The Thick Of It: Series 3 (2009)

I haven’t seen Series 1 or 2 of The Thick Of It, but I did catch the 2 specials, and In the Loop (2009), the sort-of movie spin-off and one of the best comedies of the year, so I made sure I didn’t let Series 3 pass me by.

I know it’s a cliché to call the show a British version of The West Wing (one of my top 5 TV series ever), and in some ways The Thick Of It is similar, but it’s really a different beast. The programmes share the same wit and intelligence but Thick has the edge when it comes to satire with a capital Fuck! There was no one like Malcolm Tucker in Yes Minister either.

The dexterity that Peter Capaldi (mostly) and the writers display with their breath-taking explorations of the English language turn sweary insults into art forms. I’ve particularly enjoyed Rebecca Front’s introduction into this series as the new minister for DoSAC, she’s great at giving Malcolm as good as she gets, and equally good at running away to avoid conflict!

I do hope that the real government and civil service is not run in the shambolic manner that Thick depicts. I fear it is though. The series surprised me by making Malcolm into a more human and sympathetic character as it went on, showing his vulnerable side as he’s forced out of the government.

Come the January sales I’ll be hunting down Series 1 and 2 (confusing released as just Series 1) on DVD!