I thought this episode was stunning in so many respects. It probably contained fewer laughs than any other to date in this series, but only to accommodate and focus on the (seeming) downfall of Malcolm. You could tell something major was afoot straight away when he was throwing the dinner party for his journo contacts - possibly out of character, and certainly bordering on desperation.
Loved the way the Fleming character managed to offend Nicola through his patronising comments and actions much more than Malcolm has ever managed through insults alone. She simply couldn't take in what was happening when she walked into the middle of "that scene" (should we be using spoilers in this thread?) and her reluctance to speak up when she had the chance will almost certainly be her own Waterloo.
Did anyone else pick up on the moment between Malcolm and his PA when, in his darkest hour and with everyone else in the scene losing their heads, he was trying to comfort her, showing a caring side which to this point hasn't been explored? (Actually, he - and Jamie - did the same for the cleaning lady in the specials, which demonstrates it's just politicians and civil servants for whom he reserves his disgust). Brilliantly subtle.
The biggest plaudit has to go to Ianucci for creating a monster who - were it a realife scenario and it happened to say, oh, I don't know, for the sake of arguing, Alastair Campbell, one would be celebrating with the rest of DoSAC - ellicits sympathy from the viewer, and not just because it could conceivably represent the end of the concept on which the show is based.
I'll say it again - Capaldi has turned in a performance of a lifetime for which he is a shoe-in to win any award going.
Forgive my indulgence. This was TV at its best.
Also enjoyed the dig at the huns. Ianucci is a Celtic fan by all accounts.
Well with a name like that etc.... sorry, wrong forum
