Hustle (TV Series) A Bollywood Dream (2006) User Reviews

This is the episode the made me a fan for life!

[garrard · 10/10 · 21 July 2006]

Guest Silas Carson plays "Kulvinder Samar," a ruthless businessman with a penchant for Bollywood films and a perfectionist in everything. At the behest of an old friend, Albert (Robert Vaughn) gets his fellow grifters to chose Samar as their next mark, with the intent on taking him down. However, an unexpected turn of events transforms the disreputable cad into a virtuous man, unaware of his previous activities. Thus, the group has to deal with the moral dilemma of continuing the con or abandoning their plans.

Not only does this episode present an interesting premise in regards to the "redemption" of a morally corrupt individual, it allows the viewer to see the con artists as having to determine when the con is "not the thing." Each of the cast members gets a chance to shine: Vaughn is his usual reserved self as he must weigh the pros and cons of their actions; Adrian Lester is his cool and calculating best as he spearheads the two scenarios that develop; Jaime Murray is alluring as she plays the "star" of the film being made (as part of the con); Robert Glenister continues as the technological and logistical "wizard, but also dealing with what is "right" or "wrong"; and Marc Warren gets to show a "softer" side as he, in a subplot, becomes enamored of some house plants.

There is the usual visual "explanation" of the con but it is played in an elaborate and quite satisfying dance sequence, featuring all the principals and the guest star.

In all, like the character played by Carson, this episode is as close to perfection as series television can get.

The Best Episode of the Best Season (spoilers)

[luanaradix · 10/10 · 21 October 2007]

I won't waste time giving a synopsis of this episode, as they are already available. Silas Carson is wonderful as the reprobate sweatshop owner who has an accident and finds his conscience. He becomes as endearing and sincere as he was arrogant and vile, which is a hard note to hit.

The crew discovers his change of heart in a beautiful Bollywood number that's bright, colorful and a joy to watch. In addition to a group of talented Bollywood actors, Carson and the Hustle crew get a chance to show their musical theatre skills. Adrian Lester, who has done loads of musical theatre is enchanting in his small but effective solo.

What makes this episode unique is seeing Carson's character transform as he realizes why he became the man he did. His dreams were denied him, so he denied the dreams of others. When the crew discovers his transformation, they do the only honorable thing by canceling the con because they see that he's become a good and honest man. The crew acknowledges that continuing would break their code and cross the line between con and theft. This is the rare episode that lets the crew and the mark show their quality.