the smirk when he says @ 1:14 "we can always find another nurse and plant a bottle of scotch on her" while devilishly rubbing his hands together firmly summaries sir Humphreys character, brilliantly executed..
Sir Richard’s reply is incredible too. There’s no outrage or anger at the suggestion, just “I don’t think we could do that.” Makes you wonder if he considered it as well!
The Foreign Office Permanent Secretary is one of my favorite characters. His logic and morals are so twisted, but he says everything so confidently LOL
he kinda had a point. most ministers dont know jack about foreign diplomacy or the complex relations between nations yet we're putting the fate of our world and the nation in their hands. would be nice to delegate that authority on a regular basis to an institution that exists solely to prevent wars and have a favourable international community. shame ofc that the foreign office is a giant clusterf*cl of corruption, incompetence and stupidity driven by overconfidence, hypocrisy and greed (in the series)
@@sasankasekharde9835 Sir Frank from Treasury had some of his moments too, real slime ball he was. Though that episode where Humphrey knocked him down a peg does kinda drop him.
It takes a Sir Humphrey to solve an international incident to the satisfaction of everyone involved within the span of a 30 minute television program. The Foreign Office looks positively venal in this episode, though.
Given what’s happened to the lady imprisoned in Iran with a British husband it’s a pretty timeless & still accurate assessment all too often. I suppose “seeing the bigger picture” depends from whose vantage points it’s viewed.
@@OliverMoore1973 The whole point of the show is to portray british government higher ups as incompetent and selfish. They have a bunch of episodes where their goal is to avoid having to help other countries or dodge responsibility for what's happening in other countries. I don't think they'd be doing much, lol
Whoever has enough masterly knowledge of YesPM to find, edit and upload the most apt scenes consistently for the last few months deserves a BAFTA. Thank you wise stranger. “You don't think there's any danger of the PM's denying it just because it isn't true, is there?” Humphrey, “None at all.”
The thing I find brilliant is that the clip portrays that the Foreign Office has entirely different priorities than the rest of the government, they’re interested in a listening post, likely for military intelligence, and see the young nurse’s situation as helpful for leverage. Never forget that international diplomacy is about power, not morals, the show reminds us of that fact often.
Given that Humphrey usually tried to undermine Jim's efforts for the sake of the Civil Service, there's something oddly engaging in seeing him try to trick and screw over both sides for his own interest this time 😊
How is this clip him screwing over everyone? He basically satisfied everyone's needs in secret And I don't get What was the point This is Humphrey so I doubt it was for the sake of saving the girl so what did he benefit from it
@@impostor6982 Didn't you watch the episode? Sir Humphrey was in line for a future job as the Master of Balliol college Oxford, the Dean of the college (the man they sent to Qumran) didn't like Humphrey and would block his appointment. As a result, Humphrey intrigued to have the Dean appointed to a bishopric by devising this plan to stage manage a success in this foreign intercession (the bishopric was otherwise going to be given to someone else). Therefore the PM would recommend the Deans appointment and clear the way for Humphrey's future job.
Flawless execution as always. It never ceases to impress me how expertly these actors portrayed this type of human vermin. And more so that it actually got broadcast.
It was broadcast because the politicians liked watching the Civil Servants being portrayed as schemers and the Civil Servants liked watching the politicians being portrayed as idiots. It had something for everyone.
'to set up a signals listening post' I wonder if anyone at GCHQ raised their eyebrows at that statement wondering if by chance the writers got wind of something.
Humphrey was a brilliant manipulator, like his predecessor as Cabinet Secretary, Sir Arnold Robinson; but unlike Arnold, Humphrey enjoyed gloating over it a bit too much.
No, he didn't do the right thing. He wanted to get the Dean promoted to Bishop, so that he himself could become Master of his old college. Right and wrong simply weren't relevant.
This series would have been so funny if you didn’t realise that every single word, statement, episode is such an accurate portrayal of the corruption that exists in political circles-then it’s just plainly depressing
Satire is comedy with a sharp edge to puncture the self satisfaction of those satirised. The government officials in this case. That is why people laugh at this series.
