Ep 2. Death
- TV-14
- October 12, 2006
- 28 min
-
7.4 (132)
Lee, a slacker, and his roommate Kate share a flat in London. In episode 2 of season 1 of Not Going Out, titled "Death," Lee finds himself discussing his funeral plans with Kate. The conversation is sparked by Lee receiving a reminder via his phone to update his will. When Kate mocks him for being so unprepared for death, Lee decides to take the matter seriously and plans out his funeral.
Lee seeks advice from his friend Tim, who suggests that he should try to enjoy the rest of his life rather than worrying about death. However, Lee remains determined to create the perfect funeral and even visits a funeral home to make arrangements. There, he meets a funeral planner named Rachel, who takes advantage of his naive nature to upsell him on various unnecessary items for his funeral.
Meanwhile, Kate is off to a yoga retreat with her friend Emma. However, things take a dark turn when Emma dies due to an allergic reaction. Kate is in shock and tries to make sense of what happened. When she returns home, Lee tries to comfort her but keeps bringing up death, which upsets Kate even more.
In an attempt to ease the tension, Kate suggests that they both plan their funerals together, with each person deciding what would be best for the other. Lee, who is still obsessed with his own funeral, struggles to focus on Kate's wishes. He takes her to the funeral home and begins planning out her funeral, but Kate is repulsed by the whole idea and tells Lee that she's not ready to die.
Throughout the episode, Lee and Kate's interactions underscore their differing attitudes towards death. Lee is fixated on the idea of planning his funeral, while Kate is more focused on enjoying her life. It's only through their final conversation that they come to understand each other's perspective. As they sit on the couch, Lee admits that he's afraid of death and that planning his funeral makes him feel more in control. Kate, on the other hand, is afraid of death but believes that life is worth living in the present.
Overall, "Death" is a thought-provoking episode that explores themes of mortality, fear, and control. Lee's obsession with death is humorous at times, but it's also a way for him to confront his own anxieties and prepare for the future. Kate, on the other hand, serves as a counterpoint to Lee's morbid preoccupation, representing the more positive and life-affirming perspective. In the end, the two characters come to a deeper understanding of each other and their own mortality.