HUSTLE “Episode 4″ Review

HUSTLE Series 7 Episode 4 - The HUSTLE gang side-step being swindled by an old friend this week as fellow grifter Benny returns needing their help. More jammy dodger than Artful Dodger Benny’s lost his scamming mojo and needs Mickey and Co to save his neck from a scary Iranian gangster, or so it seems.

Now I’m sure I’m not the only one but I saw the twist in this episode long before it happened. Shock horror Benny hasn’t really lost his mojo it is all one big scam. You’ve got to get up early to pull the wool over the eyes of these tea leafs and they turn the tables on old Benny.

The episode as a whole wasn’t as clever as it thought it was. The key swaps in the gym were about as subtle as a sledge hammer and the Derren Brown type subconscious suggestions with the boxes was more comical than clever. They might as well have had a big neon flashing arrow to the box with the knock off fags in, tense it was not.

The charm of Hustle is that is doesn’t take itself too seriously it’s light hearted and fun, only loosely based in real life and to be taken with a huge pinch of salt.

What sets it apart though is Mickey Bricks played by the extremely talented Adrian Lester. Last week Mickey played the role of ‘Geezer’ this week it’s the ‘Rude-Boy’. His “you get me bruv?” attitude was a refreshing and hilarious little cameo. It’s credit to Lester’s acting ability that he can pull off these characters with method acting accuracy and he is quickly becoming my favourite grifter. This is in comparison with Morgan’s Dutch delivery driver which was unintentionally poor.

The real twist came with the Iranian gangster turning out to be more North East than Middle East I was not expecting him to speak with such a broad Geordie accent, it put Morgan’s ‘Dutchshhh’ accent to shame.

Once again a fun hour of TV with just enough trickery to keep it on the right side of the absurd. What did you think of this week’s Hustle? Who’s your favorite grifter? Let me know in the comment box below!