Windows of opportunity
BBC2, 10pm
ESSEX boy Vincent Swan is a poser. That much we can tell immediately.
The opening scene of this comedy drama shows Vincent (Ed Westwick) preening himself like a peacock in front of a full-length mirror.
He even gives himself a little nod of approval, a la The Fonz from Happy Days, before finally (reluctantly) heading away from his reflection to sell double glazing.
It’s 1983 in this new series from writer Damon Beesley, best known for penning The Inbetweeners, who grew up in Essex in the 80s with his dad who was a double glazing salesman. Just like Damon’s dad, Vincent has lost his job at an oil refinery and gone into double glazing – and discovered he is brilliant at it. Smart, handsome and cocksure, Vincent will stop at nothing to sell windows – otherwise known as white gold.
Vincent occasionally breaks the fourth wall, talking to the camera to tell us how amazing he is.
He works with a team at Cachet Windows, including Fitzpatrick and Lavender, played by two Inbetweeners James Buckley and Joe Thomas.
Fitzpatrick (Buckley) is smarmy and lies through his teeth to get a sale, while Lavender (Thomas) is a failed musician who is far too polite to ever sell anything.
Tonight, Vincent explains the tricks of the trade, offering useful advice such as: “Salesmen are like vampires. Never invite one into your home”.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick and Lavender take a bet on whether the former can pull off the ultimate salesman’s con, and sell new windows to someone he’s recently sold the exact same product to.
And Vincent has trouble with the missus because she would like him to stop working late. If only she knew what he was really up to...