Director: John Henderson
Cast: Steve Coogan (Tommy Saxondale), Ruth Jones (Magz), Rasmus Hardiker (Raymond), Morwenna Banks (Vicky), James Bachman (Alistair), Darren Boyd (Jonathan) & Kevin Eldon (Martin)
Tommy saves the life of a suicidal man called Martin, but finds his life taken over by Martin's depressing presence...This episode benefits greatly from having a simple comic idea that isn't tied to the insular world of ex-roadies and pest control. Tommy (Steve Coogan) becomes a hero when he talks a suicidal man called Martin down from a warehouse roof he's decontaminating.
Martin (Kevin Eldon), a food artist who "paints grey food brown" for packaging, soon becomes an unwelcome regular at the Saxondale household, turning the atmosphere sour with his dour, depressing anecdotes and grumblings about life.
For once, Tommy's actions and attitude toward Martin is something universal, which makes a change from the injokery of the 70s music scene. Martin, brilliantly played by Eldon, who channels his Nighty Night role, is one of those sympathetic but painful hangers-on we've all experienced. Tommy's attempt to be charitable soon leads to him hiding in the kitchen pretending to be busy watching Titanic with Magz (Ruth Jones).
As usual, Coogan is excellent as Tommy, particularly when he explains how you can date porn magazine from the hairstyles of the women. His delicate balancing act when dealing with fragile Martin is particularly funny, with him dropping hints Martin should "use technology" instead of visit them every day. Of course, comedy involving an unwanted friend is nothing new, but it's certainly durable and resonant.
Elsewhere, this episode is notable for bringing characters together who rarely share the screen. In the final scene, Tommy takes Magz to a strip club (now a karaoke bar), where they bump into cheerfully condescending receptionist Vicky (Morwenna Banks). Sadly, fireworks between the two women in Tommy's life fail to fly. I really thought Magz would have been the protective shield Tommy lacks when it comes to Vicky's sharp tongue, but she's just as limp in dealing with the sniping.
While the central premise with Martin builds very nicely, its resolution is quick and forced, as Vicky's own brand of harsh love snaps Martin out of his mood. It was perhaps a consequence of the 30-minute runtime, but just when it seemed Saxondale was developing its first classic episode, it all just fizzled away in the last five minutes.
Still, there were plenty of amusing moments throughout: Magz drawing a garish portrait of naked Bronte sisters, Jonathan (Darren Boyd) as the "neighbourhood spokesman" who tries to appeal to Tommy's lifestyle, and a great camera rise that revealed grumpy Martin sat in the Saxondale living room (momentarily hidden by a well-placed television set.)
In summation, this was one of the more entertaining episodes of Saxondale, thanks to its reliance on a more relatable comic idea and understated work from deadpan Eldon. Steve Coogan remains a consumate performer, particularly with his propensity to mime punchlines and chunter to himself. It's a shame opportunities are wasted (such as the potential of Tommy singing karaoke), but this is mostly a successful half hour of comedy.