@@jonmel So right, this program is as relevant to day, as when it was first broadcast . boreus is exactly the same . Jim was incompetent . However boreus doesn't care for anything , except, boreus. As Terry Thomas, would have said ! Absolute Shower.
@@yourmum69_420 so you would wimp out from a fight just because it's difficult? That doesn't seem very British at all..it's about sending a message: the british government will fight for british citizen, whatever their situation.
I am reminded of Canada’s mediocre performance in the Two Michaels Affair by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Years prior, a friend of mine, with whom I went to University and ended up in CSIS (name redacted), told me that if you find yourself in serious trouble in a foreign land, “You’re on your own!” The 2 Michael’s no doubt agree.
This is the big difference between western and third world countries. Here we have no illusions on what our foreign services are doing. Them doing the right things is a surprise (but a welcome one).
If only the bbc could go back to comedy greats like this. The most recent bbc 'comedy' is spitting image, which is unfunny and not a patch on its original. The remake of Yes, Minister was pretty grim too.
This may be lost because its wrapped up in a veneer of comedy, but everything that happened here is ghastly for the common people. Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister has hammered the message in again and again: the people you vote for to run the country doesn't run the country; their officials do. And you can see from this episode, the lives and pain of the citizens mean little and less compared to their self interests. Especially that sociopath Sir Richard, who is the Foreign Office Permanent Secretary. You heard him. That poor nurse meant less than a fart in the wind if he could benefit from her pain. Even Sir Humphrey was ready to leave her to twist in the wind until he saw a way to turn her rescue to secure his retirement package, all behind Sir Richard's back. These people have the power of life and death over their citizens, and your lives mean nothing to them.
I sympathize with the Foreign Office guy. Major foreign policy interest scuppered by some idiot traveller violating well known local laws because they're stupid. Who wouldn't be annoyed? If you can't do your homework stay at home.
I love the running joke “the pound had another bad day…..”
the smirk when he says @ 1:14 "we can always find another nurse and plant a bottle of scotch on her" while devilishly rubbing his hands together firmly summaries sir Humphreys character, brilliantly executed..
Sir Richard’s reply is incredible too. There’s no outrage or anger at the suggestion, just “I don’t think we could do that.” Makes you wonder if he considered it as well!
@@michaeldick6227 especially when. he rebukes the "it wouldn't be right" with "its too dangerous"
It's also darkly hilarious at the Foreign Office secretary is clearly actually thinking about it seriously while Humphrey was more joking.
It's so good to see two talented professionals like these doing a flawless job. I mean the actors of course.
The Foreign Office Permanent Secretary is one of my favorite characters. His logic and morals are so twisted, but he says everything so confidently LOL
Mine too but after Humphrey and Sir Arnold
he kinda had a point. most ministers dont know jack about foreign diplomacy or the complex relations between nations yet we're putting the fate of our world and the nation in their hands. would be nice to delegate that authority on a regular basis to an institution that exists solely to prevent wars and have a favourable international community. shame ofc that the foreign office is a giant clusterf*cl of corruption, incompetence and stupidity driven by overconfidence, hypocrisy and greed (in the series)
@@sasankasekharde9835 Sir Frank from Treasury had some of his moments too, real slime ball he was. Though that episode where Humphrey knocked him down a peg does kinda drop him.
It takes a Sir Humphrey to solve an international incident to the satisfaction of everyone involved within the span of a 30 minute television program. The Foreign Office looks positively venal in this episode, though.
Given what’s happened to the lady imprisoned in Iran with a British husband it’s a pretty timeless & still accurate assessment all too often. I suppose “seeing the bigger picture” depends from whose vantage points it’s viewed.
Can you imagine these guys around today with the Russia Ukraine thing going on... England would be killing it!... 😉👍
@@OliverMoore1973 The whole point of the show is to portray british government higher ups as incompetent and selfish. They have a bunch of episodes where their goal is to avoid having to help other countries or dodge responsibility for what's happening in other countries. I don't think they'd be doing much, lol
@@Zanator1 That is not the point of the show at all...
