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The Thin Blue Line (television)




The main theme is the rivalry between the uniformed squad, led by Inspector Fowler ( Rowan Atkinson ) and the CID detectives, led by Detective Inspector Grim ( David Haig ).

The two-season series was written by Ben Elton ; profanities abound (often Malapropism s caused by the invented English of Inspector Grim), although otherwise it is a fairly benign comedy.

Cast members included veteran actor Rudolph Walker ('' Love Thy Neighbour ''), Serena Evans and James Dreyfus , who later received acclaim for '' Gimme Gimme Gimme ''. Mark Addy joined the cast in the second series as Detective Constable Boyle.

Although popular, the series was panned by critics, who cited uneven character development, as in Constable Goody's (Dreyfus) crush on Constable Maggie Habib ( Mina Anwar ), though Goody is portrayed with campy, effeminate Homosexual mannerisms. Similarly, despite the character's avowed socially conscious feminism, Maggie Habib became an unintentional Sex Symbol .


CAST



Additional cast

  • Joy Brook - Detective Constable Crockett (2 episodes - series 1)

  • Lucy Robinson - Mayoress Wickham (3 episodes - series 2)



Notable guest appearances



EPISODES


Series 1

# The Queen's Birthday Present
# Fire & Terror
# Honey Trap
# Rag Week
# Night Shift
# Kids Today
# Yuletide Spirit


Series 2

# Court in the Act
# Ism Ism Ism
# Fly on the Wall
# Alternative Culture
# Come on You Blues
# Road Rage
# The Green Eyed Monster


QUOTES

  • "If you were an ant, would you consider it a matter of Hymenopterous civil liberties that a socially dysfunctional worker ant be allowed to keep a pet anteater?" - Fowler

  • : "If it were securely muzzled and tethered, yes I would!" - Grim

  • "You'd be bored watching Olivier play Hamlet !" - Fowler

  • : "Well, I don't like Football — especially foreign teams." - Grim

  • "They'll be in there... dibby-dabby, lippy-lappy, powder-poofing, bonnet-boofing, I'll only be a minute I just gotta re-grout my crows' feet." - Grim (regarding women in the men's changing room)

  • "Yeah, well, what "ism" ever held a gun to anyones head? - Grim

  • : "Terrorism?" - Boyle

: "Yeah, well, what "ism" ever threatened the security of our state?
: "Marxism?"
: "Yeah, well, what "ism" ever hurt someone?"
: "Sadism?"
: "Yeah, well... Shut up, Boyle."
  • "My arse will be on the line and I don't want a cock up!- Grim



COMPARISONS TO OTHER SITCOMS


Ben Elton is a self-confessed fan of '' Dad's Army '', and as such many of the characters can be compared with those of ''Dad's Army''. Fowler's relationship with Grim is very similar to that of Captain Mainwaring to Warden Hodges, in that they are both on the same side yet enemies. Also, Constable Goody is rather like Private Pike in being a 'stupid boy' that irritates Fowler. Similar comparisons can be drawn from many of the minor characters. In the episode ''Rag Week'', Fowler is briefly seen walking out of a shop called "Mainwaring's".

Other comparisons can be drawn to the earlier '' Blackadder '', co-written by Elton, such as the inclusion of the Melchett -like Brigadier Blaster-Sump.


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