Yes Minister - Sir Arnold's Life after Cabinet Secretary

Sir Arnold on his succession as Cabinet Secretary (BBC "Yes Minister" - Party Games) discussion and Humphrey learning he may take over his position as head of the Civil Service. Sir Arnold Robinson played by John Nettleton.
Yes Minister Cast
Cast: Rt. Hon Jim Hacker played by Paul Eddington
Sir Humphrey Appleby played by Nigel Hawthorne
Bernard Wooley played by Derek Fowlds
Sir Arnold Robinson played by John Nettleton

[@danielyeshe]

My favourite Sir Arnold line is when he is asked: How are things at the freedom of information? And he responds: 'Sorry I can't talk about that.'

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, totally agree - that's one of his funniest lines, said in such a matter of fact way.

[@jennifersman7990]

Yes, mine too!

[@warnpassion]

Daniel O'Donovan LMAO

[@saurabhnaik7]

A minister with two ideas? I can't think of the last time we had one of those !

[@CiceroLounge]

@@saurabhnaik7 Yes, that's another one of his best lines. :)

[@sinclairjg]

“Would I? How gratifying.”

[@AbhishekJain-cc1pi]

that's a dose of pure english arrogance and sarcasm. I remember something similar in Braveheart when the king said 'Are you, now?' before throwing somebody off a high tower. That king actually said it quite often. It's funny _ \|/ _

[@dusk4923]

@@AbhishekJain-cc1pi Abhishek feels Scottish lmao

[@voicification]

Very reassuring! Very reassuring.

[@WithinMyLane]

The man who played Sir Arnold passed away recently in 2023. Besides the trio, he was the best recurring character of the show. Polished, shrewd, a man who knew the game well. What a brilliant show supported by an equally brilliant cast

[@markfryer9880]

May he Rest In Peace. Great actor, this might have been his best role, totally believable as the Head of the Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary.

[@fishjj76]

Outside the trio, I loved the rivalry Sir Humphrey had with Sir Frank.

[@schoppepetzer9267]

John Nettleton

[@crazydavec3861]

Yup, John Nettleton (1929-2023) - I saw him in "Jinnah" a few years ago as a general, but in my head he was just Sir Arnold the whole time! 😁

[@andrew7taylor]

Sir Arnold was the only one who was consistently quicker than Sir Humphrey. He was such a magnificient bastard!

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, he definitely had poise and panache! :)

[@arvindk451]

Like Sherlock and Mycroft

[@hansdampf4377]

Humphrey got him once when Arnold had and idea and he told him he should become a Minister:-)

[@hoilst]

The man's so oily I'm surprised the US hasn't invaded him.

[@tyberfen5009]

Did he write a book? One, one could read for example

[@philipsalama8083]

Ha, and those nitwits on Game of Thrones and House of Cards think they understand political intrigue. Sir Humphrey would wipe the floor with all of them, and he wouldn't need to leave his armchair.

[@CiceroLounge]

In true Machiavelian style, he'd make them gratefully confused without they're even knowing.

[@Smithjones12]

Philip Salama The original house of cards was spot on,the naff American remake was well the least said the better

[@leondarcy7367]

Or raise his voice

[@lhia0416]

And Sir Humphrey does it with such grace.

[@sirravixfourhorn7681]

Game of Thrones is marvelous as long as they try to adapt the asoiaf books (seasons 1-4) with no shortage of tricksters and chessmasters.

[@adogshair9332]

Sir Arnold is actually the only one Sir Humphrey is terrified of in the whole series and this bit explains masterly why, and how the Establishment maintains itself : through the trade of privileges, the concentration of the jobs always in the same hands. This happens in every country, but in Britain, they insitutionalized it!

[@schoppepetzer9267]

Stability, my friend. Stability! :)

[@CiceroLounge]

Agree completely

[@Bear10174]

Institutionalized? How dare you, the British Civil Service have turned it in to a art form dear chap.

