Ep 5. Bed of Nails

In "Bed of Nails," the fifth episode of Yes, Minister's third season, we see Jim Hacker in a very challenging position. He is desperate for a knighthood, but it seems that none of his recent actions has been impressive enough to earn him one. Meanwhile, Sir Humphrey Appleby is trying to persuade the Minister to agree to a new appointment of his own - something that is against Hacker's better judgement. However, Sir Humphrey is cunning, and he knows how to manipulate Hacker to get what he wants.

The Minister is presented with a new initiative called the "National Integrated Database," which will help the government keep track of citizens and their behavior patterns. Sir Humphrey is very keen on this idea and believes that the Minister should push for its implementation. However, the Minister is not so sure about the ethical implications of such a system, and he's worried it might attract negative attention from the press.

In the meantime, the Minister's personal ambition comes into play when he hears that a notorious department store is offering its customers a "bed of nails" experience. He decides to take part in this stunt, hoping that this will be his ticket to a knighthood. Sir Humphrey is initially horrified by this idea, but he realizes the potential of the situation and starts to get involved in the Minister's quest for knighthood.

As the episode progresses, we see the Minister grappling with the moral implications of the National Integrated Database while also getting caught up in the stunt - which turns out to be rather painful. Sir Humphrey, cleverly manipulating the situation, manages to turn the bed of nails experience into a PR opportunity for the Minister, which backfires in unexpected ways.

The episode is a classic example of the show's ability to blend humor and political commentary. The characters are all well-developed, and the witty banter between the Minister and Sir Humphrey is as sharp as ever.

"Bed of Nails" touches on several themes that are still relevant today, such as privacy rights and the role of government in our lives. The episode is particularly critical of politicians who are swayed by personal ambition rather than acting in the best interests of their constituents.

Overall, "Bed of Nails" is an engaging and entertaining episode that keeps the viewer on their toes. It highlights the strengths of the Yes, Minister series, which continues to be a cult classic for those who love political satire and intelligent comedy.