TVSquad

(S02E05) I always refer to this episode as "the one where Tim and Gareth kiss" or "the one where Tim and Dawn kiss". However, everyone else does a lot of "um"-ing and "uh"-ing until I mention David's infamous dance. Yes, yes. It's "the one where David dances", but, gosh, so much more happens. All the events in this episode prepare us for the season finale, when feelings are sure to be hurt, hearts are sure to be broken, and fools are sure to be... uh... made... out of.

In the UK, there's a big annual event called Red Nose Day, which benefits the Comic Relief charity. Big comedians (and various people around the country) usually do a bunch of crazy stuff all day to raise money. Through David's explanation, we learned that the charity work benefits starving kids in Africa and cripples -- er, disableds. Gareth's proposal to weed out fake disabled people was hilarious...

Gareth: When they go down to the DSS to make a claim, then they should set off a fire alarm -- a fake fire alarm. So, everyone legs it, leaving them there. If they're fake, they'll be running with you. If they're real, they'll be left there screaming for help... And then you just come back in and say, "Alright. Don't cry. It's just a test. You've passed. Here's your money."

And of course, since David has long considered himself to be quite the comic, he was extremely enthusiastic about the event. Maybe a little too enthusiastic. "Who says famine has to be depressing?!" Others in the office participated too (for example: Dawn set up a £1 kissing booth at her desk, Gareth was sponsored to hop on one foot all day, and Keith dressed up as Ali G... "Booyakasha."). Even Chris Finch stopped by to get a kiss from Dawn. However, where he wanted to be kissed was less than appropriate. His whole "squeal, piggy, squeal!" thing was really fucking creepy. Just that face he pulls makes me cringe.

Neil and Rachel did a nice little Saturday Night Fever dance. It was the light-hearted fun that the Swindon lot were used to enjoying everyday. David, not to be out-done by Neil, bragged about his own dance abilities and routines ("I've sort of fused Flashdance and MC Hammer shit") and decided to do an impromptu routine to a hummed version of The Trammps' "Disco Inferno". What followed ended up being one of the most memorable moments of the entire series. I'd describe the dance, but that'd be a futile attempt. I will say this: David does a great man-shimmy.

Dressed as mad doctors from an insane asylum, Gareth's buddies, Jimmy the Perv and the Oggmonster (played by the insanely tall co-writer/co-director Stephen Merchant). David's dialogue with the Oggmonster was absolutely hysterical. I couldn't even transcribe it because it was so in-the-moment, with words flying quick and overlapping. Oggy's tearful exit was the best, though ("Don't have a go at the eyes 'cause that's astigmatism that I've had from the age of five. That's what makes them a bit bulbous").

David also got into a bit of trouble when he didn't turn in a very important report. Jennifer and Neil confronted him about his irresponsibility, coming up with game show ideas instead of doing real work. In a talking head interview, David compared this situation to Dawn French bugging Lenny Henry to doing things like taking out the trash during Comic Relief Day. "Do it yourself, I've got to save some Africans!" Ahh, the sheer frustration in David's voice (and the sudden raising of a few octaves) was so damn funny.

Meanwhile, Dawn looked through vacation brochures before her holiday with Lee in the States. Keith helpfully advised that she store her traveler's checks in a bum bag. "Word of warning... Out there, they call them 'fanny packs'. 'Cause a fanny means your arse over there... not your minge."

Although Tim was steadily watching Dawn at her kissing booth, he didn't approach her. Instead, he planted one on Gareth, who unsuccessfully tried to struggle away. It wasn't until after that did Tim muster up the courage to slide by Dawn's booth and drop in his money. The kiss was brief but enough to send me over the edge. I swear, I hate it when people get really involved with fictional TV relationships but, gosh, I had to make an exception for Tim/Dawn.

The ending of the episode was really painful too. Neither Tim nor Dawn knew what to do after their little kiss, so nothing happened. And David, after mouthing off to Neil and Jennifer, was offered a redundancy package. Even worse, this happened while he was in a ridiculous bird costume (pictured) for the local newspaper's Red Nose Day coverage. I wanted to feel bad for David, but I was too busy laughing at how he still used the bird head as he gestured.

Amazing, amazing episode. One of the best in the entire series.