Hustle series...er...4? The new one, anyway.

[CovenantJr]

So, two episodes in, what do people think about the absence of Mickey? How well do you think the writers have handled the leadership transition? Is it as good as previous series?

In my opinion, no, it isn't as good. And I've been told that the other series don't match up to the first, which I missed. Having said that, I think the writing has been handled quite well, in that the new cons are in character for Danny. They're less skillful, less well prepared and planned, with more spontaneity. This fits with Danny's way of doing things, and I think it's to the writers' credit that they didn't simply have Danny take over Mickey's way of doing things. Danny's leadership also fits in neatly with the mock leadership contest in a previous series, during which Mickey said Danny had the potential to lead his own crew, but would never rise to the challenge as long as Mickey was around.

The new boy is annoying me though, even after only one episode (since he wasn't in the first episode). His accent, in particular, is that really sloppy accent that makes people sound like they can barely string a sentence together.

I can't help noticing that we have a distinct absence of 'long con' experts at the moment. Danny and the new lad are both 'short con' types, and the others aren't really planners (with the exception of Albert, who's made it clear on many occasions that he doesn't do that anymore).

Thoughts?

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Haven't seen this series, but only the first was any good. Stopped watching after a couple of the 2nd series.

--A

[CovenantJr]

Tonight's episode was probably the best of this series so far. It was one of the Robin Hood episodes; ok, the grifters kept the money, but they hit someone really nasty as a favour to a friend in trouble. I don't expect the feel-good effect from a programme about con artists.

I've been meaning to check out the first series, but my budget won't stretch to that particular luxury at the moment.

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I must say I really like the cinematography in the show. Shot very cleverly.

--A

[CovenantJr]

I've been meaning to check out the first series, but my budget won't stretch to that particular luxury at the moment.

I saw the series one DVDs for a very reasonable price and decided to treat myself.

You know, the new series is actually quite different to the first, and even the second. The change was so gradual I hadn't noticed. And I'd forgotten just how much better it was with Mickey.

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What? He's gone? I definitely won't be bothering with any of the new ones then.

--A

[CovenantJr]

Apparently Hustle has gained a cult following in the States, and Adrian Lester has left to try and pursue a film career there. That means no Mickey - and Danny has taken over as the planning bloke. That reminds me - Danny seems to have been less annoying in the first series. Now, he's distinctly irritating.

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That was the blonde guy right? Haha, he was always irritating I thought.

--A

[CovenantJr]

If you think he was always irritating (which he was) you'd hate him now. There's no end to his cocky Cockney yammering. Yuck.

Still, the Hollywood Sign con and the Wine/House con were pretty good. The one last week was just weird though - it was all to do with the Yakuza and the grifters being out-grifted by a small child. Bad stuff.

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Running out of ideas probably.

It's always a toss-up between letting series end while they're good, or just dragging them out until they suck. The latter seems to be chosen more and more often though.

--A

[CovenantJr]

It's a shame. I would have liked to see Hustle go out with a bang - some really big and complex con. Never mind, eh? *sigh*

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Yeah, maybe which ended with them all in Jail or something...just for a change.

--A