谢分享。[Yes Prime Minister, S1E7P3]简介：

来源: 于 2011-07-05 16:02:50 [博客] [旧帖] [给我悄悄话] 本文已被阅读：次

Yes Prime Minister, S1E7P3

YPM 1.7 - The Bishop’s Gambit　（ZT）
First airtime BBC: 20 February 1986
Length: 30 minutes

Plot: Jim, Humphrey and Bernard are watching the news on television. In it is an item on a British nurse that was arrested in Qumran for possession of a bottle of whisky. She risks being imprisoned for ten years plus forty lashes. Jim wants the Foreign Office to intervene on behalf of the nurse, but Sir Humphrey explains that this will only harm the British relationship with Qumran. Then Bernard reminds Jim that he has to decide who will become the new bishop at Bury St. Edmunds. Although he will be able to choose from two names, it will be a conjuring trick: the Church will make sure Jim will pick the right name.

Sir Humphrey rushes off to a dinner engagement at Baillie College. The Master tells him that when he retires four years from now, he would like Sir Humphrey to become the new Master of Baillie College. Sir Humphrey is honoured. But there is a problem: the Dean of Baillie is opposing this. The Master is wondering whether they can get rid off the Dean. He would be interested in becoming a bishop, for instance at Bury St. Edmunds. Sir Humphrey however feels this is not possible as the Church has already decided on a candidate. But he recommends that they sent the Dean to Qumran to see whether he can intervene on behalf of the nurse. If he succeeds it will help for a future appointment, if he doesn't succeed it won't be held against him, and if he doesn't return he won't be missed.

Next morning, Peter - the chairman of the Crown Appointments Commission - has a meeting with Jim about the bishopric of Bury St. Edmunds. The Commission has put up two names for Jim to choose from. The first name is Canon Mike Stanford. He is a modernist, has the appropriate background and education, and has a very suitable wife. The second name is Dr. Paul Harvey. He is suspected of disestablishmentarianism. Jim doesn't understand, but Peter explains that this is the view that Church and State should be separated. Jim asks why his name is on the list then. Peter replies that he isn't actually a disestablishmentarianist, but he seems to be leaning that way.

After Peter has left, Sir Humphrey explains that a modernist is the Church code for non-believer. Jim Hacker is staggered. Why would the Church want to appoint a non-believer? Sir Humphrey explains that the Church of England is much more a social organisation than a religious one. So bishops have to be right sort of people for social events, while their religious beliefs are irrelevant. When Bernard reads out Canon Mike Stanford's CV. It turns out he is a left wing radical. He will be able to attack the government in the House, as the bishopric of Bury St. Edmunds also has a seat in the House of Lords. Jim is not happy with having to choose between someone that wants God out of the Church of England, and another one that wants the Queen out. Sir Humphrey suggests he could turn down both candidates, but this is highly unusual so not recommended.

At home, his wife Annie helps him to decide. She suggests to turn down Canon Mike Stanford because of his questionable religious beliefs. Thus the Commission will have to come up with two new names. Bernard also comes by and informs Jim that the Dean of Baillie will go to Qumran to negotiate on behalf of the nurse. The Foreign Office wants Jim to prevent this, but Jim supports it.

And the Dean of Baillie is successful in releasing the nurse from Qumran. The Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office is aghast by this success. Sir Humphrey fears that the press will now focus on the fact that the Dean succeeded where the Foreign Office failed. He suggests to the Permanent Secretary that they tell the press it was Jim Hacker's idea to sent the Dean to Qumran. And after that they leak that the Foreign Office suggested this idea to the PM. So everyone gets the credit, and no chance Jim Hacker will ever deny it wasn't his idea.

After the Permanent Secretary has left, Sir Humphrey talks to the Master of Baillie College on the phone. He informs the Master it might be possible for the Dean to become bishop of Bury St. Edmunds after all.
Next Peter drops in about the bishopric of Bury St. Edmunds. The Commission has come up with only one possible candidate: Stephen Soames. Sir Humphrey however tells him that the PM wants to be able to choose between two candidates. He suggests to add the Dean of Baillie College. He ensures Peter there is no chance the Dean will be chosen by the PM.

Jim Hacker is thrilled by all the press coverage that is giving him credit for the Dean's rescue mission. Then he and Sir Humphrey look at the recommendations list for the bishopric of Bury St. Edmunds. Jim favours Stephen Soames. Sir Humphrey points out that Stephen Soames is very religious and will likely attack the government on issues like abortion, contraception, easy divorce, etc. Sir Humphrey also tells Jim he has learned the Dean is planning to tell the press the idea of going to Qumran didn't come from the PM. Jim now grasps that the best choice as bishop is the Dean of Baillie College.

Top 5 Quotes

  1. Sir Humphrey: "The Church is looking for a candidate to maintain the balance."
    Master of Baillie College: "What balance?"
    Sir Humphrey: "Between those that believe in God and those that don't."
  2. Sir Humphrey: "Bishops tend to have long lives. Apparently the Lord isn't all that keen on them to join him."
  3. Sir Humphrey: "The PM never thinks it is silly to appoint people who are vain and incompetent. Look at the Cabinet."
  4. Sir Humphrey: The Queen is inseparable from the Church of England."
    Jim Hacker: "And what about God?"
    Sir Humphrey: I think he is what is called an optional extra."
  5. Jim Hacker: "The Foreign Office will never get the Cabinet to agree to this policy."
    Sir Humphrey: "The Foreign Office never expect the Cabinet to agree with any of their policies. That is why they never fully explain them."

    http://www.yes-minister.com/ypmseas1b.htm