The Thick Of It

I've watched all of this series, and I still don't really like it.

The acting is superb, and the writing is original and clever as you'd expect from Armando Iannucci. The problem is, while I'm listening to the dialogue I'm thinking, "that's clever" or "that's typical Armando Iannucci", I'm not sucked into the story. And often the lines don't sound like the sort of thing the character saying them would say.

The biggest problem is that far too much is invested in Malcolm Tucker's diatribes. These are generally great, but when he does about 15 every episode, they lose their force and can even start to bore. He should be doing this stuff once, maybe twice an episode, so you know it's coming but you don't know when. And they shouldn't be relying on it for laughs, or relying so much on swearing generally. "You're such a fecking twat" works as an ending to the odd scene, but not like one in three scenes.

There's also a mismatch between the realism of the filming style and the extremeness of the characters. They just say really stupid things the whole time, that people in their position wouldn't be stupid enough to say, certainly not that often. I'm not saying no politicians or spin-doctors are stupid, but to get to that position you have to have some level of self control, tact and charm. You can't just look like a cnut the entire time.

Still, it's easily one of the best shows out there, and is generally enjoyable despite my reservations.

The fecking cnuts.
 
It was better before Langham was a pedo cos he balanced out Capaldi...I agree with Plech that it relies to heavily on him now to be truly outstanding ...It's still brilliantly written though. Great show
 
what an episode today - can't wait for the season finale next week
 
i love it, just rewatched the last episode again.

you will see me again. you will fecking see me again.

also, does tucker remind anyone else of david moyes?
 
Mockney said:
It was better before Langham was a pedo cos he balanced out Capaldi...I agree with Plech that it relies to heavily on him now to be truly outstanding ...It's still brilliantly written though. Great show
Click to expand...

The Tory spin doctor and his langham-esque politician were really good charachters, shame they've concentrated so much Tucker really. The old spin doctor was great though. I have a feeling that it will be better served by the odd special rather than another full series.
 
Plechazunga said:
The acting is superb, and the writing is original and clever as you'd expect from Armando Iannucci. The problem is, while I'm listening to the dialogue I'm thinking, "that's clever" or "that's typical Armando Iannucci", I'm not sucked into the story. And often the lines don't sound like the sort of thing the character saying them would say.

The biggest problem is that far too much is invested in Malcolm Tucker's diatribes. These are generally great, but when he does about 15 every episode, they lose their force and can even start to bore. He should be doing this stuff once, maybe twice an episode, so you know it's coming but you don't know when. And they shouldn't be relying on it for laughs, or relying so much on swearing generally. "You're such a fecking twat" works as an ending to the odd scene, but not like one in three scenes.

There's also a mismatch between the realism of the filming style and the extremeness of the characters. They just say really stupid things the whole time, that people in their position wouldn't be stupid enough to say, certainly not that often. I'm not saying no politicians or spin-doctors are stupid, but to get to that position you have to have some level of self control, tact and charm. You can't just look like a cnut the entire time.
Click to expand...

I agree, to an extent. It's a fantastic show, IMO, but it does lack 'something'. I'm not sure why, but they're allowing the show to be driven by Tucker's interludes which, while funny, are a reaction to the overall narrative rather than the narrative itself. That leaves you expecting his introduction into scenes which are ambling along, however implausible that might be. As you say, the swearing is funny, but I can't help feeling that's because I'm an immature potty-mouth, rather than any real impact the diatribes are having. The swearing is being relied on with reference to the context it's being used in, but that ought be the basis for one or two jokes, not half of them.

And as you say, the fact is the characters have been allowed to become catoonish at times, which is a cheap way of getting laughs when you consider the quality of writing they're capable of. If they allowed them to be more realistic and savvy, you can then play for laughs from their inevitable feck ups, whereas now you are pre-empting clusterfecks before they play out in front of you.

Still, it's one of the most enjoyable shows I've watched in a while. Hopefully it comes back next year.
 
Yeah, any news on that?

Brilliant show. Preferred the earlier series with Chris Langham and I think they peaked with the second special - Spinners & Losers but it was still head and shoulders above everyone else on British tv.
 
The only British TV series worth watching of late, superb stuff. I do agree that Season 1 was the best so far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.