In

Amazingly, 'In' is the first episode to show Arthur Daley selling a dodgy motor to a mug punter, and maybe the first in which George Cole became the main star, with Dennis Waterman being relegated to a supporting role - perhaps they should've renamed it 'The Arthur Daley Comedy Hour' at this point.

'In' is a great finale in which the German police (though not Sgt Rycott) are convinced that Arthur Daley is the ringleader of a trans European drug smuggling gang - cue lots of pompous jibes from Arthur about WW2 and the German's liking for documents and interrogating people. As usual, Terry does all the hard graft in trying to prove his innocence, but typically Arthur shows scant gratitude and thinks it's all down to him. Brian Cox does a great turn as the Scottish hard nut who lands Arthur right in it, and the fight scene between him and Terry McCann is arguably the best in 'Minder' history.

Series 3 cemented Minder's status as both a ratings behemoth and comedy classic; interestingly, the Charles & Diana wedding poster on Arthur's wall gives a clue as to when this fine episode was made.

Arthur buys a car imported from Germany. Moments later the Ol' Bill swoops in, seizes the car and Daley's in jail.

Turns out the investigation is being spearheaded by the Hun. A pipe-smoking Hun. His interrogation of Arthur at the local precinct allows George Cole to tee up some very funny material.

He gets tossed back in the can, where he has to wait out the weekend until he can appear before the magistrate on Monday to enter a plea. In comes some past associate called The Ferret. More funny lines ensue.

Terry tries to help out by doing some Sweeney-style street-level investigating. Some fistfights ensue. Including a decent punch-up with a (female) nurse and a then an amazing slugfest on a moving double-decker bus.

Lots of fun.

A very muscular episode which sees Terry McCann in several fight scenes. One with a Scots lass.

Arthur is buys a car from Scotsman Frank McFadden (Brian Cox) who has imported them from Germany.

Later Arthur is taken in for questioning in a joint German/British police operation. A BMW might have drugs hidden inside it.

Arthur's solicitor does not want to know due to unpaid bills.

Although DS Ronnie Rycott knows drugs is not Arthur's style. The German Inspector is convinced that Arthur is up to no good.

It is left to Terry to find McFadden to clear Arthur's name.

It is unusual to see Arthur sweating in the police cells. He cuts a lonely figure.

Rycott even sends in Billy 'The Ferret' (Russell Hunter) to the same cell as Arthur in the hope that Arthur might spill the beans. It is a reference to an earlier story when Roy Kinnear popped when Terry was in the cells.

In another unusual move, Arthur threatens violence to The Ferret.

A good combination of humour and a hard edged story. Arthur cannot help referencing the war when he finds out that he is being interrogated by a German.

I think this was an episode that was planned as a closure to the overall series by this point a massive hit.

Arthur gets mixed up with some very dodgy car dealers and ends up as a drug baron suspect .

Terry does his best to help Arthur and in the process ends up in arguably one of the best punch ups ever seen in the whole series.

A cinematic feel to this one with some very good mood music and lots of long shots and a some great dialogue between Arthur and the police characters.

Would have made a superb closing episode But was far too good to leave it here.