Humphrey makes a push for power that creates an opportunity or Hacker.
This is a wonderfully satirical observation of power gain within politics that retains the lightly humorous tone of 'Yes Minister'.
The plot involves a big shakeup at the top of the civil service and cabinet office that creates a vacuum for the main characters to fill in comic style.
All the best moments involve the secret negotiations, blackmailing, manoeuvring and the public face that Hacker presents as he secures a future for himself. As ever the real power is clearly portrayed to reside within the senior civil service as the politicians serve as ambitious pawns who help advance the long term career strategies of permanent secretaries.
For me, one very interesting aspect of 'Yes Minister' has always been how ruthless a character Hacker will turn out to be. He is presented as ambitious enough to make moral compromises, but until this episode we never truly know if he has the stomach to kill off opponents. The matter is addressed in this episode, but not in a straightforward way as Hacker makes some important choices, but it appears to be under duress. At the same time the end result as you can imagine is the pinnacle of his ambitions and something he is very happy about.
The nationalistic speech that Hacker makes about Britain in Europe is uncanny when you reflect on British and European politics over the past few years. So much so it almost feels like life has imitated art.
His television interview further pokes fun with a textbook example of political ambitions played down by a candidate seeking to appear less threatening and opportunistic, yet at the same time stating their intentions clearly for those who understand the rhetoric.
It finishes with a classic moment of comedy as the three central characters await a very important phone call and Hacker is hilariously on edge.
Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds all give superb performances and are supported well by the other cast members.
