User Reviews

Anna claims to be out having Italian lessons, but a curious Lee follows her, and putting two and two together concludes that she is having an affair.

Back for its thirteenth series, and now one of Britain's longest running sitcoms. This was a funny start to the new series, and proof that there is very definitely still life left in the show.

Plenty of sharp one liners, that Malcolm X line was a scream, best of all the final discovery, even though we all knew it was coming.

There's nothing like an illicit love affair to spice things up, and the twist was very well done.

Hugh Dennis shows that he can do drunken acting brilliantly, good to see an episode focusing on Toby for a change.

8/10.

A Brilliant episode. Full of the same, with punchlines and jokes left right and centre. But this episode has an interesting plot-twist, and was cleverly written. This is a slow burner type story, and it works so well. Everything connects to the dots. And in this case, it all evolves around Lee being suspicious. But before we talk about the story, let's talk about Lee Mack and Hugh Bonnerville.

These two actors have great onscreen chemistry. And whenever there together, there one-liners are intreging and pop culture is the main theme in this story. The performances were better this time around then in the previous two seasons, numbers 11 and 12. And this leads me to my next point. Not going out is a good show, because Lee, being an ordinary guy, that constantly blurs out one-liners, and says the first thing that Pops up in his head. It makes you route for the character, as he's awkward to talk to, and maybe in a sense abit of a nerd. But that's what so great about the siries, as we have got a character that in some way we can all relate too. That's what makes these stories more grounded, and at its disposal using jokes to hook the audience in. In this case, it does a fantastic job of showcasing the great chemistry the cast has, whilst having some LOL moments. With great character development and moments at its core.

The story is fantastic. I like the fact that it's a slow burner. I think that was a clever choice. The first reason why this is a good choice, is the fact that we get more time with our Characters that we have grown to love and even appreciate them over the years. So seeing them have abit more of a character study I think is a breath of fresh air. The story evolves around Anna having lessons. Yep you've guest it, Italian Lessons. She makes a lie and says she was with Lee and Lucy. This ofcourse creates for a debarcle as Lee thinks that Anna is cheating on Tobey. There's a debarcle as Lucy thinks nothing off it. Lee has no proof of this, so decides to take pictures of Anna. For Proof. And if it wasn't crazy enough that Tobey had previously told Lee about her getting back at midnight. So Lee has every right to be concerned of this. Lee gets some cloose as to where and when she might be at a certain place, which is room 23 at a Hotel. Lee meets up with Tobey, a drunken Tobey. Which is all the more hillarious. And gives him more character development. However Tobey mentions to Lee how his work Lady has a crush on him, a massive fat one mind you. So he wants to leave. This makes Lee worried and confused. I like that. Good sense of Irony. And he's not doing it as a joke or a punchline. This adds more character moments, with more emotion. And that's what I like. Drama and tension at it's core, but character moments as it's main premise. They then see Tobeys crush. As she feels him streight away. She too had a great performance. Then they go up to the Hotel room, room 23. She tries to have sex. Whilst Lee is hiding in the Closet and comes out just before they Kiss. His explanation is so that Tobey won't regret anything. This leads to one of the best moments inside the show, that Tobey says He loves Lee with Anna in the room, without those too noticing. That's some good Drama. As it leaves Anna and the audience stunned. And this creates Tension and buildup to then a pay-off, or what is really a plot twist at the end. The Slow build up approach makes it all the more clever.

And I've always loved the Powerful music in this show, it's great listening too it. It's upbeat and works well with the slower pace entry as it gives it a bit of life, and reminds us that this episode whilst small in size, isn't afraid to take big and bold risks.

The drawbacks of this episode is the fact the Lady at the Hotel didn't spot Lee sooner. As he was quite obviously taking pictures of Anna. And you could even hear it. So that's kind of dumb. But other then that odd choice I loved this Episode. Dot to Dot, everything in this story connects well, and the themes and the elements are better and bolder then ever before, as I have just previously mentioned. Go watch it. What are you waiting for. Now time for the bit you have been waiting for, my verdict.

Verdict,

8.5/🔟 A superb story, great acting and chemistry, and great beats from the story that's also well integrated with the Music.

Back for a thirteenth (and rumoured final) series, 'Not Going Out' returns to do exactly what it does well - fire out quick-fire jokes, and put Lee Mack in lots of farcical situations.

I thought this was a good if unspectacular episode (clearly filmed around the run up to Christmas), but certainly one that had lots of funny moments along the way.

It's a shame that they couldn't find Sally Bretton as Lucy more to do than just dealing with a seemingly endless line of washing, but hopefully she'll be more pivotal to proceedings as the series progresses.

On the whole if you've not enjoyed the previous twelve series of this show you'll find nothing to alter your view, but if you have, you'll welcome this back I'm sure.

Anna requests Lee and Lucy to cover up for her by saying she was having tea with them. She is having Italian lessons so she can speak the language next time they go on holiday to Italy.

Anna does not want Toby to know, keep it a surprise. Lee smells a rat especially when Toby tells him that she went out wearing some revealing clothes.

Lee follows Anna and finds out that she has a reservation at a hotel on a Friday night. Only Anna suspects Toby is having an affair. He is due at the same hotel on Friday for a leaving do of a female work colleague. One that has the hots for Toby.

A corny episode but Lee Mack still manages to keep it funny. Even if it's not as sharp as earlier seasons and you could guess just who will end up in bed with Toby.