Grid Effect

Ricky Gervais likes to torment the character of Andy Millman. This isn’t anything new, Andy has consistently been humiliated in some of the most elaborate ways. But last night was embarassing for not only Andy but for everyone watching. Not only was Andy embarassed, but even the viewers who knew the backstory probably didn’t feel much sympathy for him, whereas in past episodes, we recognized him as a character of misfortune, so to speak.

I was somewhat surprised Andy was so deeply concerned with the opinion his former high school classmate held of him. His desperation to appease the homecoming king was sad more than anything (is anyone still that concerned about there high school reputation in there forties?), regardless the situation breeded humor. I am not sure if Andy is homophobic, I honestly do not think he is, but the fact he was so bound and determined to display his virility too impress an old classmate was probably more cringe inducing than if he were a hate mongerer.

I cannot blame him for refusing to kiss in the play (though it probably would have been a much easier situation had he done so). The way Ian McLellan sprung it on him at the last second was a tad unreasonable, I have never acted in my life, but I would imagine that even if Andy were kissing a girl, it’s something that requires a certain degree of mental preparation, especially for theater actors, I can’t fathom doing that (more or less) impromptu. Even though Andy seemingly refused to do it for all the wrong reasons (not wanting too be mocked by his old classmate), I can understand being apprehensive about it.

(Though I did like Andy’s explanation to the crowd for his hesitancy, “McLellan sprung this on me backstage five minutes before we opened”. Something about Andy uising only his last name struck a chord in me. Also, given that Ian McLellan is openly gay, and its the theater, wouldn’t Andy consider the possibility that it was a gay play? Would that have been presumptuous?)

In one of the funnier scenes from Extras, with the advice from the suave former classmate, Darren managed to ask out Maggie. And because she is so dimwitted, accepted the offer. Apparently everyone else besides those two realized how oddly casual they approached it the prospect of them dating, considering they have known each other for years. But the determining factor that led to Maggie skipping out on the date (the explanation for why Darren was preoccupied with the bathroom) had me keeling over. Regrettably, it was never rehashed by either Darren or Maggie to Andy, because either Maggie’s dismay of it all or Darren’s cluelessness followed by Andy’s reaction would have been something to behold.

Definitely the best episode so far, with the Daniel Radcliffe episode a close second. Only one more episode left to end another short season (not comparatively short, though, the British Office series didn’t even topple fifteen episodes) so it will probably stay that way.

More to come later today, maybe some links, maybe a short synposis on the Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel I watched last night. Until then…