User Reviews

Very uncharacteristic episode of this (otherwise) great series, which is (as the other reviewer mentioned) largely overblown sequences of Budgie and Hazel rowing...over a dog (which becomes very repetitious) A lot of it feels rushed, un-finished and (at times) ad-libbed (but not necessarily in a good way)

This episode is made all the more worse by Charlie Endell being a (uncharacteristically) selfless 'soft-touch' with Budgie this time round...with little or no financial gain/agenda of his own.

But even running at 'half-strength' (so-to-speak) I still prefer it over the (deathly-dull) 'Fiddler On The Hoof' two-parter (from series one) or the overly comedic 'Jump-Up-Boys' and 'The Story So Far' episodes (from this series) Thankfully, the series got back on track in the following episodes (namely my favourite 'Twenty Four Thousand Ball Point Pens')

By this time you might be hoping for some character growth from Budgie.

That his scheming always ends up with the rug pulled under from him.

Budgie has stolen a champion greyhound. Hazel is none too pleased to have Glory of Fulham living in the flat. He is badly behaved, messing up every inch of the carpet. He is also wolfing down steak and kidney puddings.

Budgie hopes to make money from the dog, even sell it back to the rightful owner. Only for Charlie Endell to inform Budgie that the dog's rightful owners or a pair of thuggish brothers. They only had a man shot the week before.

Budgie has to pays the brothers compensation as well as give the dog back. He only ends up more in debt with Charlie who pays the money for him.

The greyhound has also lost its edge while under Budgie's care. Not the surefire winner he once was.

This is the kind of episode that shows up Adam Faith's deficiency as an actor. The first half of the episode is essentially a slanging match between Budgie and Hazell.

At least Lynn Dalby varies her tone. Faith is just one note. Once again the script does not help him with his threats to slap about Hazell if she does not show up.

Budgie once again coming out as nasty than some kind of loveable rogue. Even when in Charlie Endell's debt. Budgie goes in deep when he ropes him to the race track.