Post by rhort on Mar 15, 2013 4:27:15 GMT -5
This episode begins with the culmination of an issue that has been brewing effectively since the start of S1E1, bringing to a head the matters arising from the state of Gary and Yvonne’s marriage. As the two enter, Yvonne is hitting Gary with a barrage of negativity surrounding his recent behaviour at a high brow party they’ve just been to, which Gary doesn’t seem to have much of an excuse for, as it appears that, as is usual for him, he’s been focussing only on his own discomfort, and failing to take into account the impact his actions might have had for Yvonne. As Yvonne switches tack slightly to talk about her more general feelings of unhappiness, Gary’s retort highlights the issue of his opinion seeming unimportant to her, focussing on their recent house move, which Yvonne rationalises that he was involved with at every important stage, however, as the argument intensifies, the deep-rooted issues that exist between the two of them are quickly exposed, leading Yvonne to suggest that they should actually split up.
Briefly to the Oak, and we find that Reg’s arrival, and subsequent gossip about local affairs prompts Phoebe to take a more serious look at the issue of Gary’s frequent absences, particularly in light of the local man they’re talking about who has just left his wife for someone he’s been having an affair with for an extended period, despite the fact he was previously thought of as a man of good moral character. This is something that’s been examined at various points throughout the series, however, on this occasion, it seems that Phoebe is taking it a lot more seriously, suddenly seeing a bigger picture of Gary’s general lack of substance when it comes to explaining where he’s been and why, rather than her usual analysis which concentrates on the specifics of his individual absences, thus allowing him to repeatedly concoct plausible, but ultimately quite flimsy excuses.
Arriving dejected and suitcase-in-hand at Ron’s flat, Gary disturbs him whilst he is ‘entertaining’ his new love interest, Flic. Ron is quite put out by this, but does come around to the realisation that he needs to do something to help quite quickly, and as Gary sits down and starts to talk to Flic, Ron is hovering defensively, trying it seems to guide the conversation away from certain topics, revealing after Flic has gone to get more champagne that he’s worked his way into her affections by embellishing certain elements of his life story, most specifically that he is a wealthy businessman, owning a business empire as well as large shares of other financially beneficial interests. When Gary takes it upon himself to point out the morality of such actions, Ron is quick to return the questions to Gary with regards to his own back stories. After some debate, Ron, eager to get rid of Gary as soon as possible, persuades him to call Yvonne and ask for forgiveness, which he does, however, Yvonne is not in the mood and simply swears at him and hangs up.
Running from pillar to post looking for some form of solace, Gary heads for the Royal Oak, but finds only Phoebe wanting to talk seriously about what he’s up to. Managing to put her off momentarily, Gary finds that the next morning her desire for information has not abated, and making his usual excuse for a quick exit is met with a firm response from Phoebe that she’s not leaving it at that on this occasion, which causes him something of a moment of panic, the net result of which being him accidentally calling her ‘Yvonne’. Gary rushing off a moment later doesn’t help things at all, and Phoebe’s suspicions only grow, and on seeing this, Reg sets off out into the street to follow Gary for her to see where he goes, only to return within seconds having lost him.
Heading back to Ron’s flat, primarily to see if there’s been a call from Yvonne, Gary finds the place empty, and seeing a message waiting on the answerphone, he listens to it hopefully, but it turns out to be message for Ron from Flic. In typical ‘Television Land’ style, it’s whilst he’s listening to the message that Ron makes his entrance, and immediately takes offence to Gary’s multiple breaches of his privacy. As Gary puts him on the back foot with his panicking about Yvonne, Ron returns to his usual role of trying to calm him down, causing the conversation to dissolve into various blokey references. As they discuss things further, Ron gets a call from Flic, and has to leave.
Returning to his flat, ostensibly to “pick up some clothes”, Gary finds Yvonne there, but in no real mood to talk. Thinking that he has a handle on the situation, Gary is doubly shocked to find that Yvonne is not alone, as she introduces her interior designer, in the shape of Italian hunk Roberto, which automatically puts Gary on the offensive, indirectly accusing her of having an affair with him, and almost leading to a fight.
Retreating to the 40s, Gary appears to have taken very much against the Italians in general, however, this doesn’t distract Phoebe in any way from what she wants to discuss with him, and she confronts him about the affair she believes he is having with his boss, Yvonne. With his mind working overtime, a flustered Gary babbles for a moment as he works out what to say, and then comes out with a reason for his mistake, telling Phoebe that Yvonne has been kidnapped by a rogue Italian agent, and this explains not only why he’s thinking a lot about Yvonne, but also why he’s taken against the Italians so strongly. This certainly appears to have the desired effect on Phoebe, and Gary is able to make his exit, back to the 90s.
Treating Ron to a meal in a very expensive restaurant turns out to be Gary’s way of telling him that he wants to ‘borrow’ Flic, to give the impression to Yvonne, who’s due in the same restaurant later, that she is his girlfriend in an effort to make her jealous. When Yvonne arrives, Gary is laying things on with Flic really heavily, however, Yvonne doesn’t look at all impressed, and does her best to ignore Gary. When Roberto turns up to join Yvonne, Gary makes an excuse to bump into her, but it turns out that the ruse of his ‘accidental’ meeting with her falls flat, as she is a step ahead of him once again.
After a moment or two of conversational jousting, they finally talk more candidly, and when Gary lays his cards on the table about Flic, Yvonne reveals that she already knew, however, she fails to understand just what she’s doing with Ron. When she eventually relents about their separation, she tells Gary in no uncertain terms that he’ll need to behave from now on, especially at her corporate events, which he has no real choice but to agree to. As Gary and Yvonne leave together, along with Roberto, Ron is then left in a panic because it means he’ll be the one who has to pay for the meal. Flic seems delighted at the prospect of not having to economise on Gary’s account, however, this doesn’t stop Ron trying to persuade her otherwise.
