Mad Dogs Series 2 Finale
This series has been just as much of an unexpected treat as the first run, what could have felt lazy and tacked on has felt like a continuation. The ongoing bad luck of these four men has been hilarious and horrifying, occasionally at the same time.
Going out in style the series finale involves another mission from Mackenzie, this time only three of them are required and one has to stay behind as insurance. Rick volunteers himself, but Mackenzie is sickened at the thought of spending time with him.
Quinn is left behind with Mackenzie whilst Baxter, Rick and Woody go and do him a little favour. Which turns out to be less a favour, and more of a drug deal, and as it’s valued at 5 million it’s hardly little either.
David Warner was a pleasure in this series. Mackenzie is an old school gangster, he holds values like principles and reputation just as much as the pills he forced them to sell.
Naturally Rick does his best to manipulate the circumstances. He proclaims that if he were in Quinn’s shoes he would want them to make a break for it. Both Baxter and Woody disagree, and they set about completing the task to earn their freedom.
A few minor problems aside, the deal is done and money changes hands. Unknown to the boys, the pills are fake and it won’t be long before the buyers work it out.
In typical Mad Dogs style, Baxter, Rick and Woody make the deadline but are cutting it a bit too close, a few more seconds and Quinn would have had his head blown off. Although during an earlier confrontation with Mackenzie, Quinn welcomed death. It’s debatable if he wanted to die, or was just not willing to back down.
The episode drew to a close and for a moment there it looked like they could get away with it. Mackenzie let’s them keep the 5 million, and true to his word he lets them go. Quinn wastes no time in grabbing hold of the money and they make a run for it. As the boys contemplate what new lives the money can buy them, they allow themselves to relax as their troubles are behind them.
Then Rick drops the bombshell that he had reported Mackenzie to the VAT man. So when the doors of the truck are finally opened, they don’t get the greeting they were expecting, and they have still not made it to Barcelona.
It has to be said that series 2 improved on what was already a winning formula, it didn’t make any radical changes they only upped the craziness. It’s a shame Sky 1 don’t produce more original drama, as when they get it right it makes for great TV.
I hope that when Mad Dogs ends, these four actors find something else to work on together. Glenister has appeared on-screen with John Simm 4 times, I would love to see them take on different roles as they all just work so well as a group. Thankfully series 3 will be with us early next year, so we don’t have to face life without our favourite group of middle-aged troublemakers just yet.
Mad Dogs Series 2 is out on DVD and Blu Ray 12/03/12
Chris Suffield
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