[@adamyoussef2257]

Recently there was an article in BBC titled "How the civil service is posher than in the 1960s"

[@dandy-lions5788]

To the continuation of sound government ;)

[@py7316]

As Cabinet Secretary, Sir Arnold is consistently brilliant in the episodes he appears. He is polished in his manners and speech, subtle in exercising his vast power and very clever.

[@CiceroLounge]

Isn't he completely, very articulate and polished.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

@@CiceroLounge And a supreme self-seeking bastard - don't forget that one.

[@mrdunns3338]

Not a New Labour minister, obviously?

[@Melomaniac1956]

Really is telling; all the jobs they list for Arnold after he retires are a perfect blend. On the one hand, jobs like the directorships, deputy-chairmanship in the BOE, head of the Security Commission, the Bank Occidental, the Chancellorship of Oxford and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth would be ideal for him in maintaining considerable power and influence both nationally and internationally. Meanwhile, the roles like those in the Opera House Trust, Covent Garden and the Presidency of the Anglo-Caribbean Association are mostly ceremonial positions in which Arnold wouldn't have to do much of anything but would still afford him a load of comfortable perks and privileges. He's setting himself up for retirement like a boss!

[@CiceroLounge]

You noticed that as well, of course all of these supplementary positions would be concurrent with his exhaustive redaction work for the Freedom of Information department. 😶🤐

[@Melomaniac1956]

@@CiceroLounge But of course. And how are things at the Campaign for the Freedom of Information by the way?

[@CiceroLounge]

I'm sorry I can't talk about that 🤣

[@darylcheshire1618]

Notice how Sir Desmond Glazebrook pops up occasionally and wants a seat on this or that but the others manouver to stop him.

[@supremeworld87]

My eyes would always light up when Sir Arnold came on screen, his whole manner and way of speaking was just hilarious and he was just so brilliant as a tactician - I don't recall a single time he was ever defeated. Hacker even mentions in one episode that he thinks he might be the most powerful man in the country which is pretty spot on.

[@Whoami691]

He was defeated when he tried to get Hacker to become Transport Supremo by going around Humphrey.

[@q155]

I thought his original goal was to make a lot of noise so it appears the gov is trying to implement the policy, but in reality doing nothing. Eventually he did get what he wanted though, and the leaks are from the minister/Humphrey and PM office so it can't even be tracked back to him.

[@CiceroLounge]

Totally agree with you

[@CiceroLounge]

Absolutely, he has panache and a faultless flair

[@CiceroLounge]

@@q155 Yes that's right, he became chairman for the Freedom of Information Committee (open government) in order to protect the information, and yes it seems that he was behind leaks that get blamed on Government, and not the civil service.

[@YD-uq5fi]

Sir Arnold Robinson, not the PM or Queen, is the true supreme power in the UK. He knows the answer to everything, and bestrides the Empire like a colossus. He is the supreme power on the show.

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, and that quote from "Julius Caesar" (Act1 ScII) is quite fitting too! :)

[@mscott3918]

Absolutely agree with you.

[@danieldickson8591]

But his power depends on remaining behind the scenes. He needs the cover of the politicians to keep his own activities away from public scrutiny. He doesn't dare bestride, he has to lurk.

[@zachsmith5515]

....Arnie

[@mehfoos]

Mycroft Holmes

[@kdhavle]

The very stern "Good!" towards the end is a masterclass in dialogue delivery.

[@jamesupton4996]

What this show had most was not the very clever scripts but the consummate standard of acting. You can see how the actors must have rehearsed and perfected their skills well before filming - art concealing art. It is a joy to watch just for the acting alone. I would imagine that they put a huge amount of hours in - sheer professionalism. Sir Humphrey even in his most loquacious speeches is never just reciting a script, but embodying it: it's him. And there are all sorts of minor things, like slightly raised eyebrows, hand gestures, tilts of heads, that really show the actors attending to every detail of their performance.