@@lachyt5247 Lol, enlighten me then. What is the point? Everyone in the show is incompetent and selfish more often than not.
Love the when they switch off the Tv news on Yes (Prime Minister) “The Pound had another bad d…” 😂😂😂
To be fair, that wasn't news. 😄
Oh well. At least it will help Britain's balance of trade and tourism.
Whoever has enough masterly knowledge of YesPM to find, edit and upload the most apt scenes consistently for the last few months deserves a BAFTA. Thank you wise stranger.
“You don't think there's any danger of the PM's denying it just because it isn't true, is there?”
Humphrey, “None at all.”
Hear hear
I think it would be an even greater feat to find a scene in this series _not_ worth publishing.
Check the channel name - it's an official BBC UA-cam channel.
The thing I find brilliant is that the clip portrays that the Foreign Office has entirely different priorities than the rest of the government, they’re interested in a listening post, likely for military intelligence, and see the young nurse’s situation as helpful for leverage. Never forget that international diplomacy is about power, not morals, the show reminds us of that fact often.
Given that Humphrey usually tried to undermine Jim's efforts for the sake of the Civil Service, there's something oddly engaging in seeing him try to trick and screw over both sides for his own interest this time 😊
We always like to see our enemies diminished, but who does not enjoy a bit of embarrassment inflicted on our friends either?-Varys the Spider.
Well it IS the foreign office !
Sir Humphrey has no love for the Foreign office.
How is this clip him screwing over everyone?
He basically satisfied everyone's needs in secret
And I don't get What was the point
This is Humphrey so I doubt it was for the sake of saving the girl so what did he benefit from it
@@impostor6982 Didn't you watch the episode? Sir Humphrey was in line for a future job as the Master of Balliol college Oxford, the Dean of the college (the man they sent to Qumran) didn't like Humphrey and would block his appointment. As a result, Humphrey intrigued to have the Dean appointed to a bishopric by devising this plan to stage manage a success in this foreign intercession (the bishopric was otherwise going to be given to someone else). Therefore the PM would recommend the Deans appointment and clear the way for Humphrey's future job.
"Well you don't think there's any danger of the PM's denying it just because it isn't true is there?" "None at all." Prophetic words indeed!
Ah, politics. The art of turning a complete disaster into a government policy.
This never gets old........
Sadly not.
Flawless execution as always.
It never ceases to impress me how expertly these actors portrayed this type of human vermin.
And more so that it actually got broadcast.
It was broadcast because the politicians liked watching the Civil Servants being portrayed as schemers and the Civil Servants liked watching the politicians being portrayed as idiots. It had something for everyone.
They also loved watching themselves get lampoon bc anybody whose been in government can recognize the shitshow.
'to set up a signals listening post' I wonder if anyone at GCHQ raised their eyebrows at that statement wondering if by chance the writers got wind of something.
The head writers for the series had both worked in government, they've said that many of their script ideas came from actual events.
That volte-face by Humphrey at 0:11 tho 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Its amazing how this show still feels relevant today
Because despite more technology, people don't change much.
The best TV series ever. Allo Allo and Fawlty Towers close behind.
Did you throw 'Allo 'Allo in there for a joke? What a god-awful programme that was.
Fawlty Towers yes! Allo allo? Surely, you must be joking.
Both of them where trash.
@@Youchubeswindon Fawlty Towers trash? That's an interesting opinion.
BlackAdder here!
You could start a whole new series of this. Just take some cameras into Westminster and Downing Street. No actors necessary.
Most of this series was about what happens in back rooms out of the public's eye. They'd never let anyone film that.
What, humpy speaking before he thought?
An unfortunate slip of the tongue...
Humphrey was a brilliant manipulator, like his predecessor as Cabinet Secretary, Sir Arnold Robinson; but unlike Arnold, Humphrey enjoyed gloating over it a bit too much.
Yay, Sir Humphrey finally does the right thing. Wonderful change of pace
"Oh I don't mind..."
