British Comedy Guide

The Alan Partridge appreciation society Page 8

alan: "How's The Edge?"
fake-bono: "The Edge is fine"
a:"How's Adam Clayton?"
f-b:"Adam Clayton is fine"
a:"How's...the drummer?"
f-b:"the drummer is fine"

Right, so I re-watched "Bravealan" for the umpteenth time yesterday. What IS going on in Michael's house? I know that it's meant to be vague/seedy, but is there any explanation at all?

Quote: MrsLogicFromViz @ 14th November 2024, 9:03 PM

Right, so I re-watched "Bravealan" for the umpteenth time yesterday. What IS going on in Michael's house? I know that it's meant to be vague/seedy, but is there any explanation at all?

I don't think so, but it's certainly a strange, amusingly awkward scene. It shows how people you see regularly and think you know, can seem so different when in a different environment - like when work colleagues meet up socially and realise that their friendships only really make sense in a work context.

There was a fan theory that Michael lives in a drugs den because of the reference to only having a spoon in the bathroom or something.

I suppose it's a bit like the contents of the drawer in Alan's hotel room, we're not really given an explanation so it's up to the viewer's imagination.

Ah, thank you, you're absolutely right about the juxtaposition between home and work - I think this is why I tended to avoid colleagues on the train as I had no chat to cover a 40 minute journey through the fascinating areas of Lewisham or say, Denmark Hill.

I reckon that it's a drug house too from the spoon comment. Also, the large bloke who departs the house looks very shady indeed. Michael's also watching something/someone in the corner of the room. Bizarre.

It's testament to the writing of Coogan, Baynham and Ianucci that comedy fans are still pondering the nuances decades later.

I'd say Michael also has a bit of PTSD, which adds to his unpredictability. And Bravealan is a great episode from the criminally underrated second series.

Quote: chipolata @ 15th November 2024, 10:22 AM

I'd say Michael also has a bit of PTSD, which adds to his unpredictability. And Bravealan is a great episode from the criminally underrated second series.

Ah yes, he could have, although wasn't it revealed in Alpha Papa that Michael had fabricated the whole thing?

I re-watch it so many times and there's always something new. Genius writing. I also own the script book which I picked up in a charity shop.

Actually I'd forgotten about the Michael stuff in the excellent Alpha Papa. I shall have to go back and rewatch it to see if it changes how I think about the character in earlier shows.

Please do! I also have the script book for Alpha Papa upstairs, plus I've seen it at least thrice, including with two colleagues when it was first released in the cinema. Didn't Coogan host the premiere in Norwich? Ah, UEA.

I'm off to see where it's available for rent/hire/sale so that I can check it out for a fourth time.

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