[@alialmuhanna4938]

One is inclined, given the appraisal which was so eloquently communicated, and allowing for all possible responses, not to put too fine a point on it, to agree with such assessment, should such agreement be so welcomed.

[@vijayiyer8518]

​@@alialmuhanna4938such agreement would most certainly be welcomed :)

[@markfryer9880]

​@@vijayiyer8518Oh you guys have spent too much time watching this show! 😂😂😂😂

[@theztalks6876]

Sir Arnold quietly flexing his Old Etonian Tie! The Props master has done equally a very good job

[@aritragupta4182]

RIP, Sir Arnold. John Nettleton, 1929 - 2023.

[@MrBazH]

The plaudits always seem to go to Nigel Hawthorne (deservedly so - he had the bigger part after all), but this clip shows just what a great actor John Nettleton was. His performance was faultless. His appearances on TV were always memorable but his casting here was perfect (as was Richard Vernon as Sir Desmond Glazebrook).

[@shetah8039]

Still is... He's well over 91 but still alive.

[@speedweednfeed6721]

Arnold and sir Desmond glazebrook are both brilliant side characters. The idiot banker and the man who (not very) secretly held all the power breathed life into the series which was mainly just hacker, Humphrey, and Bernard. Of course Arnold is more of a symbol of the institution than a joke character.

[@robbie_]

Quite right. Every scene he's in is absolutely magnificent. It's certainly a great script but he delivered it so perfectly.

[@TheRichardSpearman]

@@shetah8039 Yes, and has had the pleasure of watching life imitate art for the past few decades....

[@shetah8039]

@@TheRichardSpearman A somewhat dubious pleasure, some might say, but yes. This show's been called a documentary of the British political system more often than not and I would venture to say that it's the same, more or less, in all democratic countries.

[@davidlawson7121]

Sir Arnold is terrifyingly realistic inside the Civil Service.

[@shawnkristoferu8303]

I loved when Sir Arnold would look at Humphrey seriously with pause. That would scare the pants of Humphrey. That is power.

[@shankarbalan3813]

What subtlety and barbed intrigue. These are MASTERS!

[@teecee1567]

On of THE best exchanges between them both..in the entire collection of tales...is when Sir Arnold tells Sir Humphrey, that he has accepted the offer of being the President of the "Campaign for Freedom of Information"...... and in a later episiode, Humphrey asks Arnold "how are things at the Cmapaign for the Freedom of Information"? And Arnold replies "sorry, I can't talk about that". PRICELESS!

[@tompw3141]

"... Especially during the winter months"

[@jimspink2922]

One of the best scene with Sir Humphrey and Sir Arnold was in Yes Minister episode called Doing the Honours. Jim had suggested the people only get their honours if they do something such as reduce costs in their departments. Sir Arnold asks Sir Humphrey to come over to the Cabinet Office for a little CHAT. The looks on Humphries face during the CHAT is priceless. Also the next scene with Jim and Bernard in the car and Bernard explaining the true meaning of some of the honours is great as well. Example Call Me God for the CMG

[@luvabhi3]

KCMG: kindly call me God. GCMG: God calls me God.

[@billfeldman2127]

"A real punch up!"

[@rezakolahdouzan3440]

The best comedy ive ever seen.

[@CiceroLounge]

Probably to my mind one of the most brilliantly written, and Jay and Lynn got alot of inside incidents from 60s/70s and early 80s Ministers when they wrote it in the early 80s i believe, similar to the disclosures given to Michael Cockerall when he wrote the BBC Great Offices of State documentary

[@CiceroLounge]

Absolutely

[@utkukoksal5278]

The writers said that the incident in which Hacker formed a communications room for drinking alcohol in a visit to one of the muslim countries really happened.

[@MladenPostruznik]

This is not a comedy. This is how it goes, really.

[@richardlloyd2589]

Fact based political documentary.....

[@richardclarke376]

Best comedy writing ever. Every episode littered with scalpel sharp observations.

