It's A Living Season 1 Episode 10 Our Man Barry
- January 22, 1981
- 21 min
It's A Living season 1 episode 10, titled "Our Man Barry," follows the staff of the Bon Appetit restaurant as they cope with the unexpected arrival of a restaurant critic. The episode primarily focuses on Valerie, who is determined to impress the critic, but encounters various obstacles throughout the day.
Valerie's first challenge comes in the form of a new employee named Barry, who is hired to work as a waiter. Although she is initially skeptical of his abilities, Valerie soon realizes that Barry may be the key to impressing the critic. She takes it upon herself to train him, coaching him on everything from table settings to wine pairings.
As the day wears on, Valerie becomes increasingly stressed, and her obsessiveness over impressing the critic begins to impact her relationships with her coworkers. Meanwhile, Barry struggles to keep up with the fast-paced restaurant environment, and his ineptitude culminates in a disastrous mishap during one of the critic's meals.
Despite these setbacks, Valerie remains determined to produce a flawless dining experience for the critic. However, her obsession takes a toll not only on her relationships, but also on the quality of the food and service. The stress of the day causes her to make a critical error, which she must then rectify before the critic discovers it.
Overall, "Our Man Barry" is a high-stakes episode that explores the pressures of working in a restaurant, particularly when a critic is involved. Through Valerie's struggles, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the level of dedication and sacrifice required to excel in the restaurant industry.