The Thin Blue Line Episodes

That 'truncheon in your pocket' joke would be such a great Mars-bar ad! Fowler's obsession with the Pubquiz, the crest, Patricia's misunderstanding of what's going on between Habib and Fowler and Grimm's weird ideas of how to woo someone make it one of the best episodes of the series.

A pretty awesome christmas special to round off the first season and you could easily watch around the holiday season to get in the mood.

It amalgamates some of the elements of other episodes: Fowler being annoyed by repeatedly having to listen to a 'Wings-song' ('Simply having a wonderful Christmas time' / 'The Mull of Kintyre' in 'The Queen's Birthday Present') a newborn baby in the station ('Kids today'), Fowler being self-deluded with his acting-skills (really nice twist that Grimm of all people would get the part without even trying, just to annoy Fowler) and obsessed with some amateur hobby (be it the pantomime or the Pub-Quiz in 'Honey Trap'), a 'traditional', alllegedly romantic gift from Goodie for Habib being mixed up ('The Queen's Birthday Present') and Patricia's neediness in general - but I'm glad Fowler gets away with it this time and does get to be the partner Patricia wants him to be with a happy ending for the two of them.

It has a lot of funny moments: Fowler's unintentional double-entendres ('stuffing a bird' etc.), Goodie not knowing about Harold Wilson or Jesus Christ and of course the talk 'out in the open' between Fowler and Goodie with some hilarious misunderstandings between them.

'Going on a trip' is an often-used scenario in TV-series, but deservedly so, because it allows you to experience the characters in such a different way and setting, adding whole new dynamics - I suppose it's one of the reasons road movies are such a rich concept. I love the Stephen Fry cameo, by the way, his theatrical abilities are actually quite in line with Atkinson's, they'd make a great comedic duo.

It's also a nice piece of emotional stakes and conflict with Goodie punching the little Nazi - as much as you cheer in the moment and as sweet as it is that Habib earnestly thank him, Fowler is right to call him out on it. You can really feel Fowler's anger, not only because of the violation of the law it constitutes, but also because of the harm Goodie has done to his own career. It contrasts nicely with Fowler very nearly hitting the other lad - the baby storyline is also compelling, he is absolutely despicable. In the end, he manages to find a just solution that leaves you satisfied.

Does a good job at introducing us to the various characters and their mannerisms and setting up some running gags while being a charming enough episode in its own right with some good quotes: Sherlock Holmes, Grammar, the Mull of Kintyre...

Delivers a series of double-entendres (e.g. Fowler's speech about firemen) and physical comedy (the vomiting) rather than as many memorable quotes as some of the other episodes, but generates enough laughs all the same.

I remembered this as one of the more memorable episodes, but it's honestly a bit meh.

I like the fact they brought in a few changes for the second season, giving it a bit of its own identity and bringing in a bit of variation, e.g. the new Intro and Fowler's opening speeches breaking the fourth wall and lecturing the audience about the 'message' of the episode - it's very in character.

The Mayoress and Fowler's awkward behaviour around her are a good enough addition to the cast and series.

Boyle is similar enough to Cray, but gives the role his own identity and I think overall I like him a bit more.

'Just this powder' used to be funnier as a kid, even if you didn't really understand it.

There are not too many memorable quotes, physical comedy or funny moments in general. The highlights are probably Goodie modelling or the court rehersal, but meh...

But it is one of the better episodes in terms of actual policing and investing character and story. The moral of the story is actually quite deep: Practical justice vs stern principles - I feel for Grimm and his conflicted conscience, especially when he breaks down in the end.

Although the episode to introduce the 'undisciplined youngsters' trope, it falls behind 'kids today' and 'alternative culture' and is the one that makes the trope a bit too redundant (3 out of 14 episodes!) in that it does not deliver much more than Fowler's monologue when telling the kids to 'shove off.' Raymond failing to get the banking done is an okay running gag, but doesn't carry the episode; the supposed hold up and hostage scenario is the only one in the series, and while I can laud the variation, the fact that you know it's a comedy-series that won't really get serious stops any real suspense from coming up.

Doesn't spend that much time on the actual night shift, which is a pity, because it would have been another chance to show the characters in a different situation: A seemingly endless night of being potentially shut up in the enclosed area of the station with problems piling up until you only crave to go home and crawl into bed is bound to give some dynamic to the characters and their relationships.

Fowler's son is a nice idea for a cameo as is to have him be the antithesis to his father in terms of lust (the youth trope, again, btw), but