In the dimly lit, cobblestone streets of London, as the clock's hands inexorably align at midnight, the second episode of "Still Up" unfurls a poignant tale of loss, redemption, and the indomitable bond linking two insomniac spirits. Titled "The Dress," and masterfully directed by John Addis with a script penned by the series' creators, Steve Burge and Natalie Walter, this installment delves deep into the labyrinthine lives of Danny and Lisa, as they traverse the labyrinthine corridors of their sleepless nights and the shadows of secrets they guard from both the world and each other.
The episode opens on Lisa (portrayed with haunting vulnerability by Antonia Thomas), a woman whose past casts a long, sinister shadow over her present. On this fateful night, her journey begins with a solitary bus ride through the silent, ghostly streets of London, a stark contrast to the eerie solitude that usually accompanies her nights. The bus, a microcosm of London's nocturnal soul, pulses with the unspoken narratives of countless lives, one of which is soon destined to intertwine with Lisa's own.
As Lisa watches a heartfelt video message from Veggie (Blake Harrison), her partner, a group of rowdy teenagers boards the bus, their brash presence serving as a stark reminder of the bullies who once tormented her. Just when the weight of her memories seems to bear down upon her, a call from Danny (Craig Roberts) pierces through the night, offering her a lifeline, a bridge to a world beyond her isolation. When Danny inquisitively asks about her nocturnal travels, Lisa unburdens her soul, sharing the tale of a stolen pair of shoes and the aunt who emerged as her unsung hero.
Aunt Em's (played with warmth by Linda Hargreaves) emerald green dress, a timeless symbol of Lisa's turbulent past, becomes the linchpin of her quest. The dress, borrowed for a graduation ceremony and never returned, now holds the key to Lisa's redemption. Her audacious plan to stealthily return it to her aunt's house, mere hours before a funeral, stands as a poignant testament to her relentless desire to right past wrongs and find closure amidst the sorrow of loss.
Meanwhile, Danny's own predicament unfolds amidst his entanglement with Amy (Lois Chimimba), a match from a dating app. His apprehension of rejection and the humiliation stemming from his day's work—an eccentric sculpture of Michael Fassbender sculpted from blue tack—serves as a humorous backdrop, highlighting his character's fragile vulnerability. Lisa's encouragement to reconnect with Amy provides him with the much-needed courage, yet his dread of the external world remains a formidable obstacle.
The bus ride takes an unexpected turn when Lisa's bag, containing the dress, mysteriously disappears. The startling discovery that Tyler (Albert Magashi), one of the teenagers, is wearing the dress, triggers a sequence of events that compels Lisa to confront her haunting past. Her attempts to reclaim the dress are met with defiance, mirroring the bullying she endured during her youth.
Danny's own fears surface when he inadvertently sends a private photograph to Amy instead of Lisa. The sudden appearance of a pigeon in his apartment, a symbol of the unpredictability lurking beyond his controlled sanctuary, fuels his panic. His perpetual fear of danger and the unknown remains a recurring theme that immobilizes him, preventing him from taking decisive action.
Lisa's moment of empowerment arrives as she recalls Aunt Em's words, "Never let the bastards win." Her daring decision to strip down to her underwear in front of Tyler forces him to relinquish the dress. This bold act represents a moment of triumph, a victorious stand against the bullies who have haunted her for years.
As Lisa sneaks into Aunt Em's house to conceal the dress, Danny's fears are momentarily dispelled when Amy reassures him that his perceived flaw is merely an ingrown hair. The pigeon's return, crashing against the window from the outside, symbolizes the relentless cycle of fear that continues to impede Danny's progress.
"The Dress" is a poignant delve into the characters' internal conflicts and the strength derived from friendship. It is a night filled with mishaps that lead to personal growth, as Lisa retrieves a fragment of her past and Danny confronts his fears. The episode exemplifies the show's ability to intertwine humor with profound themes, crafting a narrative that resonates deeply with the audience long after the screen fades to black.