I’d give this episode a 75% rating. Quite serious subject matter means not many big laughs here, and a lot of time seems to be spent in an effort to make us feel sorry for Gary, who has things his own way so often.
Briefly to the Oak, and we find that Reg’s arrival, and subsequent gossip about local affairs prompts Phoebe to take a more serious look at the issue of Gary’s frequent absences, particularly in light of the local man they’re talking about who has just left his wife for someone he’s been having an affair with for an extended period, despite the fact he was previously thought of as a man of good moral character. This is something that’s been examined at various points throughout the series, however, on this occasion, it seems that Phoebe is taking it a lot more seriously, suddenly seeing a bigger picture of Gary’s general lack of substance when it comes to explaining where he’s been and why, rather than her usual analysis which concentrates on the specifics of his individual absences, thus allowing him to repeatedly concoct plausible, but ultimately quite flimsy excuses.
Arriving dejected and suitcase-in-hand at Ron’s flat, Gary disturbs him whilst he is ‘entertaining’ his new love interest, Flic. Ron is quite put out by this, but does come around to the realisation that he needs to do something to help quite quickly, and as Gary sits down and starts to talk to Flic, Ron is hovering defensively, trying it seems to guide the conversation away from certain topics, revealing after Flic has gone to get more champagne that he’s worked his way into her affections by embellishing certain elements of his life story, most specifically that he is a wealthy businessman, owning a business empire as well as large shares of other financially beneficial interests. When Gary takes it upon himself to point out the morality of such actions, Ron is quick to return the questions to Gary with regards to his own back stories. After some debate, Ron, eager to get rid of Gary as soon as possible, persuades him to call Yvonne and ask for forgiveness, which he does, however, Yvonne is not in the mood and simply swears at him and hangs up.
Running from pillar to post looking for some form of solace, Gary heads for the Royal Oak, but finds only Phoebe wanting to talk seriously about what he’s up to. Managing to put her off momentarily, Gary finds that the next morning her desire for information has not abated, and making his usual excuse for a quick exit is met with a firm response from Phoebe that she’s not leaving it at that on this occasion, which causes him something of a moment of panic, the net result of which being him accidentally calling her ‘Yvonne’. Gary rushing off a moment later doesn’t help things at all, and Phoebe’s suspicions only grow, and on seeing this, Reg sets off out into the street to follow Gary for her to see where he goes, only to return within seconds having lost him.
Heading back to Ron’s flat, primarily to see if there’s been a call from Yvonne, Gary finds the place empty, and seeing a message waiting on the answerphone, he listens to it hopefully, but it turns out to be message for Ron from Flic. In typical ‘Television Land’ style, it’s whilst he’s listening to the message that Ron makes his entrance, and immediately takes offence to Gary’s multiple breaches of his privacy. As Gary puts him on the back foot with his panicking about Yvonne, Ron returns to his usual role of trying to calm him down, causing the conversation to dissolve into various blokey references. As they discuss things further, Ron gets a call from Flic, and has to leave.
Returning to his flat, ostensibly to “pick up some clothes”, Gary finds Yvonne there, but in no real mood to talk. Thinking that he has a handle on the situation, Gary is doubly shocked to find that Yvonne is not alone, as she introduces her interior designer, in the shape of Italian hunk Roberto, which automatically puts Gary on the offensive, indirectly accusing her of having an affair with him, and almost leading to a fight.
Retreating to the 40s, Gary appears to have taken very much against the Italians in general, however, this doesn’t distract Phoebe in any way from what she wants to discuss with him, and she confronts him about the affair she believes he is having with his boss, Yvonne. With his mind working overtime, a flustered Gary babbles for a moment as he works out what to say, and then comes out with a reason for his mistake, telling Phoebe that Yvonne has been kidnapped by a rogue Italian agent, and this explains not only why he’s thinking a lot about Yvonne, but also why he’s taken against the Italians so strongly. This certainly appears to have the desired effect on Phoebe, and Gary is able to make his exit, back to the 90s.
Treating Ron to a meal in a very expensive restaurant turns out to be Gary’s way of telling him that he wants to ‘borrow’ Flic, to give the impression to Yvonne, who’s due in the same restaurant later, that she is his girlfriend in an effort to make her jealous. When Yvonne arrives, Gary is laying things on with Flic really heavily, however, Yvonne doesn’t look at all impressed, and does her best to ignore Gary. When Roberto turns up to join Yvonne, Gary makes an excuse to bump into her, but it turns out that the ruse of his ‘accidental’ meeting with her falls flat, as she is a step ahead of him once again.
After a moment or two of conversational jousting, they finally talk more candidly, and when Gary lays his cards on the table about Flic, Yvonne reveals that she already knew, however, she fails to understand just what she’s doing with Ron. When she eventually relents about their separation, she tells Gary in no uncertain terms that he’ll need to behave from now on, especially at her corporate events, which he has no real choice but to agree to. As Gary and Yvonne leave together, along with Roberto, Ron is then left in a panic because it means he’ll be the one who has to pay for the meal. Flic seems delighted at the prospect of not having to economise on Gary’s account, however, this doesn’t stop Ron trying to persuade her otherwise.
I’d give this episode a 75% rating. Quite serious subject matter means not many big laughs here, and a lot of time seems to be spent in an effort to make us feel sorry for Gary, who has things his own way so often.