Dad's Army (TV Series) A Brush with the Law (1972) User Reviews

Put that light out!!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 3 January 2021]

ARP Warden Hodges finally has something on Mainwaring, a forgotten, blazing light.

It's a funny courtroom episode, with some smart dialogue, funny performances, and of course there's the rivalry between Mainwaring and Square. It's more an interesting episode as opposed to a side splitter, we get several laughs, but this serves more as a pointer of how serious it was to leave a light on.

It's a very strong performance by Arthur Lowe all round, I enjoyed watching Mainwaring stand up to Square about his men, I also enjoyed his court appearance. It's a good one for The Verger too.

Funny, one that has you totally on Mainwaring's side. 7/10.

Falls short of its strong potential

[phantom_tollbooth · 6/10 · 7 July 2023]

This episode has a great premise but I felt it fell somewhat short of its potential. The notion of a Dad's Army courtroom drama with Mainwaring defending himself over accusations of leaving a light burning in the church hall is ripe with potential, with Hodges being delighted at having finally "got 'im" and Captain Square's role as his magistrate further stacking the deck against Mainwaring. Unfortunately, the courtroom stuff is a bit underwritten and struggles to pick a direction. The twist with Walker blackmailing Square seems sufficient to me without having to have the stuff with the guilty Verger sweating it out. I also thought the plot with the Verger tipped its hand too early, and that it would've been better to have him burst in at the end and admit his guilt so as to maintain a sense of doubt over whether Mainwaring was guilty or not. Having the Verger constantly trying to confess throughout takes away all of the tension as it's obvious what the eventual outcome will be. Still, there are some good laughs with Jones in the witness box and it's nice to once again see the troops rally round for one of their own.