Episode 1 (Fleabag series 2)

1st episode of the 2nd series of Fleabag

"Episode 1"

Fleabag episode
Episode no.| Series 2
Episode 1
Directed by| Harry Bradbeer
Written by| Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Editing by| Gary Dollner
Original air date| May 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
Running time| 26 minutes
Guest appearance

* Maddie Rice as Needy Waitress

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"Episode 1" is the first episode of the second series of Fleabag, and the seventh overall. The episode was written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and directed by Harry Bradbeer. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 17 May 2019 along with the rest of the series.

The episode takes place during an engagement dinner for Fleabag's dad and Godmother, picking up one year after the finale of series one. Fleabag is introduced to the Priest who will officiate the wedding. After her sister, Claire, has a miscarriage in the restaurant bathroom, Fleabag tells the dinner guests that the miscarriage was her own in an attempt to help conceal it. She hits Claire's husband in the face and gets a bloody nose after he shoves her.

The episode was hailed by critics as a "cinematic comedy masterpiece" and received three 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.[1][2]

## Plot

[edit]

In medias res, Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) is in a "chic" public restroom cleaning blood from her nose. She breaks the fourth wall to state, "This is a love story."[3] There is an interstitial scene where Fleabag explains steps she has taken to get her life together in the year since the end of series one. She is then shown at a restaurant with her family, including her sister, Claire (Sian Clifford), to whom she has not spoken for a year. Her father (Bill Paterson) and her godmother (Olivia Colman) are hosting the dinner to celebrate their engagement. The priest (Andrew Scott) who will officiate their wedding is also in attendance. Claire and her husband Martin (Brett Gelman), announce that they are trying to get pregnant, and that they are no longer drinking because Martin is a recovering alcoholic.

When Fleabag goes outside to smoke a cigarette, The Priest tries to speak to her, but she silently walks away mid-sentence. He insults her as she goes, to which Fleabag responds with silent delight.

Fleabag's godmother, who is an artist, tells the table that her gift to Fleabag's father is a portrait of Fleabag and Claire, for which they will need to sit.

When Fleabag is outside smoking another cigarette, her father comes to speak to her. He hands her an envelope as a belated birthday gift, which she doesn't read. Upon walking into the restaurant, Fleabag catches Martin drinking alcohol away from the table.

At the table, Claire discusses her new position in Finland at her company, where she works in finance. Her family reacts with surprise because they all thought she was a lawyer. Claire asks Fleabag to open the gift, and Fleabag reads aloud that it is a gift certificate for a therapy session.

Later, Fleabag goes into the bathroom to find Claire, who shares that she has just had a miscarriage. Fleabag offers to help and Claire responds angrily. Fleabag insists that they go to the hospital and Claire agrees. They make a plan to excuse themselves from dinner, but after sitting back down Claire refuses to leave. When the other dinner guests ask what's wrong, Fleabag lies and says she just had a miscarriage. Fleabag readies herself to leave after she and Claire have a veiled argument about Claire's refusal to acknowledge the miscarriage. Martin taunts Fleabag, who punches him in the nose. As she bends to punch him again, he shoves her face away. As the waitress (Maddie Rice) approaches to help, Martin accidentally elbows her in the nose.

Fleabag is now in the bathroom, cleaning her bloody nose, in the same position as the opening scene. The Priest knocks on the door to ask if she needs help. She offers a clean towel to the waitress, who is sitting on the floor. As she is leaving the restaurant, the Priest tells her he is always available to talk.

As Fleabag is walking home, Claire calls to her from a nearby cab, which Fleabag gets inside. Fleabag directs the taxi to the nearest hospital. Claire and Fleabag reconcile by commenting on the fact that the Priest is attractive.

