In the hush of the night, where shadows whisper secrets and time stands still, two insomniacs find comfort in each other's presence, their voices weaving through the veil of darkness as they navigate the enigmatic landscape of their sleep-deprived existences. The premiere episode of "Still Up" Season 1, aptly titled "The Pharmacy," delves into the intertwining lives of Daniel Gibson, alias Danny (brilliantly essayed by Craig Roberts), and Lisa (portrayed with finesse by Antonia Thomas), whose paths converge in the most unforeseen of circumstances amidst their nocturnal battles.
The episode unfolds with an intimate glimpse into Danny's sanctuary, now a gilded cage forged by his relentless insomnia. Roberts skillfully encapsulates the character's internal turmoil as he wavers on the brink of illuminating his apartment, haunted by the fear that his bizarre alibi—an extravagant month-long odyssey to every Disneyland in the globe—might be unraveled by his eccentric neighbor, the enigmatic Cat Man (deliciously portrayed by Rich Fulcher). Danny's quarters, shrouded in an impenetrable veil of darkness, stand as a silent, poignant testament to his profound isolation and deceitful endeavors.
As the velvet night stretches on, Danny's gnawing hunger propels him to order a pizza, an odd amalgamation of anchovies and pineapple, a culinary daredevilry that foreshadows his unconventional lifestyle. The arrival of Carl (David Alade), the pizza delivery guy, injects a zest of comedy and suspense into the unfolding tale. Carl's relentless pursuit of a delivery confirmation photo with Danny, amidst the Cat Man's persistent interruptions and the buzzing of Carl's insistent device, creates a symphony of physical comedy and impeccable timing, turning an otherwise mundane encounter into a laugh-out-loud spectacle.
Meanwhile, Lisa embarks on her own nocturnal odyssey, venturing into the depths of a pharmacy to secure medication for her daughter, Poppy, afflicted with chickenpox. Lisa's quaint attempt to camouflage Poppy's condition with a whimsical sheep mask adds a quirky, endearing twist to the narrative. Her encounter with Zach's mother at the pharmacy unfolds as a comically awkward social exchange, where Lisa's carefully guarded secret is inadvertently unveiled, prompting an abrupt departure and an unexpected act of kindness that warms the cockles of one's heart.
The episode pivots into an intriguing direction when Lisa, still ensconced within the confines of the pharmacy, makes a bold decision to craft a dating profile for Danny. Her motive, fueled by a genuine wish to see him content and not solitary, underscores the profound bond they share despite their lack of a face-to-face encounter. The unveiling that Lisa is a 90% match for Danny serves as an emotional highlight, emphasizing the serendipitous nature of their connection and the unspoken sentiments potentially simmering beneath the surface of their friendship.
As the night unfolds, Lisa's reflection on her relationship with Veggie (Blake Harrison) introduces an additional layer of emotional intricacy to the narrative. Veggie's lesser compatibility rating and his presence at her home, nurturing her daughter, pose a moral quandary for Lisa. Her inner turmoil is acutely felt, as she wrestles with the notion of betraying Veggie's affections with the lure of Danny's potential.
The episode concludes with a startling twist, as Lisa discovers that the pharmacist has been deceased for over three hours, stranding her within the eerie confines of the pharmacy. This macabre revelation appends a darkly humorous tone to the episode's climax, as Lisa's evening takes an unanticipated detour.
"The Pharmacy" is a delightful amalgamation of humor, poignancy, and the quirks of human connections. It showcases the virtuosity of its lead performers, the ingenious scriptwriting, and the show's distinctive premise. As Danny and Lisa's lives continue to intertwine through the night, the episode leaves viewers with a tantalizing sense of anticipation for the sleepless adventures that lie ahead in subsequent episodes.
