Ep 3. Ladies and Gentlemen

In the third episode of the hit British dramedy My Mad Fat Diary season 1, titled "Ladies and Gentlemen," we follow the ongoing struggles of the show's protagonist, Rae Earl, as she navigates high school life as an overweight teenager in the mid-1990s.

The episode kicks off with Rae continuing to deal with her weight-related insecurities, which are only heightened by the fact that the school is holding a ball, and she has yet to secure a date. Her best friend Chloe urges her to ask out her crush, Finn, but Rae is hesitant—after all, Finn is one of the most popular and attractive boys in school, and Rae feels incredibly out of his league.

Amidst all this, we also see Rae's strained relationship with her mother continue to deteriorate. Her mother is highly critical of Rae's weight and frequently comments on her eating habits, which only makes Rae feel more isolated and misunderstood.

As the episode progresses, we see Rae come to some realizations about herself and her relationships. She begins to let go of some of her insecurities, and allows herself to have fun at the ball despite not having a date. Chloe's boyfriend, Archie, provides some of the episode's more humorous moments with his clumsy dance moves, while Rae and Chloe's friendship takes on a more emotional tone as Chloe opens up about some of her own insecurities.

Additionally, the episode introduces us to a new character, the school counselor, Kester. Rae initially approaches him with some skepticism, but he proves to be a valuable confidante as she begins to open up about her struggles with her weight and her relationships.

Overall, "Ladies and Gentlemen" is a poignant and engaging episode that touches on issues of body image, friendship, and self-discovery. Through Rae's experiences, we see the challenges that many teenagers face when it comes to fitting in and finding acceptance, but we also see the importance of finding the strength to be true to oneself. It's a great addition to the series and a must-watch episode for fans of My Mad Fat Diary.