For the wrong reasons, of course, but it was still the right thing.
No, he didn't do the right thing. He wanted to get the Dean promoted to Bishop, so that he himself could become Master of his old college. Right and wrong simply weren't relevant.
CLASSIC!!! 😂👍😂
This series would have been so funny if you didn’t realise that every single word, statement, episode is such an accurate portrayal of the corruption that exists in political circles-then it’s just plainly depressing
But that's precisely why it's so funny: BECAUSE it's true.
@@AdamKafei I don’t see it that way personally. The acting and writing are top-drawer though
Satire is comedy with a sharp edge to puncture the self satisfaction of those satirised. The government officials in this case. That is why people laugh at this series.
@@mavisemberson8737 Yeah, like politicians are bothered 😂😂
@@jamesmcgrath578 This show was written by a former political reporter for the BBC who had regular contact with people exactly like this
With Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe stuck in Iran, things haven't changed much!
There becasue of current pm one of the worst foreign Secretary in century’s
@@jonmel So right, this program is as relevant to day, as when it was first broadcast . boreus is exactly the same . Jim was incompetent . However boreus doesn't care for anything , except, boreus.
As Terry Thomas, would have said ! Absolute Shower.
that looks like an Iranian name to me... what business is it of Britain's?
@@yourmum69_420 so you would wimp out from a fight just because it's difficult? That doesn't seem very British at all..it's about sending a message: the british government will fight for british citizen, whatever their situation.
@@Eisenwulf666 what? That isn’t remotely what I said
Maybe they could send that guy to Iran now and get Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe released?
I am reminded of Canada’s mediocre performance in the Two Michaels Affair by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Years prior, a friend of mine, with whom I went to University and ended up in CSIS (name redacted), told me that if you find yourself in serious trouble in a foreign land, “You’re on your own!” The 2 Michael’s no doubt agree.
This is the big difference between western and third world countries. Here we have no illusions on what our foreign services are doing. Them doing the right things is a surprise (but a welcome one).
The Appleby Contingency
If only the bbc could go back to comedy greats like this. The most recent bbc 'comedy' is spitting image, which is unfunny and not a patch on its original. The remake of Yes, Minister was pretty grim too.
Pretty sure SI was on ITV...
They remade Yes, Minister?
This programme is so good that it feels as if all the characters really work in the Brit Parliament.
Sir Humphrey saving a "dear lady" from the muslims, without receiving any credit for his chivalrous action, a true knight indeed.
I guess this is why Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe still in prison in Iran?
who?
This may be lost because its wrapped up in a veneer of comedy, but everything that happened here is ghastly for the common people. Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister has hammered the message in again and again: the people you vote for to run the country doesn't run the country; their officials do. And you can see from this episode, the lives and pain of the citizens mean little and less compared to their self interests. Especially that sociopath Sir Richard, who is the Foreign Office Permanent Secretary. You heard him. That poor nurse meant less than a fart in the wind if he could benefit from her pain. Even Sir Humphrey was ready to leave her to twist in the wind until he saw a way to turn her rescue to secure his retirement package, all behind Sir Richard's back. These people have the power of life and death over their citizens, and your lives mean nothing to them.
great series and should be part of childrens education teaching them the INNER WORKINGS of gvrmt
Haha
The pound had anothe bad day .. sounds Liz is the PM
That guy looks and sounds like Tony Benn.
Yeah!!
Wait five years for this . The 40 , be it metaled as the remainder , then I to learn less
Unreal .
Perhaps
I sympathize with the Foreign Office guy. Major foreign policy interest scuppered by some idiot traveller violating well known local laws because they're stupid. Who wouldn't be annoyed? If you can't do your homework stay at home.
Yeah, why should they protect drug smugglers... 40 lashes everything considered in this world is pretty light punishment after all.
It’s a disaster !
God the laugh track is a bit much on this one
This show was filmed in front of a live audience, so no episode would be censored before broadcasting.
@@jeronimo196 Most BBC comedies were recorded in front of a live audience anyway.