The Thick Of It

There's a reshuffle in the offing and the PM's new 'blue skies' advisor is making trouble.

The pressure is on at the Department of Social Affairs: there's a reshuffle and outside advisor, Julius Nicholson is investigating the structure of all Government departments. Will the department survive? Will Hugh survive? And could promotion be in the air?

With the reshuffle pending, Hugh wants a new policy announcement which will impress the Prime Minister, only to discover that it's common knowledge that the PM's wife doesn't like him. It's news to Hugh, painful news. He tries to take it manfully, but doesn't.

Meanwhile, as the paranoia and game-playing begins, Nicholson drops into Malcolm's office, sniffing around the department. Nicholson wants access to various papers, people and meetings. Malcolm is as obstructive as he can be, right up to the point of insubordination.

They both hint at the power that flows to them from the PM, and the closeness of their ties. A childish power-play ensues - Nicholson drops in that he plays tennis with the PM and Malcolm says he has every Sunday breakfast with the PM and his family.

Hugh's possible appearance on Question Time has fallen through and he's freaking out about his profile. He decides his final chance to put in a good show before the reshuffle is to host a successful party for the press. Only for Nicholson to rain on his parade: the Treasury has also arranged a last minute bash that night.

Malcolm is sick of Nicholson hanging around. He can't wait any longer - later that night he decides to f**k him up. With the help of Hugh, Ollie and Glenn he plots and conspires to destabilise Nicholson. How? The oldest trick in the book, Chinese whispers.