I mean that title in a good way! The acting in Not Going Out has always been very cheesy and half-hearted. Even experienced cast members like Sally Bretton and Miranda Hart have felt very casual about their roles, and to be fair, it is a sit-com so I don't expect BAFTA award winning acting.
In this week's episode however, every cast member gets their chance to shine in a story that feel scripted specifically to feel tense.
A story about Marriage Counselling is something I expected to have happened at sometime over the 7 years we didn't get to see, but I always enjoy a story that dives into Lee's mind, which is why I love the Series 6 episode Therapy so much.
Having Toby and Anna around for this episode was an obvious decision due to their relationship, but I love the way it was used, and just like Lee and Lucy, I genuinely couldn't believe that Toby and Anna could behave so kindly and considerately towards each other. It was weird.
We also got a little reasoning to Lee's apparent hatred of Geoffrey and Wendy this year. Lee's made some rather brutal comments towards the two of them through Series 8 and I've been wondering why, seeing as Lee did at least get on well with Wendy over the past 6 series.
The climax of the episode is definitely one of the best moments of this series so far, if not the whole show, as it genuinely dropped my jaw.
The revelation about Geoffrey was not something I saw coming and it was a shock coming from the refined and orderly character we've come to know.
Deborah Grant gave a fantastic performance with her rage filled yelling towards Geoffrey, and Hugh Dennis' burst of rage was brilliant too.
Overall, Marriage Guidance was brilliant. It did a great job in adding some depth to a part of the show that really needed it. It finally gave the characters a meaningful part and it was just really funny.
The Not Going Out that I know and love is Back!