Wednesday 19 June 2019

A Comedy On This Day: Citizen Smith - Prisoners (20 June 1980)


 This final series does feel rather exhausted, and as though it doesn't really seem to know what it’s about or why it exists anymore. There isn't much comedy derived from the small beer revolutionary movement this episode, with an extremely familiar storyline of escaped convicts taking shelter in the heroes' home.

 Naturally, the chief villain is a menacing angry Glaswegian, with a towering physique and scar, downing litres of whiskey neat from the bottle. The most engaging moments derive from Wolfie's attempts at showing an aggressive stance towards him:
WOLFIE: Are you deaf as well as ugly? You think you're tough don't you? Come down 'ere from the Mull of Kintyre with your Stepney boxing glove! Well, let me tell you something, sunshine. You're nothing, you're fourth division. We ain't scared of you mate. These boys look scared? Eh?

(Shot of two of the friends cowering behind cushions)

 This conflict doesn't end well for Wolfie, but at least it's created one of the series' better moments of his leadership abilities being put to the test.

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