[@CiceroLounge]

Totally agree Richard and it's still so relevant; almost prophetic at times. Cynical but sharp!

[@motaltockery5191]

Our all-male early 70's boy's high school Social Studies teacher "Mr Graham" was a dedicated passionate capable and genuinely caring man who really wanted to educate us in the real world we were born in, unfortunately (For him) he showed his soft side to a class full of mean spirited low minded uncouth young louts (Bastards) who often sent him out of the class crying, that said I'm pretty sure he would have delighted himself in playing clips of this show to educate us in the real world cause when all was said and done he was genuinely trying to educate us...

[@CiceroLounge]

I think i've warmed to Mr Graham thanks Bertie for your candid view of education - it's weird some of the people i should have listened to i didn't listen at the time, but like you one realises their important virtue. Take it easy pal and thanks for sharing

[@dandy-lions5788]

Rest in peace, John Nettleton

[@brianfarman2747]

Sir Arnold devasting at times with his comments and quips i liked him very much

[@distantutopia8690]

Did Sir Arnold just give Humphrey leverage on purpose so that Humphrey would feel assured that Sir Arnold would abide by the unspoken deal?

[@CiceroLounge]

He most certainly did, Humphrey's ambition got the better of him again

[@ahmedamine24]

Very elegant.

[@leopold7562]

Kind of. Sir Humphrey was most likely top of the list to replace Sir Arnold anyway, but naturally Sir Arnold wanted to ensure he had a very comfortable retirement, so used this to his advantage whilst giving Sir Humphrey the impression that it was a quid pro quo arrangement. Very sneaky. Jobs for the boys, eh?

[@stevenkies802]

Sir Arnold just finagled six jobs a few minutes.

[@gavinjames8749]

Just shows he has the nous and cunning to no doubt be deserving of all sinecures that "could possibly" be coming his way.

[@mscott3918]

No, he just indicated that he was willing to serve the country even though retired. Thoroughly laudable sentiment.

[@stevenkies802]

@@mscott3918 Quite right. A humble functionary nobly sacrificing his autumn years for the good of the country!

[@AGMundy]

This is my favourite episode along with The Key. John Nettleton was perfect casting as Sir Arnold.

[@walsingham-xxiii]

I always loved Sir Arnold. Mycroft to Humphrey’s Sherlock.

[@TheRichardSpearman]

And John Nettleton, continuing to enjoy his retirement into his 90s, with a gold-plated index linked pension, not to mention repeat fees from the BBC and massive video/dvd sales/rentals as well.

[@pauloconnor5850]

I've been watching this all through this Covid-19 pandemic and my god, it's still so very relevant and brilliantly funny to this day!! Nigel Hawthorne was an absolute genius!!

[@CiceroLounge]

Remember to keep safe through this unprecedented situation and uncertain times

[@markfryer9880]

This show will always be relevant, particularly in countries with a Westminster system of government and a supportive civil service.

[@YD-uq5fi]

This is crazy. Sir Arnold probably appeared for all of 30 minutes across the entire programme.

[@CiceroLounge]

But well worth every minute of his time :) .

[@EdMcF1]

Much more often than Mrs Mainwaring (Elizabeth) in Dad's Army, and he was always a key player.

[@nahianarafat]

Sir Humphrey and Sir Arnold together give me the Holmes brothers vibe🤠

[@weiyufang7874]

that high-pitched sound in the background is so annoying

[@robbietaylor3732]

It's the sound of a good old fashioned CRT TV

[@CiceroLounge]

I do apologise Weiyu :) Hope you did not mind it that much

[@CiceroLounge]

@Tina Yael Severinovna M. Hope the high-pitch isn't too annoying and thanks for the feedback. Hope you enjoyed the video otherwise.

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

Glad it's not just me!

[@midfidelity7180]

@@CiceroLounge I found similar noise with the DVD version from BBC in the first 2 seasons of YM. But I don't think this episode has the same problem. Where did you get the source of this video?

