Everything that happens in this episode is so ridiculous. But that's what's so great about it. This episode wouldn't be possible if you hadn't already watched eight and a half series of this show. We've seen so much happen through the eyes of Jeremy and Mark. We've heard their thoughts evolve over time.
So when it comes to Mark having "I LOVE YOU" written on his eyelids in permanent marker, it happens so organically. It seems impossible, yet here we are.
And that's how you end up with Mark wearing garish blue eye shadow, at a dinner party with unwanted guests, where he serves baked beans, pasta and lettuce, all with the goal of getting with a woman he briefly met years ago to show an interest in him.
The writing here is superb. The brief internal thoughts you hear from Mark are spot on, and reveal the total breakdown that is occurring, in the most comical way possible. They reach a level of ridiculousness that borders on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, but because we see it through their eyes and hear their thoughts, somehow it is completely believable.
"Is this Ribena", he asks Mark, who despite the blue eyeshadow you can just make out the top edge of the writing on his eyelids. He's an alcoholic, with a complicated past....