Hustle

[Norma Wisdom]

I came across Hustle 'by accident' a year or so back - and found myself really enjoying it. I caught up with it by getting the dvds; but from the first episode of the current series - I felt that the plots were coming too samey and certainly less satisfying. I actually fell asleep before the end of episodes 3 and 4.

I still find Albert and Ash the most endearing - but the loss of Mickey Stone/Bricks has taken away a lot of the 'edge' for me.

Ashley Walters (as the new character Billy) takes being laconic just a little too far - and strays into the territory of 'dull'.

As for the lovely Stacie; her lips appear to inflate with each episode - now there's an idea - for the next series - since cosmetic surgery is surely the biggest con of all?

[smudge]

Last night's episode was appalling - amazingly dull. The writing has changed a lot this series, since Adrian Lester left. Danny's character is even more irritating and it's barely credible that he was allowed to become leader of the outfit so easily, particularly when Ash is on hand. Last night Stacie used language on two occasions which I thought was very much out of character.



Trouble is, as you say, there are only so many con plots you can run. This season they've had two 'Robin Hood' scenarios back-to-back ; the care home woman and the corrupt cahrity hostess. Things are starting to look a bit thin...



Smudge

[Norma Wisdom]

It's not just me then, Smudge! I agree totally about Danny - his 'leadership' defies logic - but then I suppose that creates the climate for plots such as the one last night (dismal). Whilst okay in very small doses, his gurning, wide-boy routine gets ever more annoying.

I was also taken aback by Stacie's language - especially the 'swinging dick' comment. The whole thing about her is that she is a LADY - no matter how angry or under pressure. Elements such as this - make me think that they must be using different writers - or that the original ones are suffering from 'writer's block'.

If Adrian Lester does not return AND if the writing does not improve - I think this show has had its day - and should be aid to rest. I'd also like the BBC come up with a better vehicle for Robert Glenister's talents.

[Tony Pendrey]

I agree with all the comments made, particularly with regard to just how many con, double-con etc scenarios you can have.



Although this 3rd series lacks a lot of the sparkle of the earlier stuff, when you compare it to the usual pony churned out by the programme makers .... well ....



200 hours of Graham Norton or one hour of Robert Vaughan & co.

[image45]

Nothing last's for ever sadly!

[Hanseat]

Although this 3rd series lacks a lot of the sparkle of the earlier stuff, when you compare it to the usual pony churned out by the programme makers .... well ....

Too true. Still, with Hustle is was something of a slow but steady decline through the series, as is so often the case with exceptional new concepts. The intruiging visual effects were the first to go (too expensive?); but at least the scripts retained most of their wit and deviousness - until now. As Tony Jordan is still the main writer, my guess would be that the shift away from quirkyness towards repetitive sameness is due to the fact that Hustle is by now quite obviously produced with the American market in mind (apparently, series 5 has just been commissioned and will contain even more episodes set in the US and/or featuring American actors).



As much as I like the idea of my favourite programmes going on forever, sometimes "die young, stay pretty" is the better way - Life on Mars understood this better than most. Especially when one of the main character leaves, thus inevitably and fundamentally changing the whole dynamic of the programme. And actors leaving because their characters and the scripts have become somewhat dull and predictable should be taken as a major sign that it is time to pull the plug ... introducing, instead, a new character played by a former rapper in the vain hope to attract a younger audience, on the other hand, usually turns out to be a bad move.

[Husky]

OK, so it has more holes than plot (and the main 'delayed stock price info' scam from last night's season opener is familiar from countless programmes and films), but just let Hustle wash over you and it's a great antidote to these gloomy times.



I'm just a little concerned that the new Eastenders bloke is going to find Marc Warren a hard act to follow.



Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[cully]

At the end, I didn't follow how the girl and her brother knew they had to pretend to be dead...

[Husky]

At the end, I didn't follow how the girl and her brother knew they had to pretend to be dead...

I think we were supposed to infer that when Ash and Mickey grabbed each of them, pretending to threaten them, and passed them the bags of fake blood, they told them to play dead when 'shot'. But hey, don't analyse it, just go with the flow

[cully]

I think we were supposed to infer that when Ash and Mickey grabbed each of them, pretending to threaten them, and passed them the bags of fake blood, they told them to play dead when 'shot'. But hey, don't analyse it, just go with the flow

Thanks, Husky!

[davidb]

does anyone else enjoy this on thursday nights ? i think theyre making this current series up as they go along .theres no end to the gangs talents ,tonight they built a false wall in a art museum , suppose they can always get a job on a building site if the "grifting" business goes belly up .silly but enjoyable all the same .

[smudge]

Yes - far weaker than the previous series up to now, and the abscence of Robert Vaughn doesn't help. Hoever, as you say, quite fun still and ridiculously easy to watch....



Smudge

[davidb]

its like an old itc series ,they have no limits on resources or capabilities and its only villains who they target . even robert vaughn is in it ,the protectors was itc wasnt it ? good escapist fun though



tim mcinnery was a crooked judge in the one ive just seen ,how hes changed .didnt realise who he was till about half way through

[Freddy]

Hustle returns this Friday, by all accounts this will be the last series, or according to RT they are taking a rest and possibly a new gang might take over in the future.

[captainhaddock]

eds bar will for the first time ever go into profit when the grifters finish their tenure at the end of this series
i dont know why he puts up with them
or why double crossed villians dont steam in there with all guns blazing

i also dont know who is dafter
me for watching it
or them for offering it up as entertainment

[Freddy]

eds bar will for the first time ever go into profit when the grifters finish their tenure at the end of this series
i dont know why he puts up with them
or why double crossed villians dont steam in there with all guns blazing

i also dont know who is dafter
me for watching it
or them for offering it up as entertainment

Same here, it's a couple of series too much now, looking tired and jaded, sometimes it appears the 'team' don't want to be there either.

[mariocki]

Friday's episode about the stolen Picasso was just dreadful - the 'plot' just didn't add up at all. Well past it's sell-by date I'm afraid.

[captainhaddock]

i love it how there is just someone on hand who can knock out the occasional forged picasso
in this case sheila hancock
if crime was this easy everybody would be doing it
it is a few series too long now
and past its best long ago

[mrs_emma_peel]

I'm presently watching the 3rd series of Hustle on the Sony TV Channel ... and thoughly enjoying it ... the presence of the gorgeous Jaime Murray (Stacie Monroe) and excellent Marc Warren made the Hustle team much stronger ... I think the series was definitely weakened when Jaime and Marc left the show.
Emma

[ChuckEddie]

I'm presently watching the 3rd series of Hustle on the Sony TV Channel ... and thoughly enjoying it ... the presence of the gorgeous Jaime Murray (Stacie Monroe) and excellent Marc Warren made the Hustle team much stronger ... I think the series was definitely weakened when Jaime and Marc left the show.
Emma

I believe Jaime is involved in an episode of the final series.