A Lot to Take In sees a new job, a surprise visitor, and hidden emotions stir up chaos at Button House, writes GEMMA JOHNSON
It’s new starts, new people, and new experiences for the ghosts, Alison, and Mike in this episode. As Mike begins his new job, Julian recalls his first day as a ghost — the ‘new guy’ of the gang. Meanwhile, Alison receives a visitor claiming to be her long-lost half-sister, Lucy.
Mixed emotions and a touch of chaos descend upon Button House. Mike is working from home, unknowingly supervised by Captain. Kitty is upset because she was meant to make up dance routines with Alison, Thomas is besotted with the newly arrived Lucy, and Robin is ‘playing with himself’ because Julian doesn’t want a chess match today. Mary is worried about the fate of “Loose Women”. Witty, fast-paced one-liners fill the opening moments of the episode — and I love it!
We soon discover that Mike’s new job is in telesales, and I immediately feel sympathy for him. I know how I’ve treated telesales calls, and he doesn’t deserve that. Enter Mr Cheese, a character created by Humphrey to help Captain practise his telephone sales skills. He is eager to get insurance for his family and his new baby, ‘Cheddar’. Captain is not amused.
Alison tries to learn more about the mysterious stranger, Lucy, but is repeatedly distracted by Kitty. Pat steps in, and we see them embark on developing some impressive dance routines — moves I used to know back in the day. It made me consider bringing the old ‘big fish, little fish, cardboard box’ moves out of retirement.
In this episode, we see a more vulnerable side to Julian. The usually cocky and self-centred character is set aside as we watch him remember his first day as a ghost. He was the last one to arrive, with multiple witnesses watching him grapple with walking through walls, attempting to sit down, and his humorous efforts at leaving the grounds of Button House.
I must admit, this is not one of my favourite episodes. Compared to others, the plot — aside from the arrival of Julian in the ghost world — felt lacking and somewhat random. I really didn’t enjoy the character of Lucy, but that may be intentional given what emerges in the following episodes.
Takeaway lesson from this episode: Know who your fennel is, and in the words of Fanny, “Beware, be very ware.”
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