Fleabag 1x1 ((exclusive))

Fleabag 1x1 works because it refuses to be one thing. It is raunchy and hilarious—the "Arsehole Guy" sequence is a standout of cringe comedy—but it is also devastatingly sad. It captures the specific exhaustion of being a woman in your late 20s who feels like they are "failing" at adulthood.

: Fleabag attempts to secure a small business loan for her failing guinea pig-themed cafe. In a moment of stress-induced distraction, she accidentally unzips her dress, leading the bank manager to deny her loan after she appears to "flash" him. Fleabag 1x1

When "Fleabag 1x1" aired, critics were polarized. The Guardian called it "a dirty, dazzling half-hour of despair." The Telegraph was more cautious, noting it "risks alienating viewers with its relentless cynicism." However, by the time the episode ended with the silent hamster wheel and the laundromat flashback, consensus shifted. Everyone realized they had watched a tragedy dressed up as a romp. Fleabag 1x1 works because it refuses to be one thing

The first episode of Fleabag immediately deconstructs the “manic pixie dream girl” or “sad girl” trope by giving its protagonist full control over her narrative (through the asides) while simultaneously showing her losing control of her life. It was praised for its fearless writing, Waller-Bridge’s performance, and its ability to switch from raunchy comedy to devastating drama within seconds. : Fleabag attempts to secure a small business

There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes with trying to hold it all together. You smile, you nod, you make the joke, you swan through the room pretending you aren't drowning. We’ve all done it. But few characters have ever weaponized that exhaustion quite like Fleabag .

Within the first ten minutes, Waller-Bridge brilliantly deconstructs the "unlikeable female character" trope. Fleabag is selfish, she’s broke, and she is accidentally rude to almost everyone she meets. Yet, we root for her. Why? Because she turns to the camera.

When the episode aired in 2016, it felt revolutionary. Today, it feels like a blueprint.