Lovejoy (TV Series) The Sting (1986) User Reviews

"I need you, Lovejoy. Since my wife died, I need someone to hate."

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 15 October 2019]

Lovejoy agrees to help a woman retrieve a couple of small antique statues. But when Lovejoy's nemesis, Gimbert, gets his hands on the figures, out of spite, he's not about to turn them over. Lovejoy concocts a con to get the statues from Gimbert.

The Sting is a perfect example of why I love Lovejoy. First, there's the unharmonious relationship between Gimbert and Lovejoy. They feed off making the other miserable. When Gimbert says, "I need, you Lovejoy. Since my wife died, I need someone to hate", he means it. Second, Malcolm Tierney is so good at playing the vindictive Charlie Gimbert that it's hard not to cheer for Lovejoy even when he's doing things that skirt the law (or at least ethics). It's always a joy to watch Tierney's face when Lovejoy gets the better of him. It's a nice piece of underappreciated acting. Third, The Sting features one of those interesting cons that are always a pleasure to watch unfold. As a viewer, I'm usually lost when it comes to what Lovejoy is up to. Fortunately, by the end of the episode, it all comes clear and we see just how brilliant the scheme really was. And fourth, all of the regular characters get a chance to shine and play a part in the plan. Tinker, Eric, and Lady Jane each have a role if they are to successfully put one over on Gimbert. Really fun stuff.

I think I wrote a long time ago that, to me, Lovejoy was "comfortable" television. And there's no better example of that than The Sting. Grab a snack and get comfy on the couch - that's the best way to enjoy Lovejoy.

8/10

"I've got my seatbelt on."

[skinnybert · 8/10 · 20 March 2023]

After my wife didn't think much of the first episode, this is the one I chose to show her next. She asked if I found the character more likeable. I can't say that seems quite the right question. Lovejoy isn't always the quasi-Robin Hood we get here -- he doesn't particularly require that we like him -- but we can admire his abilities, and he does have some decent relationships with some of the people around him. The failed-father bit doesn't help in this regard, but serves a plot point in this episode. Gimbert's remark about their mutual dislike isn't necessarily funny, although it might be. A fair bit of Lovejoy seems meant to be funnier than it actually is, but then a fair bit of it also succeeds. Of the first four (all I've seen), this seems the best episode.

Too much story, not enough episode

[keysam-02610 · 8/10 · 30 April 2024]

It's a good story, this one. It's just there's too much of it for this one episode. It probably could have made a two-parter without too much trouble but I suppose at this early stage in the programme's life, they might have thought they couldn't get away with it.

Anyway, it's quite a convoluted plot and it would have been nice to let it breathe. As it stands, the sub plot with the nasty drug dealer ex-boyfriend for Corinna is dealt with really rather too easily (though the scene in the pub - 'Lovejoy? Rings a bit of a bell...' is amusing). The various forgeries are also reduced to what amounts to a montage and Lovejoy's day out with his daughter ends up being a pointless waste of location filming.

Lastly, the actual sting isn't very clearly explained. It's not obvious why Lovejoy needs more than one forgery to manipulate Gimbert into buying, but it turns out it's so that the items Corinna swaps for the 'jade' cup/vase will make a big enough value to make it realistic that she would give up the jade.

It IS a good, very entertaining story, it just needed a bit more space.

The Sting

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 31 July 2018]

Gimbert is in a bind and needs Lovejoy to act as an auctioneer just after Lovejoy talks to the camera that morals has no place in the antiques game.

Lovejoy obliges and then gets Tinker, his barker to bid for a valuable piece which Lovejoy as auctioneer pushes quickly through. Gimbert knows what Lovejoy has done and is angry.

Corinna Hope a reformed drug addict who stole some antique statuettes from her father to support her drug habit.

Corrina wants Lovejoy to recover them from money she stole from her former drug pusher. Lovejoy unable to attend the auction gets Gimbert to bid for him at the auction who decides to keep the pieces for himself.

Lovejoy needs to pull a sting on Gimbert and gets Lady Jane to help out with the help of a document forger. Lovejoy could had been found out but for Gimbert's rudeness to his own experts.

Watch out for 'Big Ron' from Eastenders who roughs up the drug pusher.