The following is a rerun of a blog I wrote a few years ago about the TV show "Hustle". I have seen many more episodes since first posting this.
I’ve
discovered a hot new show. Actually it’s been around for awhile but I hadn’t
seen it until recently, since our local PBS station just began running it.
Called “Hustle”, it is a BBC drama series that premiered in 2004 and is still
in production. It follows a group of confidence tricksters who specialize in
“long cons”—complicated deceptions that usually involve a series of “short
cons” to accomplish. In other words, they swindle people—and rather unlikable
ones. But, as we learn in the first episode, it’s not always about the money.
Their credo is, “You can’t cheat an honest man.”
And
actually, this group of five is a rather lovable bunch—almost like a
family—despite their blatant disregard for the law. The leader, a young black
man named Michael Stone, also known as Mickey Bricks, is a long-con player who
has never been convicted. Then there’s Albert, played by Robert Vaughn of my
old favorite show from the 60’s, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (and who prompted me
to tune in, after seeing a promo). Vaughn plays a sort of grandfatherly role,
and is responsible for bringing in “marks” or potential unsuspecting victims.
And then there’s Ash, “the fixer”, beautiful Stacie, “the lure”, and
Danny, the new kid.
In
the opening sequence of the first episode we are introduced to each character
while they walk the street, getting a taste of just what dishonesty they
specialize in, as each one in turn glances at the camera to give us a knowing
smile, like they’re letting us in on their little secrets. You almost find
yourself rooting for them. This “breaking the fourth wall” apparently is a
fairly common characteristic of the series. They’ll even talk and move around a
character seemingly frozen in time, like on Bewitched. Only the victims on this
show have a lot more to lose than one of Darrin’s clients.
As
the police woman in charge of investigating them says, “This crew is not about
conning little old ladies out of their pension. They’re strictly major league.
And remember, Mickey Bricks thinks he’s cleverer than us, that there’s no way
we can catch him. Let’s prove him wrong.” Boy is she in for a surprise.
That
opening street sequence from episode one is well worth checking out. I
just love the catchy background music and how the whole thing moves. Every
scene blends into the next and holds your interest. There are no commercials in
this hour-long show, so make sure you’ve gone to the bathroom and gotten a
snack before sitting down to watch it on TV. Luckily it’s on YouTube if you
miss something or want to see it again.
I’ve
viewed the first episode numerous times and always pick up something new. But
then, I can be a little dense. (“What just happened there?” “Who is that guy?”)
Also, sometimes it’s hard to understand when they mumble in their thick British
accents so I have to go back and listen again. Thankfully, the end of the
program wraps up all the loose ends and explains such things as why he said
that, why she did what she did, who wasn’t as he seemed, and what the melons
were for.
All-in-all,
this is my type of program, even though the characters are naughty. But at
least they don’t beat up people, one of my main prerequisites. I hate violence.
I’ve only seen a couple of episodes, but I read that sometimes they even use
their skills to do good things for other people—someone who has been kind to
them, for example. How nice. However, they do drink alcohol. Relaxing with
wine, gambling with a martini, raising a toast with champagne; just once I’d
like to see them munching on a tray of broccoli and dip. Here they are breaking
laws right and left, and I’m fuming about their drinking. (“They should be
ashamed of themselves!”)
But
like I said, you can’t help but be on their side, criminal activity, booze and
all. As long as you remember it’s a TV show. Of course most of us would not
support con artists in real life. But catch this episode when you get a chance.
If you see nothing else, just watch this first part, link below. Learn about
each character and groove to the music. They also repeat that music later in
the episode (Hustle 1x1 Part 3 of 6) where they’re all performing more short
cons on the street (rigging ATM machines, picking pockets, etc.) to raise money
for their long con. And don’t miss part 4 with Danny and the
receptionist—really cute. The ending music in part 6 is great, too, where they
wrap things up and run the credits—but don’t look at that until you’ve seen the
rest of the episode, or you’ll spoil it for yourself. So just watch the whole
thing.
And
remember, it’s not always about the money!
