Synopsis: The year is 2010 and ex-PM Tony Blair is engaged in a variety of fantasy projects to showcase what he imagines is the precious "legacy" that bequeaths the UK. Meanwhile, Blair is being stalked by the growing specter of being tried for war crimes at The Hague, a menace whose potential steadily increases as Blair's ex-buddies -- notably new PM Gordon Brown and the White House (now occupied by President Hillary, who's seeking her second term) -- have excellent realpolitik reasons for consigning Blair to the International Court of Justice. BTW, the show explains that Blair remained in office until 2010, instead of leaving as announced in 2007, because joint military action by British, American and Israeli armed forces against Iran was followed by a wave of suicide bombings in Britain, requiring Blair to stay on as PM to restore "stability" to the UK.
Robert Lindsay does an exceptional job portraying Blair as a needy, greedy narcissist with a smarmy perma-grin and the rapid blink of an anxious, conniving and hopelessly deluded man. It's a joy to see Blair being arraigned in a common UK criminal court prior to be deported for his war-crimes trial. Blair is enraged that the judge asks him to identify himself and otherwise treats him as a common suspect. "You don't seem to understand the situation," Blair informs the judge, who responds, "No, *you* don't seem to understand the situation." Peter Mullan plays Blair's nemesis Gordon Brown and (judging from the limited knowledge I have of Brown's persona from media accounts) provides a highly accurate portrayal of Brown as the world's dourest Scot.
There are many priceless moments in this show, among them: One morning at breakfast Tony B. is perusing the newspaper and has this exchange with wife Cherie:
Tony Blair: Oh my God. George is back in rehab. Cherie Blair: George? Tony Blair: Bush. George Bush. Oh God, he was found comatose on his ranch. Cherie Blair: [drily] I'm surprised anyone noticed.
World Socialist Web Site review: <http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/jan2007/blai-j23.shtml>
A couple of clips: <http://www.channel4.com/more4/drama/t/trial_tony/index.html>
Carl
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