Ep 1. Episode 1

In the first episode of the British comedy series The Thick of It, viewers are introduced to the inner workings of the fictional Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship. The department is in the midst of a transition period, with newly appointed Minister Hugh Abbot (played by Chris Langham) taking over from his predecessor. With only a week left until the department's Annual Report is due, tensions are high as everyone rushes to ensure that everything is in order.

The episode opens with Abbot frantically rehearsing for a television interview, with his team of advisors watching on in horror. Despite his best efforts, Abbot comes across as bumbling and ineffectual, with one of his advisors comparing him to a "Falstaffian figure." This sets the tone for the rest of the episode, which is full of hilarious one-liners and cringe-worthy moments.

Throughout the episode, we meet a variety of characters, each with their own agenda. There's Terri (played by Jo Scanlan), the Minister's press officer, who is determined to spin everything in the department's favor; Glenn (played by James Smith), the Director of Communications, who is equally determined to avoid any negative press; and Malcolm Tucker (played by Peter Capaldi), the foul-mouthed and aggressive Director of Communications for the Prime Minister, who is brought in to whip the department into shape.

As the deadline for the Annual Report approaches, the department is hit with a series of setbacks. A report on youth crime is leaked to the press, much to the horror of all involved, and a group of protesters outside the department's headquarters creates chaos. Meanwhile, the Minister is struggling to stay afloat amidst the chaos, with his team of advisors constantly bickering and arguing.

Despite these setbacks, the team manages to pull together and produce a report that is received positively by the Prime Minister. The episode ends with Malcolm Tucker delivering a rousing speech to the department, telling them that they are "all in this together" and that they need to work as a team in order to succeed.

Overall, the first episode of The Thick of It is a hilarious and scathing look at the inner workings of government, filled with witty writing and strong performances. It sets up the characters and world of the show perfectly, leaving viewers eager to see what will happen next.