This is the second of three series of Yes Minister. The DVD contains all seven episodes of the series, originally broadcast in early 1981.

In their weekends, Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn used to drive down to London with a case of something in the boot, and talk to Government ministers. These ministers, who stayed secret until recently, were able to tell Jay and Lynn what politics is really like on the inside. They told stories which were at the time still classified, most of which worked their way into the story lines of Yes Minister.

To someone who has never seen Yes Minister, the idea of a programme containing three middle-aged men in suits talking about politics would probably suggest boredom in the extreme. Ask someone who has, and the reply would be very different.

Jim Hacker (Eddington) is a new and eager minister of the fictitious Department of Administrative Affairs, determined to leave his mark. He wants nothing more than to rise in government, and something is moral if it advances that cause.

Sir Humphrey Appleby (Hawthorne) is Hacker's permanent secretary, and is a cynical civil servant who is actually in control. He wants nothing more than for things to stay the same. He has no interest in whether Hacker keeps his job or not in this pursuit.

Bernard Wholly (Fowlds) is the minister's personal private secretary, and finds himself stuck in the middle. Hacker is officially his master, but Appleby is the person who really controls his career in the long term.

Even though their descriptions do not seem very personable, all three characters are very easy to identify with. This is mostly due to the brilliant acting, especially of Eddington and Hawthorne.

The script is nothing short of a work of art. Every sentence is very elegant, and either gently amusing or laugh-out-loud funny. It is very cynical, but not in an over the top or unrealistic way.

Even though this series is now quarter of a century old, the issues are all very relevant. Funding hospitals, giving honours to the undeserving, scientific reports, cabinet reshuffles and cutting waste are just as newsworthy now as then.

Yes Minister is something that does not loose its appeal when rewatched. I have enjoyed the all of the episodes at least five times each since buying the DVD. There are too many amusing lines for them to all be appreciated in one sitting.

I apologise for the lack of balance in this review. I spent a good ten minutes trying to find some negative points, but found none. In conclusion, therefore, if you appreciate witty perceptive intelligent writing and first class acting, then this is the DVD for you.

Episode 1 - The Compassionate Society

A new hospital has been running for fifteen months with 350 administrators, 150 ancillary staff, but no patients. There seem to be no plans to introduce patients to the hospital, and although Hacker is appalled, Appleby can't see anything wrong at all.

Hacker is determined to shut the hospital down if they won't get patients, so can Appleby stop him?

This episode features John Barron (C.J. of Reginald Perrin) as Sir Ian Whitchurch, who gives a wonderful stiff-upper-lipped performance as the permanent secretary to the DHSS.

Hacker, "The National Health Service, Humphrey, is an advanced case of galloping bureaucracy."
Appleby, "Oh, certainly not galloping, Minister. A gentle canter at the most."

Episode 2 - Doing the Honours

Hacker steals from Woolley an idea of how to make civil servants come to heel. He can't restrict their pay or promotion, but he can withhold honours.

Appleby, meanwhile, has been asked by the master of his old college to make it an exception to new rules forcing oversees students to pay full tuition. When he meets Hacker, he tries in vain to both argue against his ideas about the restriction of honours, and to argue for making the college an exception.

At this point he gets summoned by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Arnold Robinson (John Nettleton), who gives him a dressing down as only a cabinet secretary can.

If only Appleby can find a solution to both of these problems together...

Episode 3 - The Death List

When in opposition, Hacker started a petition for the tightening of rules of covert surveillance. He suddenly now realises that it is his department that buys all of the equipment. As the petition is returned he cannot really ignore it.

Meanwhile, his name is found on a death list. He is given round the clock protection, and realises that the only way for the terrorists to be caught would be for the government to use surveillance.

Now the press are starting to ask awkward questions...

Episode 4 - The Greasy Pole

As plans are submitted for a new chemical factory, both Appleby and Hacker are in favour. Hacker is, that is, until he finds out that the prime minister isn't. As an independent scientific report is commissioned, he realises that it must reflect his views in order for the factory not to be built.

Hacker, "But you see, it's the public will. This is a democracy, and the people don't like it."
Appleby, "The people are ignorant and misguided."
Hacker, "Humphrey, it was the people who elected me."

Episode 5 - The Devil You Know

The EEC want Jim Hacker to be the next British Commissioner. Appleby learns that if that were to happen, he would be replaced by the horrible Basil Corbett. Appleby does not want Corbett as a minister, so needs stop Hacker leaving,

Episode 6 - The Quality of Life

Sir Desmond Glazebrook wants to add some stories to his bank, but Hacker's policy forbids this. Appleby and Glazebrook need to persuade Hacker to build the extra floors..

Hacker, "Don't you think of anything but money?"
Glazebrook, "No, why?"
Hacker, "What about beauty?"
Glazebrook, "Beauty? This is a building, not an oil painting."
Hacker, "And the environment?"
Glazebrook, "Oh yes, I promise you we'll make sure it is part of the environment. It is bound to be once it's there, isn't it?"

...Meanwhile Hacker goes off to a city farm to get some publicity with the kids and the animals, not knowing that he himself ordered its closure.

Episode 7 - A Question of Loyalty

While Hacker decides to declare a "war on waste", a select committee investigates him and Appleby to see how wasteful they are. To face this, they need to stand together and put up a common front....or do they?

Appleby, "He who would keep a secret, must keep it secret that he hath a secret to keep."
Hacker, "Who said that?"
Woolley, "It was Sir Humphrey."

I found A Question of Loyalty, The Quality of Life and Doing the Honours to be the highlights of this series.