Ep 6. Funeral

In the season 1 finale of the hilarious and cringeworthy British sitcom, Peep Show, titled "Funeral," we find ourselves once again immersed in the lives of Mark and Jeremy, two unlikely best friends who couldn't be more different from each other. Mark is a socially awkward, pessimistic office worker, and Jeremy is an unemployed, aspiring musician with an insatiable appetite for hedonism.

As the episode kicks off, Mark receives some heartbreaking news: the death of his beloved great aunt Angela. In an attempt to be a supportive friend, Jeremy offers to accompany Mark to the funeral, despite his lack of emotional connection to the deceased. What ensues is a comedic rollercoaster of awkward interactions, misplaced attempts at empathy, and bizarre family dynamics.

The episode begins with Mark and Jeremy arriving at the funeral, where they encounter Angela's estranged son, Marco, and her quirky neighbor, Toni. As the funeral service progresses, Mark struggles to keep up with the formalities and suppresses his true feelings, as is his nature, while Jeremy remains irreverently detached. Their contrasting approaches to grief and social etiquette provide much of the comedic tension throughout the episode.

Meanwhile, Mark is introduced to Angela's sister, his great aunt Ailie who, in a twist of fate, resembles Angela eerily. Ailie takes an immediate liking to Mark, causing him to become increasingly uncomfortable with her advances. In typical Peep Show fashion, Mark's internal monologue reveals his true thoughts and reservations about the situation, highlighting the stark contrast between his public persona and his private anxieties.

In an attempt to escape the awkwardness, Mark finds solace in a quiet corner, only to be approached by Toni, who reveals some surprising secrets about Angela and her relationships. While Mark tries his best to process this new information, Toni's unconventional take on life and death further adds to his discomfort, leaving him questioning his own existence and purpose. The scene encapsulates the show's ability to blend humor with existential introspection.

As the funeral draws to a close, a string of mishaps and misunderstandings occur, making Mark and Jeremy's already awkward presence even more conspicuous. Their attempts to navigate the post-funeral gathering become increasingly desperate and cringe-inducing, much to the amusement of viewers.

Throughout the episode, the show's unique format, which utilizes the point-of-view filming style, provides an intimate perspective into the thoughts, desires, and anxieties of the main characters. We see Mark's neuroticism and highly analytical nature, often represented by internal monologues, contrasted with Jeremy's freewheeling and carefree approach to life. These insights into their minds allow us to empathize with their struggles while also finding humor in their often misguided actions.

"Funeral" serves as a fitting finale to Peep Show's first season, perfectly encapsulating the show's unique blend of cringe comedy, dark humor, and social satire. Through its clever writing, brilliant performances, and relatable portrayal of flawed yet endearing characters, the episode offers a hilarious and thought-provoking exploration of mortality, family dynamics, and the complexities of human interactions. As we bid farewell to season 1, it becomes clear that Peep Show has established itself as a must-watch comedy that deftly balances laughter with an unflinching look at the absurdities of everyday life.