[@foreverwhisper]

British gentlemanship and cunningness to its most.

[@edinscot56789]

You don't see much of Sir Arnold, but you know he really runs things behind the scenes.

[@rubyshah5844]

“Would I, how gratifying”!

[@dilis5105]

"Very reassuring, very reassuring"

[@tomgreene6579]

With all these positions S ir Arnold would never have to buy his own lunch...or dinner!

[@mscott3918]

I remember one minister saying that he hadn't dined at home once in three months.

[@ABC_DEF]

And he'd get free tickets to the Royal Opera and free holidays in the Caribbean.

[@seekerofthetruth1298]

Sir Arnold…… the ultimate iron fist in a velvet glove!

[@robinmyman]

RIP sir.

[@summushieremiasclarkson4700]

Exquisite, every moment of this impeccably well written and performed show.

[@CiceroLounge]

So well-written UltimateXtreme - totally agree.

[@TheNefastor]

As Yoda once said, "always two there are, a master and an apprentice"... 😅

[@yourmum69_420]

I always wondered how Sherlock Holmes' older, smarter brother could have worked in government when governments are always so incompetent. Now I understand... he wasn't a boris johnson or a kier starmer, he was a Sir Arnold.

[@DomWeasel]

Running a country is a whole different beast to winning an election. Boris is a perfect example. Great at amusing the public and spouting slogans but when presented with a crisis requiring actual leadership (Covid Pandemic)... Well, you just have to look at his press statements where he looks absolutely ghastly from stress.

[@shawnkristoferu8303]

Sir Arnold was the best. My favorite character from the Yes Minister & yes Prime Mister series.

[@CiceroLounge]

Totally agree. He has poise and panache

[@Jon908584]

Seconded

[@Jon908584]

In Sir Arnold's world there were only two UK universities and he supported a large increase in Government grants to them.

[@colourfastt]

Jon908584 There are only two English universities.

[@giovanniacuto2688]

Absolutely true. They only created other "universities" to be able to offer lecturing jobs to graduates of the two real universities

[@Levelworm]

And Sir Arnold is the most senior surviving cabinet seceretary! John Nettleton is an English actor best known for playing Sir Arnold Robinson, Cabinet Secretary in Yes Minister and President of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in the follow-up Yes, Prime Minister. Wikipedia Born: February 5, 1929 (age 91 years)

[@vikramkrishnan6414]

I must say the two things I really looked forward to in an episode of YM and YPM were: (1) when Sir Arnold would make an appearance (2) when Hacker would get one over Humpy

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

Ha! Yes, both were meat and drink to me!

[@bizzbarberbarryt747]

this series SHOULD be part of the national education course and would give the next generation a better PERSPECTIVE of how gvrmt ( boys club) really runs and how honest and in the best interest of certain people and the others left to fend for themselves

[@Benforeva]

To change the subject completely

[@Wiintb]

I come here to hear Arnold. Especially, very good question and would I? How gratifying?

[@feifeichen6795]

Oh, how gratifying.

[@hallsterr]

Sir Arnold was a badass

[@ninadsheth8422]

Rest in peace John Nettleton,you were one class act!!

[@ilcorvo9559]

Argh. A recent departure. 94 years. Jolly show old boy. That he outlived his cast members is impressive.

[@andreasfilis9001]

Very sad news indeed.

[@martybourke2428]

One would say, in the fullness of time, after detailed analysis, he was called home.

[@DR-fn1if]

ESP in the winter months - British weather blues.

[@prateekkumar9873]

What a masterpiece of bureaucratic mind sir Arnold. Brilliant writing and acting.

[@1969Wilus]

I was hoping this would be the "Freedom of Information" scene, but never mind, it's still marvellous.

[@matthewquan1529]

1969Wilus "how's the Freedom of information things going on?" "Oh I am not supposed to talk about it"

[@1969Wilus]

Exactly. I always think of it when my employer announces an initiative to improve workplace communication.

