Minder (TV Series)

''Minder'' is a British comedy-drama series about the London criminal underworld. Initially produced by Verity Lambert, it was made by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television, and shown on ITV for ten series between 1979 and 1994. The series was notable for using a range of leading British actors, as well as many up-and-coming performers before they found their greatest success; at its peak it was one of ITV's most watched shows. The series was revived by Channel 5 in 2009 but was discontinued after only six episodes.

Plot

The first seven series starred Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, a Fulham fan, an honest and likeable bodyguard (''minder'' in London slang) and George Cole as Arthur Daley, a socially ambitious, but highly unscrupulous importer/exporter, wholesaler, used-car salesman and purveyor of anything else from which there was money to be made, legally or not.

The series is principally set in inner west London (specifically Shepherd's Bush, Ladbroke Grove, Fulham and Acton), and was largely responsible for introducing the word minder, meaning personal bodyguard, into the UK popular lexicon. The characters often drank at the local members-only Winchester Club, where owner and barman Dave Harris (Glynn Edwards) acted, often unwillingly, as a messenger for Arthur, and turned a blind eye to his shady deals.

Like many British sitcoms, the show is set within a certain social class, in this case working class west London. It shares strong similarities with ''Only Fools and Horses'' and ''Steptoe and Son'' in the sense that much of the storyline revolves around a dysfunctional, co-dependent relationship between the two protagonists.

Series 1–7

Although initially developed to focus on Terry's character, as the series progressed, the focus shifted to feature Terry and Arthur more evenly, with more screen time allotted to Arthur and his dealings. Barman Dave Harris at first made only occasional appearances, but the rapport between Arthur, Terry and Dave also become popular and by the second series he too was given more screen time. In Series 7, the final series to feature Dennis Waterman as Terry and thus the last to feature the original opening credits, the sequence was modified very slightly to include shots of Terry, Arthur and Dave at the Winchester, giving Edwards his own billing rather than among the guest cast.

Series 8–10

In 1989, after filming the seventh series, Waterman announced he had left the programme, feeling that the character had run its course and that it was becoming harder for the writers to come up with plots as sharp as had been customary in the earlier series. This seemed to signify the end, but the series made another return in 1991, with another character replacing Terry. Waterman's final broadcast episode, Series 7's coincidentally titled "The Wrong Goodbye", had closed as a standard episode, filmed before Waterman announced his departure and so with no clue as to Terry's forthcoming departure. In the opening episode of series 8, "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Entrepreneur", Arthur finds Terry had married and emigrated to Australia (despite his criminal background making the likelihood of emigration almost impossible) to finally escape Arthur's influence. At the same time, he is stuck with looking after his nephew Ray Daley ( Gary Webster), at the request of Arthur's brother, to give him employment and keep him out of trouble.

With Terry off the scene, local undesirables start to muscle in on Arthur, but it soon emerges that Ray is able to handle himself in a fight, and indeed in a tight situation, and Arthur appoints him his new "minder". Ray was portrayed as smarter, having a well-expressed intelligence and basic education (O Level French and woodwork) as well as being able to fight (instances of which, by this stage, were far less frequent and far less graphic than seen in the show's early episodes). He was also a snappy dresser, typically seen in designer suits, and not a heavy drinker, usually seen sipping mineral water or a soft drink. Ray did not have a regular car and was usually lumbered with the beaten up old blue Ford Transit van from Arthur's lockup.

The original theme tune was replaced by a rock-style instrumental version, credited to "Kenny" (Gerard Kenny). By this stage, the grittier elements of the early series had been toned down, concentrating instead on the comedic aspects of Arthur's dodgy dealings. Waterman praised Gary Webster for fitting into the series, but remained vocal in his comments that the series was no longer about a "minder", and that the revamped version should go under a different title, reflecting its orientation almost solely around Arthur.

