Put-down queen, Olivia reigns supreme
FLEABAG BBC1, 10.35pm
IT IS exactly 371 days, 19 hours and 26 minutes after the disastrous events of the series one finale when Fleabag was rejected by her entire family. She’s in the ladies room of a smart restaurant and her nose is bleeding.
“This is a love story,” she says to camera. You’ll have to wait until the end to find out what’s happened.
Fleabag, played by the show’s whip-smart creator and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is back for more gut-wrenching misery that makes you laugh out loud.
Fans of series one, which became a cult hit, may have panicked that a second run could never live up to the first – but judging by this opening episode, it’s even better.
The whole episode is played out through an uncomfortable and passive aggressive family dinner to celebrate Godmother and Dad’s engagement.
Oscar winner Olivia Colman is brilliant – obviously – as Godmother, all smiles, putdowns and snobbery.
Godmother has invited their priest to dinner, played by Sherlock villain Andrew Scott, because she believes “there’s something rather chic about having a real priest at a wedding”.
Meanwhile, Fleabag’s sister Claire (Sian Clifford) still isn’t really talking to her, having believed husband Martin over kissing-gate.
With a neurotic sister, alcoholic brother-in-law, God-awful Godmother, sweary priest, nervous dad and needy waitress, Fleabag is at the dinner party from hell – and it’s an absolute joy to watch.
Expect lots of funny oneliners, Fleabag’s witty asides to camera and an immediate need to binge-watch the whole series.