Ep 2. Manny's First Day

Bernard Black, played by Dylan Moran, a grumpy and eccentric bookseller, and his trusty but naive assistant, Manny Bianco, portrayed by Bill Bailey, are back for the second episode of season one of 'Black Books.' In this episode, entitled 'Manny's First Day,' Manny begins his new job at Black Books, which proves to be a challenging experience for the newcomer.

The episode begins with a series of flashbacks, revealing Manny's backstory and how he ended up working at Black Books. We see Manny in his former job as an accountant, feeling unfulfilled and bored with his mundane desk job. In a moment of desperation, Manny walks out of his job and wanders aimlessly through London's bustling streets. He stops to peer into the window of Black Books, and the chaos and disarray inside catch his eye. Manny enters the shop and meets Bernard, who, in his abrasive and dismissive way, offers him a job.

As the episode progresses, we see Manny's first day on the job at Black Books, and immediately, the challenges begin. Bernard offers Manny "proper" tea and instructs him to make it using a specific teapot, but Manny accidentally breaks it. Bernard then insists on showing Manny how to use the till, but it proves to be too much for Manny, resulting in him accidentally causing a blackout in the shop. We also see Manny's struggles with the customers, who are all eccentric and demanding, including a hypochondriac who wants to buy a book on rare diseases and a German woman looking for a book on potatoes.

Meanwhile, Bernard is avoiding paying his taxes by using a fake name, Manny is getting blamed for everything that goes wrong in the shop, and Fran, Bernard's friend, and neighbor, is trying to get Bernard to participate in an art exhibition. Despite all the chaos and mishaps, Manny remains positive and enthusiastic throughout his first day at Black Books.

The climax of the episode sees Manny facing an exam on the contents of the books in the shop, which Bernard deems to be vital knowledge for his new assistant. Manny has not had enough time to read the books, and as a result, he must use his wit and charm to win over Bernard. Manny proves himself to be quick-thinking, funny, and charming, and eventually, Bernard concedes that Manny is not as bad as he initially thought.

Overall, 'Manny's First Day' is a hilarious episode that showcases the fantastic chemistry between Moran and Bailey. The episode is full of absurdity and wacky characters, with no shortage of laughs. Bailey's portrayal of Manny is endearing and relatable, while Moran's portrayal of Bernard is both infuriating and hilarious. The episode sets the stage for the rest of the season, with plenty of craziness, hijinks, and laughs to come.