Watch it if you can (Hustle)

Member Name: genmil

Product:	Hustle
Date:	22/01/09 (236 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exciting

Disadvantages: none

In last week's Hustle, another honourable con was carried out by the grifters, this time they wanted to teach 2 intellect property experts a lesson as they have stolen the intellectual property rights of a man and have driven him to commit suicide. Yes, con the bad guys, they deserved it.

That's the rule of the game in Hustle, the BBC TV series which is currently running its fifth series. I enjoy watching Hustle; I have followed the series since the beginning. Every episode begins with the con artist choosing their 'marks' (victims), the marks are usually people who unscrupulous, obnoxious and greedy.

The plot moves quickly from the setting bait for the mark to bite, appear in various disguises, setting up the logistics for the con to executing it. Things don't always go smoothly, the times when you think they are going to get caught out, the con isn't going through, and there will be a twist in the end. The con artist always comes out triumph.

I know it's TV, it's made believe but why don't they con more money out of these unscrupulous people.

This season of the Hustle saw the return of Mickey, together with Ash, and two new recruits, form the current casts. Albert played by Robert Vaughn appears now and then, he is in prison after conning a casino. I wonder if we will see more of him in the coming episodes.

Here is a brief introduction of the current casts:

Michael, 'Mickey' Bricks played by Adrian Lester was one of the original casts of Hustle. He was last seen in Bonekickers, a BBC series on a team of archaeologist and the strange happenings surrounding archaeological digs. In Hustle, he plays the part as the group leader. He is an intelligent man with a calm and collected demeanour that had saved the group from many near misses.

In series 5, Mickey returns to London to find his old crew. He was chased out of Sydney after pulling off a big con, selling Sydney Opera House. He found Ash who has been making money conning city traders and persuaded him to return to the group. He found Albert, his mentor in cons, in prison. Through Albert cleverly crafted plot, recruited two novice con artists, a brother and sister team, Emma Kennedy and Sean Kennedy. In episode 2, he expresses his concern about Sean's attitude towards the task he was given and he also shows the 2 novice his skills in the art of con.

Ash 'Three Socks' Morgan played by Robert Glenister, had been in the series since it started. Robert Glennister is also another familiar face in the series, Spooks. Ash can turn his hand on any job, he is the team fixers. He is also a master of disguise, he is believable in whatever role he plays, and he was a sophisticated business man in one con and an odd job worker in another.

Nothing ever daunt him, Ash could crack any code and break any security system. However, in the last episode he had to throw in the towel when he could not find a way to break a new security system, Spiderweb.

Emma Kennedy played by Kelly Adams, is a newcomer to the series. Emma met Albert while trying to pick his wallet. Albert took her under his wing and taught her the art of con. Unknown to Mickey, Albert set him up to con Emma posed as a property tycoon who in turn was trying to con Mickey and Ash.
This was Albert's clever plan to let both parties uncover each other skills. Mickey after some consideration decided to accept the brother and sister into the group.

Sean Kennedy played by Matt Di Angelo, is also a newcomer to the series. Sean posed as Emma's PA in the first episode while trying to pull a con on Mickey and Ash. So far Sean is seen as less skilful than his sister, Emma. He is not as confident as his sister and at one point in episode 2, contemplated about leaving the group as it is out of his depth. He later changed his mind after watching the master of con at work.

Eddie played by Rob Jarvis, have also been in the series from the beginning. He was the owner of Eddie's bar where the group used to meet. He lost his bar and was working in a restaurant in the fifth series. Mickey asks Eddie to help in a con and in return, help Eddie to re-open his bar. Eddie is always being conned by the group especially for food and drinks. His character adds a humorous angle to the story.

Other facts:
Hustle is created by Tony Jorden
The series began in 2004 and the DVDs for the 4 series have been released.

Oh dear, 10mins before the con starts again, got to submit this review now.

Summary: Learn the art of con