Ep 7. The Accountant

As the seventh episode of the fourth season of the British sitcom Plebs opens, we find Marcus (Tom Rosenthal), Stylax (Joel Fry), and their slave Grumio (Ryan Sampson) participating in a gladiatorial contest. Their opponent is a larger, stronger, and more skilled fighter, but after some doofy and amusing tactics, Marcus and Stylax manage to knock him out. From there, the trio decides to take out their winnings of 50 denarii on an opulent night out.

As the night progresses, they meet a wealthy man named Crassus (played by Peter Wild), who offers them a place to stay. While there, Marcus and Stylax are baffled to discover that Crassus is actually an accountant. They can’t fathom why someone so rich would choose such a “dull” career.

After a night of partying, Crassus becomes obsessed with balancing their accounts. He proves to be a surprisingly adept accountant and offers to help Marcus and Stylax with their finances. The duo is skeptical at first, not wanting their money to be held hostage. However, they soon discover that having an accountant manage their finances comes with unexpected benefits.

Throughout the episode, the humor is consistent with what fans have come to expect from Plebs: irreverent and absurd. The writing is sharp, and the actors are committed to the humor, often delivering physical comedy that will leave viewers laughing out loud. The plot also does an excellent job of capturing the economic concerns of ancient Rome, making it both a humorous and educational watch.

The show continues to use the classic tropes of the comedy genre, such as the classic case of mistaken identity and the inevitable misunderstandings that follow. For example, Crassus is often confused for other silver spoon aristocrats, and Stylax becomes engrossed in his own financial “genius,” which leads to both surprising and hilarious results.

This episode also highlights the term “plebs,” which literally means ordinary citizens in ancient Rome. The show does an excellent job of highlighting how the plebs were treated as second-class citizens in Rome. This comes across through the characters’ interactions with the upper-class citizens who make regular appearances throughout the episode. As ever, the actors are skilled at showcasing the different views and personalities of the Roman citizens, emphasizing the disparity between the classes and the sometimes bizarre interactions between them.

Overall, “The Accountant” is an entertaining and engaging episode of Plebs. The show continues to provide great comedy with its unique blend of Roman history and modern day humor, proving that there is still room for fresh takes on classic comedy tropes. Fans of the show will undoubtedly enjoy this latest installment in the series. At the same time, those who haven’t seen it before should check it out as there’s something for everyone in this classic British sitcom.