A new channel 4 series has really caught my attention recently; Dates is host to a multitude of recognisable faces, including Will Mellors and Sheridan Smith. Each episode depicts the relatable cringiness of a first date: trying to impress the other; finding common ground to begin conversations; subtly flirting by playing with your hair.
I stumbled across the first episode on demand when I was sat on my sofa, bored out of my mind after finishing my A levels and having nothing productive to do. I really enjoyed the first episode, however, and after watching the following episodes, it is still my favourite so far.
The first episode showcases the first date of David and Mia (Will Mellor and Oona Chaplin). David is a genuine down to earth guy looking for love again after the tragic death of his childhood sweetheart and mother to his four children. Mia is a seductive singleton who enjoys the attention men give her because of her looks, but who runs at the sight of any true feelings. Initially, Mia plans on standing David up. She turned up at the restaurant, judged him on his outfit, and left him hanging for over half an hour until he finally clicked on. But his stereotypical northern attitude to her 'bullshit' captivated her - it seems she's not used to men standing up to her - and she stayed for the meal. Everything seemed to be going pretty well for a date that started off that awfully, and the sexual tension was evident from the offset. But, there's always a twist in TV, and of course, the lovable David couldn't find happiness in the first episode: Mia 'went to the loo' and didn't come back.
It's not often I watch an episode of a series and am desperate to see the next one immediately, but this is how I felt with Dates. Fortunately, as I caught the first episode a few days after it had been broadcast, two further episodes were available on demand and so I watched them straight after the other. I don't know if this was just because they were available and I had nothing better to do, however, as I didn't enjoy the second and third episode as much as the first.
The second episode starred Sheridan Smith, playing Jennie, a teacher new to London and looking for love. Her date with Nick seems to be going surprisingly well for a first date, until they are interrupted by a 'work call' for Nick. We quickly discover this is a cover up for Nick to disappear and have his way with a young male waiter who had served them earlier in the evening and flirted outrageously with Nick in front of Jennie. I can't decide if this was funny or skin-crawling. Of course, Jennie uncovered Nick's dirty little secret, and seeked her revenge. Earlier in the episode, an uncouth, and more importantly, illegal, habit of Jennie's: she gets an uncontrollable urge to steal little possessions from strangers. At the start of the date, she popped to the loo and came back with a woman's lipstick. She obviously went a little further with Nick, considering his behaviour on their first date. Whilst Nick was still 'making a call', Jennie went into his jacket pocket and stole his wallet. And he was a very successful businessman, so this was quite a steal. Unsuspecting Nick then blamed the waiter for stealing it, before leaving humiliated and wallet-less.
Despite the episodes in this series all being mini-dramas in their own right, as the series develops, links are made between the characters, weaving together to make a pretty complicated tapestry of dating. The third episode, for example, featured Mia as she continued her hunt for love whilst also being fearful of commitment. Her date turns out to be an ex-client of hers (as she used to escort); Stephen is an unfulfilled doctor who is used to getting his own way. There was something strangely irresistible about the pair, as their strong minded natures seemed to complement each other rather than clashing. Despite their date ending in sex in an alley, not to mention the death of an elderly patient, there was promise.
As the episodes interlink more and more, I find myself for compelled to watch them. This is mainly because of my interest in the love triangle between Mia, Stephen and David. However I am also intrigued as to how the other characters will link with this scenario. I'm a sucker for a happy ending, so I'll see the series out until the end just because I can't not know what happens!
Catch up on all the episodes of Dates on 4od here.
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