as a first time viewer I still enjoy tuning in every week.
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