2x03 Episode 3

[8.9/10] Another great one. I liked each element of this one, so let’s take them one by one.

For one thing, I loved the sheer comic setup of Claire’s awards presentation. Fleabag tooting in the elevator in response to her sister’s admonitions not to steal the spotlight may be my favorite fart joke ever. (A lofty achievement, I know.) Claire dropping and shattering the award, sending her scampering, is delightful. And Claire’s “sex on the brain” responses to everyone, coupled with Fleabag trying to be demure makes for a great comic setup. It’s a semi-zany sitcom-like premise, but it works like gangbusters.

I also really like what it reveals about Claire. This is one of Claire’s moments to shine, and as much as she has her life nominally together with a family and a good job and this type of success, she feels like she’s a failure because she can’t command a room or make everyone laugh like her sister can. It’s a great “the grass is always greener” moment. It’s easy to see Fleabag as the black sheep, but Claire envies her sister in certain ways, at that reveals a certain vulnerability that’s really interesting. Also the line “we’re not friends, we’re sisters” is quietly devastating, and ties in nicely both with the season’s themes and with the closing scene.

But before we get there, we have to have the awesome conversation Fleabag has with Belinda! I’ll admit, this is probably the most didactic and writerly that Fleabag has been, which means I should be rolling my eyes at it, but I genuinely loved Belinda’s speech to Fleabag. The idea of women being born with pain while men seek it out is a rich one, and her sort of blasé, self-assured attitude is a breath of fresh air for someone like Fleabag. This basically feels like a visit between Fleabag and her future self, or at least someone she could be. The advice, the stalking/”martial arts” exchange, the “can’t be arsed” response to Fleabag’s advances are all glorious. The repartee is delightful, and I almost hope they don’t bring Belinda back because this was almost too perfect to tamper with.

Her major advice though is to go out and flirt, because it’s the one thing that’s harder when you get older on Belinda’s account. So Fleabag takes her advice to heart and goes to flirt with the priest. Again, their chemistry is off the charts, so every scene they share is a delight. (I got a particular kick out of the Priest’s weird phobia of foxes.) I hadn’t really connected that both of them have taken a certain type of vow of celibacy, albeit in different ways, but maybe for the same reason. That adds an extra layer to their already rich relationship.

The Priest basically tells Fleabag that he knows what she’s doing, and that it’s not for him, or really for either of them, but that he wants to be her friend. I like the idea that for all Fleabag is out hunting for romance or connection on those terms, friendship is something she’s missing in her life, and maybe someone who understands her without that element coming into play is what she needs.

But my favorite part of the whole thing is when the Priest realizes that she’s breaking the fourth wall. It’s such a clever way to signify that he sees her, or perceives her and her needs in a way that other people don’t. The scene in the therapist’s office communicated the idea that the audience is basically the closest thing Fleabag has to a friend, that it’s a coping mechanism. Having the Priest recognize that shows a perceptiveness and a connection in a really clever way, and I love it.

Overall, another outstanding episode.