Other new characters in this revamped version were Sidney Livingstone (who had previously appeared as casino bouncer in the episode, "You Lose Some, You Win Some") as Bert Daley, Arthur's gullible, over-trusting brother (and Ray's father), who views Arthur as a successful businessman rather than a con man, and entrusts Ray into his care; Bert's wife and Ray's mum, Doreen (Lill Roughley); and Ray's recurring girlfriend Gloria (Emma Cunningham), who is frustrated with Ray being torn between her and Arthur. The new police nemeses were Detective Sergeant Michael Morley ( Nick Day), and D.C. Park (Stephen Tompkinson) in series 8, who in turn, was replaced by D.C. Field (Jonty Stephens) in series 9.

The end of the final episode of Series 10, "The Long Good Thursday", saw Arthur, along with Ray, Dave and crazy prisoner, Frankie (Matthew Scurfield), finally being caught and driven away in a police convoy. In a final monologue over closing credits, Arthur was bemused, citing himself as a hardworking, upstanding citizen. The following week, a repeat showing of the first episode, "Gunfight at the O.K. Laundrette" (slightly edited for its pre-watershed start) was broadcast. Cole made an opening introduction, saying he had been asked to choose his favourite episode, but "all were of such quality that he could not". He closed with "Goodbye... for now", hinting that he or the show may return.

Series 11

In 2009, ''Minder'' resumed on Channel 5 after a 15-year break. The first episode of the six-part series was broadcast on 4 February. The makers emphasised that it was a revival rather than a remake.

The show focused on Arthur's nephew Archie, played by Shane Richie, and a new minder, Jamie Cartwright, played by Lex Shrapnel. Channel 5 stated that there were no plans for Cole, Waterman or Webster to reprise their roles. The series was produced by Talkback Thames.

In the weeks leading up to the new series, Channel 5 launched a national advertising campaign to promote the show's return. These featured a series of adverts on television and billboards. Other promotions included advertisements on taxi receipts, a social networking campaign and branded beer mats, all designed to attract the young male audience Channel 5 was targeting. Although a Christmas episode was initially planned and announced ahead of the intended second series, due to poor ratings Channel 5 did not commission either.

Cast and characters

Terry McCann

Terry is a former professional boxer who has served time in Wormwood Scrubs ("two years for GBH and three for attempted robbery" according to a police sergeant in the first episode, "Gunfight at the OK Laundrette", although other episodes slightly contradict this and the overall details are often quite vague), having served a substantial term because he would not become an informant against his co-accused. With few options, Terry is employed as Arthur's "minder" on vague and ungenerous terms, with it often being hinted that Arthur has manipulated him into this job, and indeed is seen to continue to manipulate Terry throughout the character's run in the series, despite Terry often attempting to find other means of employment and break free from Arthur's control (the later feature-length special "An Officer and a Car Salesman", which leads into Series 7, Terry's last stint in the series, begins with Terry once again inside, this time after being caught with some of Arthur's dodgy merchandise). In Terry and Arthur's final episode "The Wrong Goodbye", it is suggested that one of Terry's prison terms was taken in place of Arthur and explains why Arthur and Terry have a deep bond, though casts Arthur's treatment of Terry in far less flattering light.

In the title sequence, Arthur is shown meeting Terry at the prison gates following his release. He drives a white Ford Capri (though is sometimes seen driving a copper-coloured Capri in some episodes, and a silver Capri in several others). Terry enjoys a drink but usually responsibly, does not smoke and has an eye for the ladies. Despite his incarceration, he is honest, trustworthy and loyal, particularly to Arthur, although the scrapes that Arthur lands him in make him wonder why. He is intelligent and streetwise enough to disperse situations that his role as minder often lands himself, and Arthur or those around him, in, although at the same time is seen not to be strong willed enough to break free of Arthur's often devious ways of keeping their working relationship in place.

