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Excuse
Partygaranda
Series
Episode
5
Airdate
9 December 2009
Ratings
2.43 Million
Running time
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Production code
{{{pc}}}
Flashback
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Flash-forward
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Flash sideways
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Centric character(s)
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Ratings
2.43 Million
Recurring Characters
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Supporting Characters
Adrian Scarborough - Charlie
James Bachman - Quentin
Dominic Coleman - Customer
Alex Hassell - Edmund Detorri
Special Guest Star(s)
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Celebrity Appearance(s)
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Minor or Uncredited Roles
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Archive footage
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Excuse is the fifth episode of Series 1 and was broadcast on BBC One on 7 December 2009.

Plot[]

After a mortifying wedding experience, during which the bride simply passed Miranda her bouquet, and someone shouted 'as if,' Penny is determined to find her daughter a husband. She decides to throw a Pride and Prejudice themed party in a bid to introduce Miranda to an eligible young man.

In a panicked attempt to get out of going to the party and avoiding being set up, Miranda gives her mother a number of increasingly bizarre excuses, but Penny is having none of it, and insists that the party is happening, regardless. Gary is happy enough to go along, because the restaurant needs the business.

When Tilly then sets Miranda up with "Dreamboat" Charlie, she realizes that, despite her hatred of being set up, this could be her lucky escape from going to the party. She agrees to meet Charlie at the restaurant, telling Gary and Clive to save her if she signals them. When Charlie arrives, however, a full head shorter than than Miranda, and appallingly behaved, her amused friends step back to watch.

Charlie begins by telling her that his nickname comes from an experience he had on a floating brothel which then sank. He then tells Miranda that Tilly "knows I fancy women I wouldn't necessarily beat in a fight." Miranda frantically signals Gary and Clive who are no help at all, laughing at her plight. The date ends when Miranda throws a glass of wine over herself in an attempt to make a quick exit, telling Gary and Clive she will get them, and climbs over the counter to do so.

1

After a brainstorming session with Stevie and the Customer, she comes up with a plan; in a last-ditch attempt to stop the party from happening, Miranda announces to her mother that she is a lesbian, much to Penny's delight, who admits she always had her suspicions and understands the "lure of the lily." She adds that and her husband now owes her 50 quid. Clive who had been eavesdropping, ran off to tell Gary he owes him 50 pounds as well.

The party is changed to a Tipping the Velvet-themed "coming out" party where Miranda meets someone who could well be the man of her dreams and so immediately announces that she is, in fact, straight. Too bad the new guy has a horrible squeaky voice.

Quotes[]

Penny: Darling, it was mortifying at the wedding on Saturday. The bride didn't throw her bouquet, just passed it to Miranda while someone shouted, "As if!"

---

Miranda: Mum, listen, I don't want....
Penny: Such fun!
Miranda: No, I don't think....
Penny: Such fun! Such fun! Such fun! Such fun! Such fun! Such fun! Such fun!
Miranda: I told you! It's so effective and so annoying.

---

Tilly: I know you hate being set up, but I have found you someone tremendulent. He's an ex-Army doctor. "Dreamboat Charlie." You would not be punching below your weight, he's a total nudulator.

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