The Thick of It

Series 4 - Episode 4

Review

by David Butcher

Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) is back with us, storming around like an angry undertaker, plotting against lame-duck party leader Nicola Murray (Rebecca Front).

To orchestrate her downfall, he has deliberately put her on a train to Bradford while he sets off various PR bombs. But he needs Olly to help,
and Olly is in hospital. Malcolm visits, with a bouquet, and Olly is touched. ”Did you actually buy me flowers, Malcolm?” he splutters. “No, no,” protests the lethal aide. ”It’s one of the many advantages of living near an accident blackspot.”

The lavishly profane Malcolm-scenes are intercut with a frantic Nicola trying to salvage her political career from a train carriage, without the TV crew who are following her noticing. And Rebecca Front does panic brilliantly.

Summary

Nicola boards a train to Bradford for a party event, accompanied by a TV news crew, and Malcolm tries to take advantage of the situation by escalating his plan to remove her as leader of the opposition. However, co-conspirator Olly is stuck in hospital - and persuading Ben Swain to join the bloodless coup proves infuriatingly tricky. Guest starring Miles Jupp (Rev).

Cast & Crew

Malcolm Tucker Peter Capaldi

Olly Reeder Chris Addison

Nicola Murray Rebecca Front

Helen Hatley Rebecca Gethings

Glenn Cullen James Smith

Dan Miller Tony Gardner

John Duggan Miles Jupp

Cathy Hastings Lucy Briers

Ben Swain Justin Edwards

Nurse Zahra Ahmadi

Director Becky Martin

Producer Adam Tandy

Producer Armando Iannucci

Writer Sean Gray

Comedy

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Accessibility Links

Series 4 - Episode 4

Review

Summary

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Peter Capaldi joins Armando Iannucci in new David Copperfield adaptation

Peter Capaldi did a sweary Malcolm Tucker impression on Australian TV

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The Thick of It

Series 4 - Episode 4

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Taking BBC Three back on-air would reward innovation that's helped keep the BBC relevant

BBC Four's future is uncertain, but we need arts channels like it now more than ever

How to watch The Thick of It - what’s it about and who’s in the cast?

Peter Capaldi joins Armando Iannucci in new David Copperfield adaptation

Peter Capaldi did a sweary Malcolm Tucker impression on Australian TV

The Thick of It creator Armando Iannucci destroys hopes of Peter Capaldi comeback as Malcolm Tucker

Peter Capaldi resurrected sweary Malcolm Tucker at the Bafta Scotland awards

Armando Iannucci: The Russians who have seen The Death of Stalin love it

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