## Cast

[edit]

* Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Fleabag
* Sian Clifford as Claire
* Andrew Scott as The Priest
* Bill Paterson as Dad
* Olivia Colman as Fleabag's godmother
* Brett Gelman as Martin

### Guest stars

[edit]

* Maddie Rice as Needy Waitress

## Production

[edit]

Waller-Bridge, who is the sole series writer, intended to have an episode set in a restaurant because the single setting felt theatrical.[1] Initially meant to be episode three, Waller-Bridge cut those episodes and instead made "Episode 1" the premiere.[1]

Bradbeer, with whom Waller-Bridge consulted closely on the show's writing, decided to keep the camera in one spot during the dinner table scenes.[1] "Episode 1" was edited by series editor Gary Dollner. The three experimented with removing Waller-Bridge's direct addresses to the camera but decided that this element was needed.[1]

### Broadcast

[edit]

Every episode in series 2 was released on 17 May 2019 on Amazon Prime Video.[1]

## Reception

[edit]

"Episode 1" received critical acclaim. Reviewer Danette Chavez wrote for The A.V. Club, "The premiere is an early frontrunner for best episode of the season, if not the series, returning to Fleabag’s theatrical roots for an evening of farce and concentrated viciousness. With the help of series director Harry Bradbeer, Waller-Bridge stages a dinner party for the ages, one that's both a comedy of manners and the introductory chapter to a love story."[4] In 2024, Rolling Stone listed it as the 24th best TV episode of all time.[5]

For the episode, Waller-Bridge received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and Bradbeer received a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 71st Primetime Emmys.[2]

At the Creative Primetime Emmy Awards, the episode's editor, Gary Dollner received a Creative Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series, and the cinematographer, Tony Miller, received a nomination for the Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f O'Falt, Chris (5 June 2019). "The 'Fleabag' Awkward Family Dinner Is a Cinematic Comedy Masterpiece". IndieWire. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
2. ^ a b Salam, Maya (23 September 2019). "How Phoebe Waller-Bridge and 'Fleabag' Owned the Emmys". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
3. ^ Pape, Allie (17 May 2019). "Fleabag Season Premiere Recap: Who You Believe". Vulture. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
4. ^ "The Fleabag season 2 premiere is a godsend". TV Club. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
5. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (2 September 2024). "The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 September 2024.

## External links

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* "Episode 1" on IMDb

Awards for "Episode 1"

* v
* t
* e

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

1950s|

* Peter Tewksbury for "Medal for Margaret" (1959)

1960s|

* Ralph Levy & Bud Yorkin for The Jack Benny Show (1960)
* Sheldon Leonard for The Danny Thomas Show (1961)
* Nat Hiken for Car 54, Where Are You? (1962)
* John Rich for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963)
* Jerry Paris for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1964)
* No Award (1965)
* William Asher for Bewitched (1966)
* James Frawley for "Royal Flush" (1967)
* Bruce Bilson for "Maxwell Smart, Private Eye" (1968)
* Greg Garrison for "October 17, 1968" (1969)

1970s|

* Dwight Hemion for "The Sound of Burt Bacharach" (1970)
* Jay Sandrich for "Toulouse-Lautrec is One of My Favorite Artists" (1971)
* John Rich for "Sammy's Visit" (1972)
* Jay Sandrich for "It's Whether You Win or Lose" (1973)
* Jackie Cooper for "Carry On, Hawkeye" (1974)
* Gene Reynolds for "O.R." (1975)
* Gene Reynolds for "Welcome to Korea" (1976)
* Alan Alda for "Dear Sigmund" (1977)
* Paul Bogart for "Edith's 50th Birthday" (1978)
* Noam Pitlik for "The Harris Incident" (1979)

1980s|

* James Burrows for "Louie and the Nice Girl" (1980)
* James Burrows for "Elaine's Strange Triangle" (1981)
* Alan Rafkin for "Barbara's Crisis" (1982)
* James Burrows for "Showdown: Part 2" (1983)
* Bill Persky for "A Very Loud Family" (1984)
* Jay Sandrich for "The Younger Woman" (1985)
* Jay Sandrich for "Denise's Friend" (1986)
* Terry Hughes for "Isn't It Romantic?" (1987)
* Gregory Hoblit for "Pilot (Hooperman)" (1988)
* Peter Baldwin for "Our Miss White" (1989)

