David Mitchell and Robert Webb, one of British comedy's best-loved double acts, return to screens soon with the sixth season of their critically-acclaimed sitcom, Peep Show. The fifth season left things on as much of a cliffhanger as is possible for a show so far from being driven by its narrative - so what questions are the fans asking leading into Season Six?
Is The Father Mark Or Jeremy?
The most glaringly obvious cliffhanger from last season was the issue of whether or not Sophie (Olivia Coleman) was pregnant with Mark's (David Mitchell) baby, or Jeremy's (Robert Webb). Both potential scenarios yield seemingly unlimited comic potential - Mark's inability to cope with what life throws at him would surely lead to an horrendous attempt at fatherhood, while Jeremy's utter lack of responsibility leads him entirely unprepared to take on such a role.
The two ended Season Five of Peep Show pretending that they didn't care who the father was - one can be sure, however, that many of Mark's panicked trademark inner monologues will take place as he debates with himself the possibility of being a father, while Jeremy will be thinking about anything but fatherhood.
What's Going On With Mark And Sophie?
Mark and Sophie ended Season Five on a knife-edge - still married, but hopelessly unable to cope with the reality that their marriage is a total sham. Sophie just wanted to marry someone, anyone, while Mark didn't want to marry Sophie but didn't have the guts to back out. Mark had pledged to be there for Sophie if the baby was his - but if it's not, the two will surely be back to square one.
Sophie's attraction to Jeremy was acted upon towards the end of Season Five - will she end up with him? Will the despicable Jeff Heaney (Neil Fitzmaurice) rear his head once again? Or will Sophie grow tired of the immaturity on show in Mark and Jeremy's lives and find someone entirely new?
Will Big Suze Be Back?
The elusive 'Big Suze' (Sophie Winkleman), Jeremy's constant love interest, was last seen rejecting him after being seduced by the money and power of Mark's boss, Alan Johnson (Paterson Joseph). As one of the comic highlights of the show, Johnson provides an excellent foil for 'Big Suze' - he makes Jeremy look all the more pathetic, and thus makes 'Big Suze's efforts to let Jeremy down gently all the more amusing.
Jeremy's love life has taken some interesting turns over the course of the show - he is still legally married to Nancy (Rachel Blanchard), while he has also lusted after many other women over the course of the past few seasons. Will he continue to pursue 'Big Suze', and continue to make a fool of himself?
What's Happened To Super Hans?
Super Hans (Matt King) is almost certainly the most off-the-wall character on display in the show, but as a caricature of 'that one guy everyone seems to know who's into drugs and weird music', he is an absolutely stellar comic device. Yet, at the end of Season Five, he was last seen deserting long-time friend Jeremy and smashing Mark's new HD-ready TV, in order to join a bizarre cult.
Hans' presence in the show is surely required to keep it feeling the same as it always has - fans will be wondering whether or not he will return to Jeremy's side, or whether his newfound status as a cult member will stick. Either way, his incredible comic potential will surely be undimmed.
Another Great Season Ahead
Peep Show is one of television's most innovative and interesting sitcoms, and continues to provide an excellent example of why British comedy is at the cutting edge of global audiovisual culture. Mitchell and Webb are two incredibly funny men, and the scripts of Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain are unceasingly sharp and witty. Despite a slightly disappointing Season Five, Season Six must surely bring more cringing, more embarrassment, and certainly more laughs.