Indeed, it is Terry's romantic interests who are far less impressed with Arthur's hold on Terry and frequently suggest that he should break free from Arthur and start making his own path in life (often as a precursor to a deeper relationship). Arthur sees these women as a threat to his workforce and is not averse to breaking up any relationship which may interfere in Terry's availability. While Terry resents this, he is also commitment shy and resists attempts to settle down often, which Arthur exploits through a thinly veiled desire for him to be independent of women.

Arthur Daley

Arthur Edward Daley is a mid-level professional criminal of mature years, a minor con man eternally involved in dodgy dealings and usually seen puffing Castella Panatella cigars. In the series 3 episode "In", a German police officer reading Arthur's file reveals that Arthur served 18 months in prison during the 1950s but does not reveal the reason. In early episodes he is depicted as more cunning and streetwise, as well as showing an interest in young women. Later his character is softened, becoming more of a cowardly con man than an outright villain and almost prudish about young women. Arthur's exact age is never stated, although in SE02 E06 it is stated that he began his National Service in the British Army in 1949, placing his year of birth around 1931 (George Cole being born in 1925).

Arthur typically drives an upmarket car; the Jaguar XJ6 being the vehicle the character is most associated with. In the early episodes he drives a 4.2 Series II XJ6. In the latter part of Series 3, Arthur has changed over to a silver Mercedes 280E and in Series 4 he drives a Portland beige Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Series III. Series 7 again sees Arthur driving a silver Jaguar XJ6. As a used-car salesman, Arthur occasionally makes use of other cars. In the Series 3 episode "Broken Arrow", he uses a Ford Granada Mk.II. However, due to an accident, this car has to be repaired and Arthur is forced to borrow a friend's customised Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray that he is trying to sell. Also in Series 3, Arthur uses a brown Jaguar XJR in the episodes "Dead Men Do Tell Tales" and "Looking for Micky". In the Series 7 episode "It's a Sorry Lorry, Morrie", Arthur is down on his luck and has to resort to driving a clapped-out mustard yellow Ford Granada Mk.II. In the episode "A Nice Little Wine" Daley drives, in order to test, a pale blue Rover SD1. In the special episode " An Officer and a Car Salesman", Arthur has moved up in the world and drives a yellow Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. In the later Ray Webster era, he then has a silver Jaguar XJ40.

He survives by his wiles and self-belief, and exploits everyone around him, especially Terry. He is always trying to make extra money, which he often describes as a "nice little earner", and his schemes usually backfire and leave him either in debt to local underworld figures, or with his activities coming under the scrutiny of the police, or occasionally a combination of the two - with Terry ultimately being left to sort out the mess and get him out of trouble. Arthur thinks of himself as an "entrepreneur", but his tailored three-piece suits, Jaguar and social affectations do not disguise his working class origins. Arthur tests Terry's patience with dishonest and doomed schemes to make money, then uses his cunning to persuade Terry to stay with him. In the same way, Arthur manipulates friends such as Dave, the barman (and part owner with Arthur) of the private, downmarket, Winchester Club. Most episodes depict Arthur losing or only just breaking even as the result of some scheme going wrong. However, Arthur owns various businesses outright or is a part-owner as well as partner with Dave in the Winchester, and he also seems to own various rental properties.

Arthur refers to his wife, who never appeared, as "'Er indoors", the implication being that she is a fierce and formidable woman. Arthur is not above bending the law and sometimes attracts the attention of the police. Despite Terry's own prison sentence, with an additional oblique reference to "minor misdemeanours in the dim and distant past", he serves as the show's moral conscience, keeping Arthur from straying too far outside the law and persuading him to do the right thing whether Arthur likes it or not. The name Arthur Daley has become synonymous with a dishonest salesman or small-time crook.

With Arthur's dodgy schemes, the duo encounters undesirable underworld figures, many of whom Arthur deals with and many of whom turn nasty, leaving Terry to fight and outwit their way out of trouble. But for all Arthur's obsession with get-rich-quick schemes, he is never malicious, usually simply being blinded by greed, and the pair often end up putting some other wrong right or helping others in need or who have been done wrong by, even if it proves to be the hindrance to Arthur's latest scheme fully succeeding. Most of Arthur's schemes fail in the end, owing to his greed, but he does occasionally have minor victories and puts one over on the law or more serious criminals.