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes that's the office buzzword, 'workplace communication' like we don't talk to our colleagues almost every day...

[@seventyfour1833]

The "Freedom of Information" scene is posted now on KZbin. If you do a search for "Yes Minister The next Prime Minister", it should take you almost straight there, It too is extremely funny and brilliant comedy.

[@CiceroLounge]

Great isn't it.

[@jonnnyren6245]

0:18 "could put you away." Sounds very Palpatinian planning to overthrow his Master. Sir Humphrey and Sir Arnold. Every time I see them both I imagine Palpatine and Plagueis.

[@chrisnorton4382]

He said -> "could put your way".

[@Witnessmoo]

Sir Arnold was a colossus… a titan, a man so powerful the earth would shake when he bestrode the halls of Whitehall. Terrifying to think about really.

[@shawnkristoferu8303]

My favorite character of these series, Sir Arnold. President of Anglo Caribbean would provide a chance to be of service specially during Winter months. I worked in Silicon Valley for a company that had outsourced its application support to an English company. Strange as Silicon Valley is center of technology not England but soon I found out why. The English used to travel to California several times in Winter but never in the Summer while the Americans would go to London in the Summer but never in Winter. Poor company used to put up the bill for all the travel & dinning with lots of expensive wines. Then they would increase the cost to the consumers to recover all their cost plus some. I always thought of this episode during those times.

[@victormgv]

Dear god! Still relevant worldwide. This show is amazing!

[@youAbajajTube]

The best quality, timeless satire

[@mscott3918]

I would call it more documentary than satire. I began my career in the Foreign Office back in the seventies and Yes Minister could really have been a televised training course.

[@Herman47]

Love Sir Arnold!

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, he's a great character

[@Choccoxlattejosie]

The acting throughout every episode was perfect, even from those who only appeared in one episode. The proof was when they tried to make a new series years later.

[@davenc8527]

Best television series of all time.

[@emjackson2289]

Brutal in its honesty

[@ahseaton8353]

Brutal? It's just a couple of old friends discussing possible future plans. Simply hoping to be of service somehow... Particularly during the winter months! 😎

[@CNCTEMATIC]

This is ABSOLUTELY how these things are done.

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

As is only proper, I'm sure you'll agree!

[@tombombadil9123]

The government of the UK terminated the agreement on 16 June 1975. Ships of the Royal Navy continued to call periodically at Simon's Town and other South African ports, however the Royal Navy was not able to use any South African ports during the Falklands War.

[@SamvedIyer]

Granting the helpful nature of your comment, I must note that your name indicates that you are a man of culture.

[@conservativemike3768]

Sir Arnold is my Spirit Animal.

[@diomedes8791]

Sir Arnold - the supreme power behind the throne. It is said that while HM the Queen had weekly audiences with the PM, Sir Arnold had weekly audiences with the Queen.

[@sasmac1829]

How true this comedy is in real life

[@AbhishekJain-cc1pi]

This is life.

[@glynthomas6025]

To take a recent example in 2021, it was decided to house refugees in the UK where the accommodation is least expensive (sounds reasonable) and those who do it are private companies who need to make a profit for their owners. So the refugees are mostly now going to the poorest parts of the country (with Labour councils) while Conservative governed councils such as Braintree have had about 10 in the last 5 years (not 100, not 10,000). Hmm. Of course, the poorest areas don't have the facilities to cope with them for schools, doctors, parks but that's now the council's problem.

[@philsooty61]

Met John Nettleton years ago when he was appearing at the Crucible Sheffield, he was a lovely unassuming man and very easy to talk to!

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, John's in his 90s now and even made it to a Doctor Who fan book signing I understand a few years ago. A understated actor, delivering his lines exquisitely

[@RJSRdg]

I never knew he played snooker! ;-)

[@Lisnageeragh]

Sir Arnold would not have to buy his own lunch for years!

