Ep 1. Parralox

In the Absolutely Fabulous Season 4 opener "Parralox," the lives of the show's central duo, Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley), are once again drenched in a tart cocktail of fashion, vices, and sharp-witted commentary on modern life. With their unapologetic love of luxury and debauchery, this pair navigates through life's obstacles with a steadfast determination to stay trendy and youthful, often in comically outrageous ways.

As the episode called "Parralox" unfolds, Edina finds herself grappling with the inexorable advance of age, a universal dread heightened by her immersion in the unforgiving world of fashion and publicity. Edina is a PR guru whose clients are as avant-garde as her erratic and eccentric fashion sense. Patsy, Edina's best friend and enabler, fuels the fire with her equally relentless fear of becoming obsolete in the cutthroat industry that venerates youth above all else.

The episode title "Parralox" refers to a fictional miracle anti-wrinkle injection, a nod to the extremes that some people go to in the pursuit of the fountain of youth. The allure of this new cosmetic solution propels Edina into a whirlwind of anxiety and vanity, as she contemplates whether engaging in such procedures is worth the risk when her professional reputation and self-image are at stake.

Edina's life is ever complicated by her disapproving daughter, Saffron (Julia Sawalha), who approaches her mother's and Patsy's antics with a perpetual eye roll and a sharp tongue. Saffron's grounded nature and scholarly pursuits stand in stark contrast to her mother's indulgent lifestyle, serving as a constant reminder of the generational clash and differing values between the two.

Meanwhile, Patsy remains entrenched in her role as a fashion editor, a position that gives her a front-row seat to the evolving landscape of beauty standards and trends. She is Edina's partner in crime, a chain-smoking, booze-flowing emblem of excess with a penchant for steering them both towards trouble. Their relationship is one of mutual dependence, providing the backbone for the show's explorations of friendship and loyalty amidst chaos.

Mother/assistant Bubble (Jane Horrocks) brings additional hilarity to the episode, with her child-like innocence and outrageous incompetence. Whether she's mismanaging Edina's business affairs or spouting nonsensical phrases, Bubble serves as a delightful source of comic relief.

Themes of vanity and aging are interwoven with sharp societal observations as the characters attend glamorous events, work on photo shoots, and interact with the who's who of the celebrity world. Satirical jabs at television culture, the beauty industry, and the ceaseless pursuit of fame are signature elements that the episode delivers with enthusiasm. The program often extends its humor to target the absurdities of modern living, from obsession with technology and celebrity culture to consumerism and the quest for eternal youth.

While "Parralox" is filled with witty dialogues and flamboyant scenarios, there is an underlying commentary on the lengths people will go to maintain their image, and what that says about the pressures exerted by society. This episode, like the entire series, skates on the edge of farce and reality, pushing characters into hyperbolic versions of themselves without losing the thread of their humanity.

Expect to see Edina and Patsy's indulgence in fashion and their persnickety palette for fine champagne, alongside moments of slapstick comedy as they navigate their glamorously flawed lives. The dynamics between the core characters are the heart of the episode, providing a blend of humor and sometimes unexpected poignancy.

The visual style of the show, with its vivid wardrobe choices, striking set design, and keen eye for detail, helps to immerse the viewer in the opulent and eclectic world that Edina and Patsy inhabit. The soundtrack and editing further complement the pace of the comedy, offering an energized and contemporary feel that keeps audiences engaged.

As is tradition with "Absolutely Fabulous," this episode will deliver laughs, but it will also provoke thought on the deeper issues it lampoons. "Parralox" is another installment in the storied escapades of Edina and Patsy that fans of the series will find outrageous, endearing, and absurdly fabulous.