Arthur's favourite drink was a large vodka and tonic, which was referred to as a "large V.A.T", a wordplay on Value Added Tax (the UK tax on sales).

Ray Daley

After Terry leaves, Arthur is persuaded by his brother Bert to give his son Ray a job. Ray is only a few years out of school, reasonably well educated, but directionless and on the fringes of dodgy company (mostly those he went to school with). He is appointed Arthur's "minder" and proves well able to handle the job, although he is also keen to "get into tie-wearing activities". To this end, he finds himself carrying out a wide range of jobs, from car mechanic ('The Immaculate Contraption') to barge navigation ('The Cruel Canal') and satellite dish installation ('The Roof of all Evil'). Unlike Terry before him, Ray has no police record but that does not stop him being apprehended by police, and Arthur has to talk them into letting him go ('Cars and Pints and Pains'). Ray is a snappy dresser, typically seen in designer suits, and not a heavy drinker, usually seen sipping mineral water or a "Saint Clements" (orange and lemon). Ray does not initially have a drivers licence but can handle most vehicles, including the beaten up old blue Ford Transit van from Arthur's lock-up. Like Terry, he has an eye for the ladies but the affairs are usually short. He eventually moves in with Gloria, a professional photographer, but she is frustrated to be playing second fiddle to Ray's sense of duty to Arthur's welfare.

Dave Harris

Dave is a childhood friend, part owner (with Arthur) and barman of the local, members-only Winchester Club. Arthur and Terry regularly drink there and Dave acts, often unwillingly, as a message service for Arthur, and turns a blind eye to the shady deals being arranged by the patrons. As a counsel and resource of last resort, he on occasion helps Arthur and Terry get out of tight spots through offering advice, money, space at the Winchester to store items or people and reluctantly, personal information through a brother-in-law working in the police.

With a trading licence to maintain, he is a wise character keeping the delicate balance of a legitimate private members' drinking establishment and a safe space for the local villains to congregate. Frequently given first refusal on Arthur's dodgy merchandise, he has been offered cars, watches, toast, clothing and various consumer goods.

Various episodes give snippets of his home life, including his wife Lucy (whose only appearance is in Series 7, episode 2, "Days of Fines and Closures"), daughter Naomi (mentioned in Series 2, episode 10 "The Old School Tie" ), and a dead dog. In a promotional video called 'Number' made for UK Premium Bonds, where both Dennis Waterman and Glynn Edwards reprise their roles as Terry McCann and Dave 'the barman', Dave is referred to as 'Mr Edwards' and not Harris.

Police adversaries

Given the nature of Arthur's activities and Terry's criminal past, they were always in the spotlight of the local police and crossed paths with several regular and occasional characters:

DS Albert Chisholm; Detective Sergeant Albert "Cheerful Charlie" Chisholm (played by Patrick Malahide) made a brief appearance in the first episode and appeared in another 23 episodes in the first six series. Chisholm frequently arrested Arthur, but was not clever enough to make charges stick. Beginning in Series 3 he was accompanied by:

DC/DS "Taff" Jones; (played by Meic Povey) made his first appearance in Episode 3, "The Smaller They Are". Rycott previously had a "spot of bother", which prevented him from rising through the ranks, although he later became a detective sergeant. A lone figure, not afraid of violent situations and more than willing to do a bit of "freelance" work, he was frequently on the edge of a nervous attack as Arthur slipped through his fingers. Rycott appeared in another 14 episodes up to the end of Series 7. His regular assistant was:

DC Melish; (Michael Troughton). DC Melish was, like DC Jones, mainly amused at Arthur's activities.

