The Thick of It: Series 4, Episode 7 (2012)

 

PC is such a boss, seriously.  I can’t deny that he was fortunate to receive a role like Malcolm – very well and consistently written, just sublimely funny – but the man can act.  There’s an absolutely no-holds-barred tremendous scene in the finale where Malcom breaks things down for Ollie and explains just what it takes to be Malcolm Tucker.  Perfect combination of script and performance.  Love it.

 

This episode did a rather strange thing:  it showed me a parallel between Malcolm Tucker and Torchwood’s John Frobisher.  When I reviewed Torchwood, I mentioned that Frobisher is a man of similar age and wardrobe working in London politics.  What makes that amusing, however, was how ­un-Malcolm Frobisher is.  Frobisher doesn’t want a lot of power and authority.  He doesn’t thrive on crisis.  He’s not commanding or intimidating.  He just wants to meekly do as he’s told and receive the occasional pat on the back from the PM for a job well done.  (Oh my gosh, now I’m picturing Malcolm leading the diplomatic sessions with the 4-5-6.  Epic.)

 

But here, I could see the thread that connects them.  Both are men whose morals are an extremely dark gray, willing to put a few stains on their soul for the sake of their party.  They are almost entirely devoted to furthering their party’s cause, and both have given up fathoms on its behalf.  And for both men, in the end, that party really doesn’t care about them.  I won’t say what happens to Malcolm in the finale, but in this episode, he realizes how lightly his consuming loyalty is regarded.

 

What’s that?  Other stuff happens in this episode as well?  Well, I suppose.  Some of it is highly entertaining.  There are a couple of impressive office meltdowns, a truly DoSAC-worthy screw-up, and of course, choice insults.  Amid panic, outrage, and a lot of swearing, The Thick of It makes its final farewells.