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, imagine all the complimentary Curried Goat and fried plantain served at the Anglo-Caribbean Association in between dining at the Bank 🏦 of England! :-)

[@drottercat]

The mandarin class. I wonder how different from this is the Cabinet Office today.

[@CiceroLounge]

Probably quite a lot as the late Gus O'Donnell pointed out in a documentary a few years ago about the civil service. I imagine it has a very different modern ethos now. Given the recent call from those advisers to the current PM for greater longevity of post in the service, it seems it's now criticised for being too transitory.

[@TheRichardSpearman]

I think that with Sir Arnold as Cabinet Secretary, certain modern appointments in Number Ten would not have been made......

[@freebornjohn2687]

I don't think they can recruit the calibre of people these days - Humphrey would be a City lawyer, no doubt making more than all the cabinet and the cabinet secretaries put together.

[@semperidem2577]

Everyone seems to be enjoying this as if it isn't really true and that it's some form of satire. We peons are laughing but the joke is well and truly on us.

[@CiceroLounge]

Maybe? *thanks for joining in with the chat*

[@freebornjohn2687]

I always took it was certainly close to the bone, but it satirises both civil servants and the stupidity and vanity of the politicians in equal measure. Its enlightening to see Thatcher talking of her great admiration and praise for the civil servants who served her. Ultimately, the politicians have to come up with policies that are in the country's interest, can be sold to the public and can be implemented. I can't imagine how demoralising it must be to have anything to do with HS2, goes on for years, back and forth, and still probably not going to be built.

[@jackburton5]

Don’t wear headphones 👂🏾🎧👂🏾😵 high pitched sound in the background will hurt your eardrums. Edit but do enjoy the two best characters in the show

[@benfearnley2825]

It's strange to me that John Nettleton (Who played Sir Arnold) is still alive while Nigel Hawthorne (Who played Sir Humphrey) unfortunately left all of us sometime ago. I mention this because somehow Arnold always seem like he was older when Mr Nettleton who plays him was the exact same age as Sir Hawthorne. A sign of a great actor, that he was able to carry such dignity and experience that it made someone his equal in age seem his junior. The world is darker for the loss of Sir Hawthorne and when Mr Nettleton eventually leaves us it will be darker still.

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, I think I came across a picture of him and some other actors signing autographs for a Dr. Who fan convention and he's aged gracefully i think.

[@johnking5174]

John is 90 years old and enjoying his retirement

[@CiceroLounge]

@@johnking5174 And he is one of the finest actors to play a government role :)

[@johnking5174]

@@CiceroLounge I saw him last week on an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey playing a judge, he was fantastic.

[@CiceroLounge]

@@johnking5174 John Nettleton is a legend- he was in Brideshead as well. He is a wonderful actor

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

Cut-throat, conniving, and devious; wrapped in an air of formalities and pleasantries.

[@DonWan47]

Great scene.

[@sabriya7647]

Why have I only discovered this now? I wish it continued

[@taxidude]

I think we all suspect that this is closer to fact than to fiction.

[@ilesalmo7724]

Ol' Boys Club scratching each other's backs

[@benschmidt3967]

aarrgh the old boys club. chums looking after chums.

[@toerag572]

You think these two are chums? They'd be perfectly happy to stab each other in the back, given the correct circumstances!

[@supremeworld87]

It wasn't quite that simple. Sir Arnold was the one Sir Humphrey always turned to for advice when he was struggling to defeat Hacker. He was his mentor so they do have what could be called a friendship

[@DieFlabbergast]

Quite so. But the fact remains that either of these two would undoubtedly have stabbed their own mothers in the back if their careers were at stake.

[@ghosty918]

This isn't chums looking after chums, this is brokering a deal. If Arnold appoints Humphrey then Humphrey will suppress some embarrassing incidents and push for Arnold's appointment in certain job positions.

[@artofthepossible7329]

@@ghosty918 Which in the Civil Service is chums looking after chums.