1990s|

* Michael Dinner for "Good-bye" (1990)
* James Burrows for "Woody Interruptus" (1991)
* Barnet Kellman for "Birth 101" (1992)
* Betty Thomas for "For Peter's Sake" (1993)
* James Burrows for "The Good Son" (1994)
* David Lee for "The Matchmaker" (1995)
* Michael Lembeck for "The One After the Superbowl" (1996)
* David Lee for "To Kill a Talking Bird" (1997)
* Todd Holland for "Flip" (1998)
* Thomas Schlamme for "Pilot" (Sports Night) (1999)

2000s|

* Todd Holland for "Pilot" (Malcolm in the Middle) (2000)
* Todd Holland for "Bowling" (2001)
* Michael Patrick King for "The Real Me" (2002)
* Robert B. Weide for "Krazee-Eyez Killa" (2003)
* Anthony and Joe Russo for "Pilot" (Arrested Development) (2004)
* Charles McDougall for "Pilot" (Desperate Housewives) (2005)
* Marc Buckland for "Pilot" (My Name Is Earl) (2006)
* Richard Shepard for "Pilot" (Ugly Betty) (2007)
* Barry Sonnenfeld for "Pie-lette" (2008)
* Jeffrey Blitz for "Stress Relief" (2009)

2010s|

* Ryan Murphy for "Pilot" (Glee) (2010)
* Michael Spiller for "Halloween" (2011)
* Steven Levitan for "Baby on Board" (2012)
* Gail Mancuso for "Arrested" (2013)
* Gail Mancuso for "Las Vegas" (2014)
* Joey Soloway for "Best New Girl" (2015)
* Joey Soloway for "Man on the Land" (2016)
* Donald Glover for "B.A.N." (2017)
* Amy Sherman-Palladino for "Pilot" (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) (2018)
* Harry Bradbeer for "Episode 1" (2019)

2020s|

* Andrew Cividino and Dan Levy for "Happy Ending" (2020)
* Lucia Aniello for "There Is No Line" (2021)
* MJ Delaney for "No Weddings and a Funeral" (2022)
* Christopher Storer for "Review" (2023)
* Christopher Storer for "Fishes" (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

1950s|

* James Allardice & Jack Douglas & Hal Kanter & Harry Winkler for The George Gobel Show (1955)
* Arnold M. Auerbach & Barry Blitzer & Vincent Bogert & Nat Hiken & Coleman Jacoby & Harvey Orkin & Arnold Rosen & Terry Ryan & Tony Webster for The Phil Silvers Show (1956)
* No Award (1957)
* Billy Friedberg & Nat Hiken & Coleman Jacoby & Arnold Rosen & A.J. Russell & Terry Ryan & Phil Sharp & Tony Webster & Sydney Zelinka for The Phil Silvers Show (1958)
* George Balzer & Hal Goldman & Al Gordon & Sam Perrin for The Jack Benny Show (1959)

1960s|

* George Balzer & Hal Goldman & Al Gordon & Sam Perrin for The Jack Benny Show (1960)
* Dave O'Brien & Martin Ragaway & Sherwood Schwartz & Al Schwartz & Red Skelton for The Red Skelton Show (1961)
* Carl Reiner for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1962)
* Carl Reiner for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963)
* No Award (1964)
* No Award (1965)
* Sam Denoff & Bill Persky for "Coast to Coast Big Mouth" (1966)
* Buck Henry & Leonard B. Stern for "Ship of Spies: Parts 1 and 2" (1967)
* Allan Burns & Chris Hayward for "The Coming Out Party" (1968)
* No Award (1969)

