Black Books

The Blackout

Season 1, Episode 4, Aired 10/20/00

Episode Summary

Manny overdoses on coffee and cop shows after getting an espresso machine for his birthday and is mistaken for a policeman after attempting to thwart a purse-snatching. Fran and Bernard gradually exchange embarrassing stories about injuries they sustained the previous day.

9.1

EPISODE RATING: Superb

79 votes

Your Rating: 10

"Perfect"
Your Rating: 9.5

"Superb"
Your Rating: 9

"Superb"
Your Rating: 8.5

"Great"
Your Rating: 8

"Great"
Your Rating: 7.5

"Good"
Your Rating: 7

"Good"
Your Rating: 6.5

"Fair"
Your Rating: 6

"Fair"
Your Rating: 5.5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 4.5

"Poor"
Your Rating: 4

"Poor"
Your Rating: 3.5

"Bad"
Your Rating: 3

"Bad"
Your Rating: 2.5

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 2

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 1.5

"Abysmal"
Your Rating: 1

"Abysmal"

Rate It

Watch Online

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Dylan Moran

Bernard Ludwig Black
Tamsin Greig

Fran Katzenjammer
Bill Bailey

Manny Bianco

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

See All

Bernard can't remember what he did last night. Fran thinks her beau is seeing someone else. And Manny thinks he's a cop. Then things get worse... [SPOILERS INSIDE]

10

"Perfect"

By Nemesisoverride, Oct 29, 2006 Report Abuse

This is quite simply one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Manny as a cop high on expresso, running around and ducking when someone drops a book...classic. The injuries from one's own stupidity that Fran and Bernard incur: priceless. And of course Belly Savalas. I'm just sorry we couldn't see Cabumbo (well, not that sorry). This episode also highlights Bernard's way with children. "Oh the songs, Jimbo, they'd melt your face." Then of course, there's what the "happy go lucky scamp" Bernard and his lovely gifts, and the way he always knows what room he's in. Fran's boyfriend troubles are also a great plotline.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
2 0

Write a Review

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

Trivia
- Help by adding trivia to this episode. Add trivia
Notes
ADD NOTES
- Dylan Moran (as Bernard) tried desperately to make Liam Hess, the young child in this episode, laugh. He improvised an entire song, which went "I live alone in a tree. I live alone in a tree. I live alone in a tree, and nobody loves me. Cows in the morning. Cows in the morning 1, 2, 3. Up and at 'em, up and at 'em with a pick. I live by the river with my mother in a house, she washes, I cook and we never go out. I'm a simple cow, living a simple life, but sometimes I feel exploited. Ireland will never be free until I can marry my brother. Oh I love you Eileen Bueag. I love you Eileen Bueag. I love your teeth and your eyes and your face. I love your knees, and your house and your place. I love your couch, and your mother and your teeth. I love your cupboards and your loft and your swimming pool, I love you I love you I love you I love you Eileen Bueag, but leave us alone now for the minute." The song can be found in the outtakes of the Season One DVD. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- (Bernard is discussing his dinner party friends Gerald and Sarah) Bernard: Sarah's an interior designer. She's on that programme, you know – Pet Surprise. Manny: Pet Surprise? What's that? Bernard: You know the thing. They take the dog for a walk, he thinks it's a normal walk, but when he comes back, the kennel has a patio and French doors. Manny: Yeah, and they take the blindfold off and its like "Oh My God". Right. Edit
- Gerald: Look at Jimbo! Bernard: What? He looks surprised. All children look surprised. Everything's new to them! Edit
- Bernard: You know Gerald and Sarah? Fran: Gerald... uh... your friend. Bernard: Friend?! When I first came to London, he, he put me up, he lent me money, he helped me find a job, he helped me find this place. I was, I was an incredibly good friend to him. And, even though, even though I fancied his girlfriend, I did not make a pass at her. Well, once. Twice. A few times. But not after I realised just how angry it made him. Well, once, but only because... Fran: Get on with the story. Edit
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS
- The Sweeney The Sweeney was a British television police drama, which featured two characters combating armed robbery and violent crime, much as Manny does in this episode. Edit
- Pet Surprise A satire on the reality TV shows like "DIY SOS", "Changing Rooms", "Extreme Makeover" etc. where the family or couple is taken off to a hotel while the crew and maintenance people change the house or other living space beyond all recognition. Edit