This is the third series, and the show is into its stride, with more and more crystalisation of themes and characterisation. Jamesie and Ella try for a child, Mary suffers from a life-threatening hospital companion and gets a job with a lecherous boss, and Rab goes through the motions in more than one way, enlisting a vet's syringe and a transexual barmaid in his romps across Glasgow's seamier side. Burnie is designated talented, and he and Gash are seduced by fish and chips on the seashore by posh relatives Shug and Phoebe while Rab frets about his wife's health. The best moment however has to be the Govan Mothercare and all its merchandise - wouldn't want to spoil it here, but watch out for what's under Jamesie's jacket - a moment of pure genius in fleshing out the milieu.

The best thing about this series is that it is not too outspoken, it shows rather than tells. The problem with some sitcoms is that they dip too heavily into politics and treatises on justice spout from unlikely lips, but Rab is social without being socialist. Rab's return from jail provokes rebellion from his family - against scum..."Forward with Britain, backwards with Govan, and sideways with Dunoon". It's always funny even when spouting rhetoric - just the panacea for the diet of self-righteous and "everything's happy now but look how dreadful it was in the past" comedy elsewhere. People are always - people. Rab will always be - Rab, regardless who's in Number 10.

Just remember though - join the system and we give you a cigarette - cause trouble and we give you the wheelchair...

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