Many episodes in the first seven series featured either Chisholm and Jones or Rycott and Mellish, and the two pairs sometimes appeared together, emphasising the professional rivalry between them, much to the annoyance of their superior officer, Detective (Chief) Inspector Norton (Tony Caunter). This rivalry reached fever pitch in the episode "Around the Corner" (which closed Series 5) when all four officers, in two cars, crashed head-on while attempting to arrest Arthur and Terry. DI Norton's subsequent comments were scathing. Although Norton's appearances were always brief, they demonstrated the personal nature of Chisholm's and Rycott's campaigns. In the Series 6 episode "From Fulham with Love" Norton appears for less than a minute, but spends that entire appearance denouncing Chisholm for his "personal vendetta against Arthur Daley".

In the feature-length episode " An Officer and a Car Salesman" that preceded series 7, Chisholm was written out (he was seen to have taken a job as a security officer), and Jones was promoted to DS. Although he took over the probing of Arthur's plots, he was less hell-bent on nabbing him, finding most of Arthur's schemes humorous.

New police officers appeared from Series 8:

DS Michael Morley; ( Nicholas Day). DS Michael Morley was also a highly driven officer, but tempered with a sense of humour that Chisholm lacked. He also failed to make charges against Arthur stand up in court. His assistants were:

DC Park; (Stephen Tompkinson). DC Johnny Park was openly amused at Arthur and Ray's activities, but knew his duty; as did

DC Field; (Jonty Stephens). DC Field was a conscientious officer but he occasionally did Arthur a "good turn";

DS Rogerson; (James Warrior). DS Richard Rogerson was a loyal and tenacious "old school" officer. On occasion he even assisted Ray to prove that Arthur was innocent of police charges.

Other characters

Arthur's world was mainly populated by petty crooks, fellow minders, dropouts, "tea leaves", "fences" and those happy to quickly turn over dodgy goods, usually (but not always) without violence. Characters that Arthur would interact with regarding his various dodgy dealings included such characters, often memorably named, as fellow car dealer Wally West, Jewish travel agent-cum-undertaker Monty Wiseman, "Dirty 'Arry", eternally glum "Mournful Morris", drunk former surgeon "Incapable", "Self Inflicted Sid", "Freddy, the Fly", "Scotch Harry", "Maltese Tony", "Smudger Harris", a forger of variable talent, unrelated man-with-a-van "Pongo Harris", "Dipso Pete" and "Oily Wragg" (played by Pete Postlethwaite).

Recurring characters included Des (George Layton) (series 1–3), a back-street mechanic friend of Terry's who was friendly and likable, but not beyond car theft when called for; professional gambler Maurice Michaelson (Anthony Valentine) (series 1–2), kind-hearted stripper Debbie Mitchell (Diana Malin) and air stewardess Penny (Gennie Nevinson), both recurring girlfriends of Terry's; Ray Winstone as mechanic Arnie (series 4–7, conceived as a replacement for George Layton's Des, and as dim as Des was sharp); and wide boy Justin James (Mark Farmer) (series 5–7), who idolised Arthur and aspired to be like him, seeing him as a kind of godfather. Royce Mills also starred as Arthur's financial adviser, Andrew, whose character appeared in a number of episodes across several series.

As the series progressed, the guest stars became more prestigious, including Derek Jacobi as criminal Freddy Fenton, Brian Glover as Arthur's old army buddy Yorkie, Suzi Quatro as Terry's singer girlfriend Nancy, and Michael Kitchen as "Maltese Tony". Later series starring Cole and Waterman featured Billy Connolly playing Tick-Tack, a bookie and grifter, Brian Blessed as corrupt police officer DI Dyer, Ian McShane as gangster Jack Last, Roy Kinnear as "Fat Charlie" and Andrew Sachs as Sidney.

Indeed, the show gave roles to young actors who have since achieved considerable fame including Brian Cox, Steve McFadden, Peter Capaldi and Bill Nighy.

