HUSTLE (BBC UK) “Episode 6″ Review

HUSTLE Series 7

HUSTLE Series 7 Episode 6 - Too often watching British TV shows leaves me feeling slightly embarrassed. There are some powerfully written one-off productions that feature performances from our finest actors but the regular TV shows are poor imitations of American ones. Holby City is a poor man’s ER and always will be but with HUSTLE we have something different. Yes the direction “borrows” so heavily from Ocean’s Eleven Steven Soderbergh could sue for copy write but it is pure quality.

The love of Albert’s life returns this week with the daughter he never knew and the series is elevated above the flashy fun we normal chuckle along to, it had depth and emotion. Yes the grifters had to retrieve a tin of diamonds buried under a Police station for a mate who recently escaped from prison by posting himself in a crate while being chased by the Mob…(phew) but it was Albert’s story that made this episode my favourite yet.

We saw what he sacrificed for a life of excitement, card games, casinos and bespoke suits. He lost the chance of love, security and a family. The life he lives and loves is all about chance and his old flame could not build a life that could be lost at the turn of a card.

What was so good about the story was that it was believable and well played. It added an element to the programme that you had never considered before and the huge leap of faith you are asked to take each week as a fan of Hustle was rewarded here with a rare shot of realism.

The success of the Hustle each week depends on them being a crew honouring the grifters code. The scene where Albert returns alone to the casino after missing his daughter leaving for the airport was brilliant. The music playing in the background was perfect as the gang join him one-by-one at the poker table. This week the programme excelled, the crew became a family and I am officially hooked.

What did you think of this week’s Hustle? Did you enjoy the Albert storyline or find it too sentimental? Let me know in the comment box below!

By Jessica | February 19, 2011 | 14 Comments

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http://twitter.com/aDifferentBlog ADifferentBlog.org

it generaly lacks depth and this one had some but they have to bring back mickey/emma thing if they ever do a season 8…
Hannah Marren

For one scary moment I thought that Albert might leave to go with them back to the US…that would have made me cry. I adore Albert.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=526602719 Alan Smith

Are they making an 8th series?

Jessica

Hey Alan,

Adrian Lester who plays Micky has tweeted they are working on gettin an 8th series so fingers crossed!!

Residentofarea51

I cried at the ending. I’m not afraid to admit it, it was amazing. After the absolutely ludicrous (although a lot of fun) episode in which Ash lost his ability to lie, we got something completely unexpected. The lives of the Hustle crew are always made out to be so glamorous but this episode showed us that there’s much more to it. But it wouldn’t be Hustle without an adequately silly plot involving diamonds buried under a police station, of course. So this episode was very emotional but kept the feel of the show. Very nice.

Gazzza

To be honest, I couldn’t agree with you more. The ending had me in tears!

Tangozled

I may be mistaken but did his daughter and ex leave after he was only 25 minutes late? I know the ex was expecting him to not come but still, the could have at least waited an hour or so.

Nextil

They could have, plane wouldn’t have waited an hour.

Oh-my-word

Does anybody know who sang the music at the end, when we watch Albert walk to the casino?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Donavan-De-Bruin/823933218 Donavan De Bruin

The Song is By Sting – Shape Of My Heart
http://twitter.com/TragicallyInept Gary Anderson

I thought the ending was brilliant, and the way the final scene took shape, with the camera slowly moving out, revealing one by one each of his friends joining him at the table. It was pretty emotional and a gut punch of a scene. Add in the perfect addition of that song which fit so well, and I don’t think it could have been done better.

As for Season 8 I can’t wait, although we’ll have to wait another year to get it. Wish the British shows were longer than 6 bloody episodes (<— americanized british slang). However when they come back, I would LOVE to see the return of Danny Blue and Stacy Monroe. That'd be a perfect way to send off the show when they finally end it.

Even bring back that Ashley Walters who filled in for Mickey several years back.
leona

Loved this series and I really hope we have an eighth series – But if so we need the Mickey/Emma vibe back!
Adam

The final scene was immense, it was filled with emotion and I am man enough to admit that all the emotion acted out, perfectly, was perfectly rounded off with the song of choice being Shape Of My Heart. I just finished watching it and there is a tear in my eye.
HustleFan

Hustle needs to return to the style it had in season 3 (its best season). The thing it lacks most now is the slick character interaction between each other. Danny-Mickey-Stacy, Ash-Stacey, Albert-everyone, really worked in season 3. But now it seems that the cons are still good but it is more hollow. Really want to see danny-stacy back but if that cant happen at least work on developing character interactions so that an interesting sub-plot is created.