Of course I watched and enjoyed the first episode of the new series of ‘The Thick of It’ on BBC on Saturday night. The memsahib professed no interest, which was probably a good thing as the swear words to ordinary words factor was exceptionally high. 

However, overall I was disappointed. In the previous series swearing was highly creative, in this episode far less so, thereby greatly diminishing its comic value. Also, I expected a stronger political intrigue theme rather than the theme of the consequences of a ministerial reshuffle.  Also, I have agree with the ever perceptive Iain Martin, that lampooning Labour is a waste of time. The whole New Labour project and current cast are like Monty Python’s parrot – expired. I hope to see more of the other characters next week, the Malcolm Tucker character rather overwhelmed this week’s episode.

This series doesn’t have the shock value of the earlier series, but there were plenty of rip-snortingly good one-liners. Here are my faves spoken by the Malcolm Tucker character, and my fave from the first series:

“I’ve got a to-do list here longer than a Leonard Cohen song.”

“He’s so dense that light bends round him”

“I’m feeling as up to date as the Gregorian calendar.” [First series]