1970s|

* No Award (1970)
* James L. Brooks & Allan Burns for "Support Your Local Mother" (1971)
* Burt Styler for "Edith's Problem" (1972)
* Lee Kalcheim & Michael Ross & Bernie West for "The Bunkers and the Swingers" (1973)
* Treva Silverman for "The Lou and Edie Story" (1974)
* Stan Daniels & Ed. Weinberger for "Will Mary Richards Go to Jail?" (1975)
* David Lloyd for "Chuckles Bites the Dust" (1976)
* James L. Brooks & Allan Burns & Stan Daniels & Bob Ellison & David Lloyd & Ed. Weinberger for "The Last Show" (1977)
* Harve Brosten & Barry Harman & Bob Schiller & Bob Weiskopf for "Cousin Liz" (1978)
* No Award (1979)

1980s|

* R.J. Colleary for "The Photographer" (1980)
* Michael J. Leeson for "Tony's Sister and Jim" (1981)
* Ken Estin for "Elegant Iggy" (1982)
* Glen Charles and Les Charles for "Give Me a Ring Sometime" (1983)
* David Angell for "Old Flames" (1984)
* Ed. Weinberger & Michael J. Leeson for "Pilot" (The Cosby Show) (1985)
* Barry Fanaro & Mort Nathan for "A Little Romance" (1986)
* Gary David Goldberg & Alan Uger for "A, My Name is Alex" (1987)
* Hugh Wilson for "The Bridge" (1988)
* Diane English for "Pilot" (Murphy Brown) (1989)

1990s|

* Bob Brush for "Good-bye" (1990)
* Gary Dontzig & Steven Peterman for "Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way" (1991)
* Elaine Pope & Larry Charles for "The Fix-Up" (1992)
* Larry David for "The Contest" (1993)
* David Angell & Peter Casey & David Lee for "The Good Son" (1994)
* Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano for "An Affair to Forget" (1995)
* Joe Keenan & Christopher Lloyd & Rob Greenberg & Jack Burditt & Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano & Linda Morris & Vic Rauseo for "Moon Dance" (1996)
* Ellen DeGeneres & Mark Driscoll & Dava Savel & Tracy Newman & Jonathan Stark for "The Puppy Episode" (1997)
* Peter Tolan & Garry Shandling for "Flip" (1998)
* Jay Kogen for "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz" (1999)

2000s|

* Linwood Boomer for "Pilot" (Malcolm in the Middle) (2000)
* Alex Reid for "Bowling" (2001)
* Larry Wilmore for "Pilot" (The Bernie Mac Show) (2002)
* Tucker Cawley for "Baggage" (2003)
* Mitchell Hurwitz for "Pilot" (Arrested Development) (2004)
* Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely for "Righteous Brothers" (2005)
* Greg Garcia for "Pilot" (My Name Is Earl) (2006)
* Greg Daniels for "Gay Witch Hunt" (2007)
* Tina Fey for "Cooter" (2008)
* Matt Hubbard for "Reunion" (2009)

2010s|

* Steven Levitan & Christopher Lloyd for "Pilot" (Modern Family) (2010)
* Steven Levitan & Jeffrey Richman for "Caught in the Act" (2011)
* Louis C.K. for "Pregnant" (2012)
* Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield for "Last Lunch" (2013)
* Louis C.K. for "So Did the Fat Lady" (2014)
* Simon Blackwell & Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche for "Election Night" (2015)
* Aziz Ansari & Alan Yang for "Parents" (2016)
* Aziz Ansari & Lena Waithe for "Thanksgiving" (2017)
* Amy Sherman-Palladino for "Pilot" (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) (2018)
* Phoebe Waller-Bridge for "Episode 1" (2019)

2020s|

* Dan Levy for "Happy Ending" (2020)
* Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky for "There Is No Line" (2021)
* Quinta Brunson for "Pilot" (Abbott Elementary) (2022)
* Christopher Storer for "System" (2023)
* Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky for "Bulletproof" (2024)

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