Oh, this is interesting: "See It In A Boy's Lies" was probably the least funny episode of Plus One so far, but also its most compelling. A combination of winning performances and an unpredictable script glossed over a lack of belly-laughs; as it's just so enjoyable spending time with this bunch...Rob (Daniel Mays) is still looking for this ideal "plus one" date for his ex's wedding, and sex-mad brother Rich (Nigel Harman) spies a sexy model called Aimee (Camilla Beeput) on one of the album covers Rob "produces" (i.e., he compiled the list of tracks on a spreadsheet.) Rob uses his contacts to arrange a sit in on Aimee's latest photoshoot with his photographer friend Paul (Steve John Shepherd), and manages to secure a date after impressing her with fake tales of celebrity friends and album-producing prowess.
Similarly to previous episodes, the resulting date with Aimee eventually goes disastrously wrong, primarily because his "celebrity friend" Jamelia shows up at the same nightclub he takes Aimee to, forcing him to try and keep his lies covered up. But, this episode was less interested in manipulating events to tie Rob's life up in knots (giving us only one misunderstanding that lands Rob in jail at the very end). Also, celebrity love-rival "Duncan from Blue" (Duncan James) and Rob's ex Linsey (Miranda Raison) barely feature this week, with the story instead focusing on Rob's realization that he fancies Irish work colleague Laura (Ruth Bradley).
There may have been a paucity of big laughs, but there were some very funny physical moments – from a fantasy sequence where Rob and Laura ravish each other on their desks (inspired by Laura fellating a Twix), to Rob's surprisingly excellent body-popping at a nightclub to impress Aimee and Jamelia. I bet Mays gets asked to re-enact that sequence, a la Ricky Gervais' Office dance, wherever he goes now. Also, given Plus One's tendency to indulge in fantasy sequences, I half expected Rob's gyrations to be revealed as a brief moment of hope before an embarrassing reality strikes, but the script neatly subverted our expectations. Indeed, one of the more refreshing things about this series is how Rob isn't being written as the befuddled, socially-inept, nerdy Romeo he could have been.
Great to see some development of Laura from "bland face at the office" to one of the best characters, and surely Rob's best chance for a girlfriend who's not a suspiciously out-of-his-league model/actress/singer. I hope they continue the Rob/Laura relationship, and hopefully Paul's feelings for Rob's sister Rebecca (Ingrid Oliver) will be given time to bloom, too.
Overall, I wouldn't have expected it, but Plus One has become a weekly comedy treat in a mere three weeks. There's a nice balance of comedy, well-drawn characters, a sense of unpredictability, and some excellent performances (Mays, Bradley and Oliver in particular). I'm still not sure if it has much of a lifespan (given the focus on an imminent wedding day), but for however long it lasts, I'm really enjoying Rob's romantic misadventures.
23 January 2009
Channel 4, 9.30pm
Writers: Tim Allsop & Stewart Williams
Director: Sarah O'Gorman
Cast: Daniel Mays (Rob Black), Miranda Raison (Linsey), Duncan James (Himself), Ingrid Oliver (Rebecca Black), Nigel Harman (Rich Black), Steve John Shepherd (Paul), Ruth Bradley (Laura), Camilla Beeput (Aimee) & Jamelia (Herself)