Arthur frequently mentioned his wife, who was never named or seen and referred to as "'Er indoors" (Ray would refer to her as "Auntie" in the later series). However, an out-of-focus photograph of bride and groom can be seen in the background of one early episode ('Bury my Half at Waltham Green') in Arthur's flat. Their children are occasionally mentioned in passing but no specific details are ever confirmed.

Rula Lenska, who was married to Dennis Waterman, played a number of roles in the show.

2009 revival characters

Archibald "Archie" Daley is the main character in the 2009 revival. It is never specified whether Archie is related to Arthur or not,but in one scene in the final episode,Archie says "If my uncle Arthur could see me now!" In the specially filmed trailer for the upcoming series, Archie mentions his " Uncle Arthur". Like Arthur, he is a "wide" businessman, who likes expensive clothing and cars although his tastes are less traditional. Archie tries to get involved in many types of enterprises usually unsuccessfully. Archie is getting divorced from his wife Delilah at the start of the series, but appears to have no children. He seems to have no qualms about having affairs.

Jamie Cartwright is a newly qualified black cab driver, who is good at defending himself. He is less of a womaniser than either Terry or Ray, but still fancies himself as a ladies' man. He is the "minder" in this version. His Hackney cab is a major feature in many of the plots.

Petra Bennett is a pub land lady. In the first episode of the revival, Archie calls on Jamie to try and get her to sell up for a development organised by an acquaintance of Archie's. However, they soon come over to her side after her pub is torched. The bar is refitted at Archie's expense and renamed the Winchester. Petra is perhaps the equivalent of Dave from the previous series, but is on better terms with Jamie than Archie.It Is implied that she is the daughter of Dave Harris.

Production

Development

''Minder'' was devised by writer Leon Griffiths as a vehicle for Dennis Waterman after his success in ''The Sweeney''. George Cole's wheeler-dealer character is almost secondary, with Arthur assigning Terry a new "minding" job in each episode. A number of early episodes focus on Terry in such assignments, with Arthur remaining in the background. However, as the comedy potential of Cole's dodgy-dealing character emerged, as well as the successful on-screen pairing of Waterman and Cole (which proved to be one of the series' most popular elements), the emphasis increasingly focused more on Arthur's exploits, and by a few series into the show's life, typical plots revolved more around Arthur's latest shady scams instead of some of the more "gritty" plots of Terry's minding jobs.

Despite its eventual success, ''Minder'' was a slow burner, not helped by being delayed by a technicians' strike which forced most of the ITV network off the air for eleven weeks in mid-1979. In the light of initially poor viewing figures, management at Thames were intent on scrapping the show but managing director Bryan Cowgill persuaded them to commission one further series and repeat the first. Both attracted much larger audiences and by series 3, the show had become a major hit, and at its peak was often cited as the "jewel in ITV's Drama crown".

Storylines

The tone of the programme in series one and two, and much of series three, mixed poignant drama and action sequences with offbeat comic moments, and many of these tales had a grittier feel to them than the more light-hearted storylines that would go on to be more familiar. As the series progressed over 15 years, more emphasis was placed on the comedic aspects of the minder-principal relationship, and the show became more a comedy driven by a dramatic plot. Social satire played a strong part throughout the series, grounded in the cinematic and social ethos of the 1980s. In the earlier series, Terry would succeed in seducing a 'dolly bird', resulting in at least one scene of female semi-nudity per average episode, though as the series became more popular these instances were reduced (and some repeat screenings, even those post- watershed, toned such scenes down). Although always an element of the series, the fights - common and brutal in early episodes - were also toned down and became less frequent.

Another significant element of the series were the subplots typically found in a Minder episode. Although subplots were not found in all of the episodes, they were found in most and usually consisted of one of Arthur's dodgy deals, Terry's minding jobs and/or favours done for friends and in a few instances involved the police tackling particular cases.

The series has a number of parallels with long-running BBC
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