Ep 4. A Beaver That's Lost Its Mind

Walter Blunt, a British newscaster who has recently relocated to Los Angeles to host a nightly interview show, is still trying to find his footing in the new environment and with his new co-workers. In episode four of Blunt Talk season one, entitled "A Beaver That's Lost Its Mind," Walter and his team are preparing for a highly anticipated interview with a controversial author, but a series of escalating mishaps threaten to derail the entire production.

As the episode opens, Walter is seen preparing for the arrival of famed writer and outspoken feminist Jilly Bly (played brilliantly by Moby Girls alumna Janet Montgomery). Walter is still reeling from the disastrous outcome of his previous interview, which featured an eccentric and heavily intoxicated magician who ended up breaking Walter's nose, and he is determined to make sure that everything goes smoothly this time around. Unfortunately for him, things quickly begin to spiral out of control.

One of Walter's producers, Jim (played by the always hilarious Timm Sharp), is running late due to a series of mishaps involving his young daughter, and when he finally arrives, he is flustered and unprepared for the interview. Meanwhile, Walter's longtime butler and confidant, Harry (the incomparable Adrian Scarborough), is dealing with a crisis of his own. His beloved pet beaver, a therapy animal named Phineas, has gone missing, and he is determined to find him before anything terrible happens.

As the team struggles to get everything under control, it becomes clear that Jilly Bly is not going to make things easy for them. She is opinionated, uncompromising, and insistent on taking over the interview, which throws Walter off his game. At the same time, Jim is struggling to keep up with the conversation and Harry is running amok around the studio, searching for Phineas and causing chaos wherever he goes.

Despite all the chaos, however, the team manages to rally and pull off a surprisingly successful interview. Walter comes into his own as a host, even managing to get a compliment from the notoriously difficult Jilly Bly. Meanwhile, Harry finally manages to locate Phineas, who has fallen into a nearby drainage ditch, and all is well with the world once again.

While "A Beaver That's Lost Its Mind" has all the hallmarks of a classic sitcom episode – zany plotlines, memorable characters, and plenty of laughs – it also manages to tackle some serious issues. Jilly Bly's outspoken feminism is a running theme throughout the episode, and Walter grapples with his own feelings on the subject. At the same time, the episode addresses the complex relationship between Harry and his therapy beaver, highlighting the vital role that animals can play in our lives.

Overall, "A Beaver That's Lost Its Mind" is a standout episode of Blunt Talk season one. With its mix of humor, heart, and razor-sharp wit, it showcases the best of what the series has to offer, and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment.