TVSquad

(S01E04) This episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl had everything I've been wanting in this show: Intriguing tidbits about the adventures of a London prostitute, well-delivered quips and situations ripe with comedy, and insight into why we should like / care about the other side of Belle ... Hannah.

All elements came together so seamlessly that I'm already wanting to see what happens next Monday night. (Yes, I have the screeners, but I try to watch only one a week so I keep those viewers seeing the show for the first time. I actually haven't seen Episode 1-05 yet.)

My review of tonight's Secret Diary of a Call Girl is after the jump.

"Shame, all these secrets," Serona says to Hannah after she reveals that her accountant's wife doesn't know about his penchant for S&M. Out of all the people in this episode, it seems the S&M goddess who has a dungeon in her sitting room is happiest with her life -- and even the most normal. Why? Transparency and absolute honesty with her loved one. I love how Serona told Hannah that Frank, her professor husband, putters around and makes tea while she's running her dominatrix sessions.

We got to see the repercussions of Hannah's secrets this episode. She and Ben clearly don't have the close friendship they thought they had. Ben got engaged a month (or a month and a half, or two months) ago and didn't tell Hannah. Hannah still hasn't revealed to her best mate that she's a call girl. Hannah was so upset about the state of her relationship with Ben that she almost scarred her client in a tirade of whipping. I liked seeing Hannah and Ben's conflicted friendship get some closure at the end of episode. I imagine his reaction to her profession will be rather like her reaction to his engagement.

Call Girl was quite funny tonight as well. The scenes where Hannah learns from Serona and then turns her apartment into an S&M den were great. I provided the exchange down below, but I loved when Hannah was digging her stilettos into her accountants bare torso. He sits beneath her, blindfolded and enjoying every moment. She's reading a magazine, running out of ideas, and still can't understand why anyone would get off being dominated like that.

This episode was replete with great lines and exchanges. Here's a few of them:

1. Stephanie: I understand. You do this job log enough you want to kick the shit out of a man eventually.
Belle: No, it's no that. I like him. And he does my taxes.

2. Serona: Hi, I wonder if you could spare a few minutes to talk to us about Jesus?

3. Hannah: What about the sex?
Serona: There is no sex.
Hannah: Well, how do you know when you're finished?
Serona: My watch beeps.

4. Accountant: No mistress. I don't think I can take anymore.
Belle: Really?
Accountant: Yes mistress. Please stop.
Belle: Okay, get up if you want.
Accountant: No, I'm a bad slave.
Belle: Yes you are. But if you want, you can just get up.