Ep 4. Mark Makes A Friend

Mark Makes A Friend is the fourth episode of Peep Show's first season. The episode starts with Mark waking up early on a Saturday and deciding to go for a walk in the park. On his way there, he sees a man walking a dog and tries to strike up a conversation with him, but he quickly realizes that he doesn't know how to make friends with strangers.

Meanwhile, Jeremy is at home, feeling sorry for himself after being rejected by a girl he likes. He complains to Mark about his problems and Mark suggests that he try talking to the girl's flatmate to get closer to her. However, when Jeremy goes to the girls' flat, he ends up sleeping with the flatmate instead.

Back at the park, Mark is still struggling to make a friend. He tries to approach a group of people playing Frisbee, but they are not interested in talking to him. He then sees the man with the dog again and decides to follow him to a café. Mark orders a coffee and sits at a table close to the man, hoping to start a conversation with him. However, he ends up tipping his coffee over and making a fool of himself. The man with the dog quickly leaves, and Mark is left feeling even more alone than before.

Feeling embarrassed, Mark decides to leave the café and go home. On his way out, he sees the man with the dog again and decides to follow him once more. This time, they end up at a pub, and Mark finally manages to strike up a conversation with the man. His name is Ian, and he is a former army officer who now works as a security guard. They talk about their interests, and Mark feels like he has finally found a friend.

However, the friendship is short-lived as Mark soon realizes that Ian is not quite as friendly as he seems. He is actually a bit of a bully and enjoys teasing people. Mark feels uncomfortable, but he also doesn't want to lose his new friend. He tries to impress Ian by going along with his jokes, but he quickly realizes that this is not the kind of person he wants to be friends with.

At the same time, Jeremy's night with the flatmate is not as great as he had hoped it would be. She is not interested in a relationship and only wanted a one-night stand. Jeremy is disappointed, but he also feels relieved. He knows that pursuing a relationship with her would only lead to more heartache.

Eventually, Mark confronts Ian about his behavior, and they have a falling out. Mark realizes that he was too eager to make a friend and didn't consider whether or not he actually liked the person he was trying to befriend. He also realizes that he doesn't need to have lots of friends to be happy. Sometimes, it's better to be alone than to be friends with someone who doesn't treat you well.

In conclusion, Mark Makes A Friend is a relatable episode for anyone who has ever struggled to make friends or been in a toxic friendship. It highlights the importance of being true to yourself and not compromising your values just to fit in.