Coupling

Size Matters

Season 1, Episode 2, Aired 5/19/00

Episode Summary

Susan and Steve prepare to go on their first date (or at least, their first date without their friends gatecrashing.) Susan suggests that she'll cook, sparking debate as to whether that means she's inviting Steve to have sex too. Susan tells Sally - and Steve - that Patrick is particularly well-endowed. This leaves Sally with a tricky dilemma: she's always sworn never to have sex with a Tory, but Patrick is a very big boy... Meanwhile, Steve is increasingly intimidated by Patrick's huge reputation, until Susan finally puts him at ease.moreless

8.8

EPISODE RATING: Great

102 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

Kate Isitt

Sally Harper
Gina Bellman

Jane Christie
Jack Davenport

Steve Taylor

Fan Episode Reviews (3)

See All

Steve and Susan's first date. Alone.

8.6

"Great"

By Angel200489, Feb 12, 2008 Report Abuse

Steve and Susan arrange to go on another date, this time without the others. This is done predominantly via Steve making a phone call to Susan, during which he can't think of anything to say. Susan suggests that she will cook for Steve, which Jeff and Patrick both claim is a sign that sex will follow. This prompts Jeff to explain the mysteries of the "Sock Gap" to Steve. Meanwhile, Sally has to reconcile her desire to have sex with Patrick (who Susan assures her is very big indeed) with the fact that he's a Tory. Patrick's reputation also plays on Steve's mind.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
0 0
"I have forgotten in one moment of embarrassment, the ENTIRE english language..." Puppies in a car, package size and the sock gap.

8.0

"Great"

By colmorgankydd1, Jul 30, 2006 Report Abuse

Jeff-isms are coming thick and fast now! The Sock Gap is when you're undressing for sex, and are you all ready for the act, or are you a naked person wearing socks?
Susan's invited Steve over for dinner, and the guys and the girls are asking the question: Is it dinner, or is it dinner and sex?
Steve's a little nervous, either way. First he keeps 'pausing' when on the phone to Susan, then the boys tell him to 'check out Susan's remote controls'. Performance anxiety, package size, the 'fish course' and whom you have sexual fantasies about. Sally takes a sudden interest in Patrick. Terrific stuff.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
0 0
Steve and Susan's first at-home date- with cooking!

8.8

"Great"

By VerityJackson, Aug 19, 2005 Report Abuse

The subject of socks and nakedness, when does cooking for your date mean more than just cooking, what remotes reveal about a gal, how intermixed are politics and a good shag, and are your friends nearly as wierd as Jane?

A hilarious discussion of phone pauses, which are likened to The Blob- and for which Patrick comes up with a brilliant metaphor!- accompanies a discussion of The Sock Gap.

At dinner, Steve explains how women are one up on guys during a date.

Jane goes unorthodox with her definition of homosexuality. ("Person-sexual!")

Sally tries to throw over her political convictions for some time with Big Boy Patrick.

A very fun episode that's highly recommended!moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
2 0

Write a Review

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

Trivia
ADD TRIVIA
- JEFFISM: The Sock Gap - The point where a man decides to remove his socks before becoming intimate. Jeff's recommendation is between shoe removal and pant removal. Edit
- The number of drinks consumed by the gang at the bar gradually increases from scene to scene. Edit
- This is the first mention of Steve's facination with Mariella Frostrup. It is also the first mention of Susan's crush on Angus Deayton. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- The first appearance of Mariella Frostrup who will appear one more time in season 3 premiere. Edit
- Basis of the AmeriCoupling episode of the same title, with all the political dialog changed using American political figures as opposed to Thatcher and Blair. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Howard: Jane! I am gay. And I've always, always been gay. I was the sperm at the back shouting "No! Don't send me into that big scary cave!" I was the only sperm that had to be chased by the egg. Don't you get it? I'm gay! Edit
- Susan: I don't want you to get unduly excited, but I'm off to cook. Steve: Great. Susan: You can come and watch. In that order. Edit
- Jane (about Howard): Isn't he just perfect? Susan: He's gorgeous! Jane: And tonight, he's mine... Steve: Jane, isn't he gay? Jane: Fascist! Steve: No! I'm just saying he goes out with men, not women, men! Jane: Ta-dah! I'm bisexual! Edit
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS
- Jeff: Yeah, like in The Blob. The Blob is an independently made American horror/science-fiction film from 1958 depicting a giant amoeba-like alien that terrorizes the small community of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Edit
- Jeff tells Steve to check all of Susan's remotes for batteries, implying that the batteries are used for other kinds of entertainment and enjoyment. Steve's nightmarish daydream also illustrates what the lads think the batteries might be used for. Edit
- Patrick: (acts scared) You're oppressing me. Patrick's delivery of the line is like in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail in which a peasant says the same thing. Edit