TV Review: The Thick of It: Coalition - Episode 1
It was a long time coming, but everyone’s favourite political comedy (I loathe the word satire) is back, and it was worth the wait.
rating: 4.5
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Well, it was a long time coming, but everyones favourite political comedy (I loathe the word satire) is back, and it was worth the wait. Perhaps it was my fault for expecting to see Malcolm Tucker and the now-opposition that I didnt think of it as a total classic, but it was absolutely hilarious. Nothing has changed- the writing is just as sharp, the performances and dialogue just as memorable, and we still have total idiots in control both on-screen and off. Perhaps it was my fault for expected some fluent Scottish profanity in a series with the subtitle Coalition. But this is just a niggle- It made me wish wed seen more of this undisclosed party in previous series and In The Loop. What could have been a clichéd plot, with an attempt to get comment on politicians desperately trying and failing to get in touch with technology and the youth culture, was genius. The awkward rinsing of Peter Mannion by Rajesh Raj (not an easy name in comparison with Charlotte) will go down for me as one of the series best moments- we see this on a daily basis, and seeing it realised in a work of fiction so perfectly makes it all the funnier. Peter Mannion totally stood out, with his wince-inducing excuse to the press he was recycling a half bottle of champagne in the middle of the day for his 30th wedding anniversary. In comparison to the comedy gold happening outside of the office, the feckless bickering and (Silicon) playground politics from within doSAC played second banana, but it was not particularly noticeable and didnt detract from proceedings- in fact, some of the best lines came from the drones fighting within the realms of bureaucracy. It felt at times like a French farce of the best sort, and the machine gun dialogue reminds you there isnt a better-written comedy in Britain at the moment. It was all a welcome change of direction, and everyone I hadnt thought much of in previous series seriously impressed me now the limelight was on them, like Will Smiths snivelling Phil. Basically, it was all as top-calibre as ever, feeling at times like something separate from The Thick of It, but just as good- that is a compliment, though it may not sound like it. I predict some very interesting power relationships and fresh angles to familiar cock-ups in the coming weeks So, a classic opener that let no one down and will probably have surprised quite a few new-comers as well as the initiated. Though there was never any doubt of that. And we have the ****ing pleasure of Malcolm Tuckers ****ing return next ****ing week, so thats something to enjoy, you ****s! My heart sings that we have 6 more episodes to enjoy- with the changing political climate, I have sorely missed The Thick of It, and with an opener this fantastic, its a shame this is the last series. Now, if youll excuse me, Ive had enough of this, Im getting a Twix