After four near perfect series and one very good one, i think the magic was starting to fade in series 6. In this episode the always tricky relationship between Arthur and Terry seems to have hit rock bottom and it makes for pretty uncomfortable viewing. Arthur Daley behaves appallingly in this one, not only in his mean and vindictive manner towards Terry, but also by trying to exploit a vulnerable old man who's been left an inheritance, and even conning dear old Dave; although a bit of a rogue, Arthur had never stooped this low before and it seems oddly out of character. The finale is left open ended; Dennis Waterman did in fact return but it's no secret he'd been wanting to leave the show for some time.
By series 6 Minder was approaching middle age, Terry McCann didn't have much to do anymore, while Chisholm & Rycott were more bumbling and inept than the Keystone cops, a far cry from their early appearances - the balance between drama and comedy that was so good in the first four series was missing, and Minder never quite managed to recapture its former glory.
By series 6 Minder was approaching middle age, Terry McCann didn't have much to do anymore, while Chisholm & Rycott were more bumbling and inept than the Keystone cops, a far cry from their early appearances - the balance between drama and comedy that was so good in the first four series was missing, and Minder never quite managed to recapture its former glory.