Stay Lucky: Series 4, Episode 2 – “The Driving Instructor” (1993)

Maybe it’s a little bandwagon-ish to only start exploring PC’s filmography after he snagged the role of the Doctor, but it’s definitely an ideal time to do so.  In the few months since the Twelve announcement, all sorts of lesser-known bits of his work – unavailable on U.S. DVD or on Netflix – have been coming out of the woodwork.  This is just one piece that’s come to light recently.

 

From what I can tell, Stay Lucky is the story of a London crook (Thomas) who’s started a new life for himself in Yorkshire.  “The Driving Instructor” is from the fourth and final season, so by this time, I’m guessing Thomas has come a long way in terms of burying his past misdeeds and putting down roots in his new home.  In this episode, Thomas’s case worker (probation officer?  I’m not entirely sure) signs him up for a program teaching “young offenders” about car repair and maintenance.  The purpose is twofold – while it helps to rehabilitate the boys he’s teaching, it also keeps Thomas from getting idle hands and potentially getting back into mischief.

 

Thomas’s new gig introduces him to Robin, a young social worker played by PC.  Enthusiastic and moneyed, Robin is passionate about his work but more than a little feckless.  He’s all chipper smiles and excited speeches about growth and inspiration – very clearly, the boys don’t put much stock in anything he says.  What’s more, he doesn’t seem to notice.

 

It’s a light role, but PC is a lot of fun in it.  He stands out nicely next to the physically imposing Thomas and the posturing tough-guy teenagers, popping breezily in and out like a canary that doesn’t realize it’s in a bad neighborhood.  I get the sense that his heart is utterly in the right place, he just doesn’t have much sense for the work he’s doing.  Still, he keeps at it, being friendly and generous and basically oblivious whatever those “good kids” of his get up to whenever his back is turned.

 

And because I’ve learned that it’s basically inevitable to find at least one Who alum in anything British that I watch, keep an eye out for Ian McNeice, our own Winston Churchill.

 

Accent Watch

 

Scottish.  It’s interesting – for taking place in Yorkshire, the show doesn’t seem to be terribly Northern.  I counted at least five different accents in a single episode.

 

Recommend?

 

In General – Not necessarily.  Very 90s and nothing special, but it was enjoyable all the same.

 

PC-wise – Maybe.  If you’re in the mood for something fun, this is a nice, bouncy role.  It just made me smile.

 

Warnings

 

Some criminal activity, brief violence, and a little sexual content.