Last Man Standing: Episode 11

Writer: Marieke Hardy
Director: Jeffrey Walker

Plot Synopsis: Taia, now living in the apartment above Adam, has decided to throw a party. Despite being hung-up on him still, she decides to invite Adam and all of his friends. Problematically for her, neither Adam, nor any of her own friends, turn up. It’s a fairly shit party. Taia knows it. The guests know it.

Meanwhile downstairs, Adam has been seeking to escape the party by watching the Football on TV. After being burdened by refugees from Taia’s party, Adam throws all the freeloading guys out of the apartment.  Adam then escapes his apartment to go drinking with Boxey. At the local pub, A resplendent-looking Boxey, dressed in a suit and tie, is challenged to square a bet, prompting him to do a nudie run around the pub.

So, what now? Well, the only course of action is for Boxey to take Adam to a brothel. Adam remains unamused, even after being coaxed into a bathtub. Boxey remains completely amused, playing a game of fantasy football with one of the prostitutes. Footy guernsey included.

Interestingly, while there, Boxey goes by the name of Boxey Daytos. A real name? Unlikely. He also informs Adam that he was commissioned to write some erotic fiction. Boxey is a professional writer?

Back at the party, Ollie gets increasingly upset that Zoe has spent all night hanging off Cameron after he came with his new girlfriend – the exceedingly hot Janessa. Ollie breaks off the relationship with Zoe.

Adam returns home that night and makes a call to Zoe’s phone. Being the wee hours of the morning, she doesn’t answer. As Adam listens to her answering machine message, he realises he can also listen to the messages left on her phone. Upon hearing one from an apologetic Ollie wanting to patch things up, Adam defies his moral code and deletes the message.

Fade to black.

Thoughts: What an amazingly fun episode. Any time Boxey is given an opportunity to play an effective role in an episode, it’s almost as if it gives the show permission to have fun. With such a Boxey-heavy presence this episode, the eccentricities of the show were in full force.

Interestingly, while the show kept its washed-out colour palette, the cinematographer had the outdoor party scenes looking vibrant and super colourful. It was a great look for the show and really jazzed it up. Visually, Director Jeffrey Walker really made this episode pop. It was great.

For an episode that was clearly structured to serve a bridging function to evolve the character arcs on the show, bringing simmering relationship dramas to boil, the episode really delivered a good dose of charm. Ultimately, this serves to be a lot more valuable to the show than the relationships pay-off will be.

Recurring: Greg Fleet as Boxey. Fletcher Humphreys is actually great in this episode as Anto. Peta Sergeant makes a return appearance as Janessa, following last weeks introduction. And Nikola Dubois returns as Taia. What we haven’t heard is Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side on the soundtrack for a few episodes now.

Quotent Quotables: “I once went to the most amazing party at Molly Meldrums house in Richmond. We ended up streaking at the MCG. Mollys a really fast runner.”