Ep 2. Sectioning

In Peep Show season 3 episode 2 titled "Sectioning", we find Mark struggling to come to terms with his breakup from Sophie. As he tries to navigate through the depression and the sense of loss, he becomes increasingly paranoid about his own mental stability.

Meanwhile, Jeremy is trying his hand at becoming a successful musician and is highly optimistic about an upcoming gig he has. He drags Mark to his rehearsal, where we see the stark contrast between the two characters: Mark is uptight, cynical, and insecure, while Jeremy is carefree, impulsive, and self-assured.

As the episode progresses, Mark becomes more and more convinced that he is losing his mind. He becomes fixated on the idea of being sectioned (i.e. forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital), and starts to behave in erratic ways in order to prove to himself that he is indeed unwell.

While Mark is spiraling out of control, Jeremy is busy chasing after Toni, a woman he met at his gig. Initially, Toni seems to be highly interested in Jeremy, but as the night progresses, she becomes increasingly disenchanted with his lack of ambition and his lack of musical talent.

In typical Peep Show fashion, the episode is full of cringe-worthy moments, dark humor, and moments of profound sadness. We see Mark trying to cling onto his sanity and his sense of self, while Jeremy bounces from one distraction to the next, never fully committing to anything.

At its core, "Sectioning" is a meditation on the difficulties of dealing with mental health issues, the high stakes of romantic relationships, and the pursuit of artistic success. Mark and Jeremy are both searching for something, but they seem to be moving further and further away from it with each passing day.

As the episode draws to a close, we see Mark hitting rock bottom. He exhibits bizarre behavior in front of his colleagues, ultimately leading to a confrontation that threatens to end his career. Meanwhile, Jeremy has a moment of clarity where he realizes that he needs to commit to something if he wants to achieve success.

Overall, "Sectioning" is a thought-provoking episode that challenges viewers to confront difficult subjects with honesty and humor. The performances by David Mitchell and Robert Webb are exceptional, as usual, and the writing by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain is sharp and insightful. Fans of Peep Show will not be disappointed.