[@modelcitizen2028]

2:14 The way Sir Arnold says ""Good" shows the mask of civility slipping - he's obviously a very tough negotiator, used to getting his way in Whitehall.

[@andersonklein3587]

Next to Arnold, Humphrey always feels very immature and outsmarted. If the role was to portray someone who is in complete control and impeccably effective, the actor did a good job.

[@nickcormier8571]

Not an itchy back to be found, with all that scratching going on.

[@williamdrijver4141]

Both white collar criminals, but Capo di Tutti Capi of the Civil Service Sir Arnold Robinson is my favourite! :-)

[@jdsmith542]

Still true, regardless of year or even nation.

[@CiceroLounge]

Totally agree - it's timeless really :)

[@farshimelt]

The only thing that stains the humor is that it's true.

[@fav9619]

Whenever one hears "to change the subject completely", one knows something important is coming up. "Incidentally, Master, to change the subject completely...when do you award your honorary doctorates?" " Incidentally, to change the subject completely, you remember the new Ministry Co-Partnership Commission...the chairmanship hasn't been filled yet?"

[@richardlloyd2589]

Not sure how often it appeared, but “could I ask a hypothetical question?”

[@scavenger6268]

@@richardlloyd2589 Almost every scene of Hacker seeking Humphrey's advice. I think that also the phrase, "There might be..." or, "Have you heard..." are sure signs that someone is going to be bribed or blackmailed.

[@vikaskale999]

Screeching sound in script to give tinnitus to listeners, is that how you acknowledge fans

[@readsomebooks666]

Ok, this has been bugging me. What was the first thing Arnold said he'd be doing? Chairman of what precisely? The best I can hear was 'Bonk Oxidon Tower' and I rather doubt it's that.

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, I've wondered on that as Banque Occidental translates to West or Western Bank. There is the Banco da África Ocidental, but don't know of any bank with that name.

[@williamdrijver4141]

Yes Minister dates from 1980 till 1988. Societe de Banque Occidentale was created by a merger in 1981 (Was part of Credit Lyonnais). I think that's the one Sir Arnold mentions

[@readsomebooks666]

That’s exactly it. Whatever happened to it?

[@lhia0416]

Hard to think Sir Frank didn't think to ask the right questions...

[@kezblu]

lhia0416 Poor Sir Frank was always just a little bit behind the curve.

[@SMAXZO]

Then again, Sir Frank might've been complacent, nestled in the Treasury and all.

[@VitoDuval]

R I P .

[@catholicmilitantUSA]

Hmm i think re-opening the Simonstown naval base IS a very sensible strategic move :D can the Cabinet Secretary suggest it in 2024 :p?

[@user-yy4eu6pb3m]

You skipped the most important part, sir Arnold decided to become the head of the open information committee, so that the use of information will not be "abused" (by his successor), this act as a safety for him so that sir Humphrey dared not to expose his advices 😂

[@surendr3645]

Where are the script writers these days? There seems to be none these days. Quality has plummeted.

[@johnboyginger]

Sir Humphrey is Darth Vader, Sir Arnold Palpatine.

[@salimtufail]

General Melchett vs Sir Arnold Robinson. Difficult to pick the winner!

[@CiceroLounge]

Yes, both quite privileged though Arnold is a lot shrewder and wouldn't get as sentimental over a dead pigeon 😊

[@MasteringJohn]

The difference is that Sir Arnold is actually very good at his job...well, at least in terms of how the Civil Service would define a "good job".

[@yonisali3879]

I am of the Sir Arnold persuasion getting things done while looking as pompous and self satisfied as possible makes for excellent TV but in real life pomposity is very counter productive even when it has the talent to vouch for it.

[@CiceroLounge]

Like your thinking here :)

[@CiceroLounge]

interesting match BAAAAHHH! :)

[@listen2meokidoki264]

A very busy man indeed....Well, busy men for that matter.