The second season begins as the first did, with an amusing farce of strangers forced into close proximity and with a grim double twist near the completion.
On a sleep train crossing France, all Maxwell (Reece Shearsmith) wants to do is get some sleep ahead of his important job interview. Though one of his bunkmates is already asleep, the restful slumber is repeatedly interrupted, first by flatulent German Jorg (Steve Pemberton), then by English couple Kate (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and her husband Les (Mark Benton) and finally by Australian Backpacker Shona (Jessica Gunning) and her potential paramour Hugo (Jack Whitehall). As things eventually settle down, peace is finally broken by a shocking reveal.
This episode is more of a straight comedy that some of the ones that have gone before it, broader than generally the show usually chooses to be. There is a lot of bodily function humour, and some sex gags between Shona and Hugo. The performances are good across the board, as you would expect from such a fine collection of reliable television talent.
The resolutions first twist is perhaps a touch predictable, given the nature of the show, and as if anticipating that response, the second twist, which builds level of futility into what has occurred is all the better. There are better written episodes in the series, but very few as reliably funny.
On a sleep train crossing France, all Maxwell (Reece Shearsmith) wants to do is get some sleep ahead of his important job interview. Though one of his bunkmates is already asleep, the restful slumber is repeatedly interrupted, first by flatulent German Jorg (Steve Pemberton), then by English couple Kate (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and her husband Les (Mark Benton) and finally by Australian Backpacker Shona (Jessica Gunning) and her potential paramour Hugo (Jack Whitehall). As things eventually settle down, peace is finally broken by a shocking reveal.
This episode is more of a straight comedy that some of the ones that have gone before it, broader than generally the show usually chooses to be. There is a lot of bodily function humour, and some sex gags between Shona and Hugo. The performances are good across the board, as you would expect from such a fine collection of reliable television talent.
The resolutions first twist is perhaps a touch predictable, given the nature of the show, and as if anticipating that response, the second twist, which builds level of futility into what has occurred is all the better. There are better written episodes in the series, but very few as reliably funny.