Here’s a proper, critical review of the complete series of Peep Show (Seasons 1–4, noting that the show actually ran for 9 seasons total; this review will focus on the first four as requested, while acknowledging the show’s full arc). Overview Peep Show , created by Andrew O’Connor and Jesse Armstrong (later of Succession fame), and Sam Bain, premiered in 2003. The first four seasons (2003–2007) lay the foundation for what would become one of the most influential British sitcoms of the 21st century. The show uses a unique first-person POV + internal monologue format, putting you inside the heads of two flatmates: the repressed, neurotic loan manager Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) and the lazy, amoral freeloader Jeremy “Jez” Usbourne (Robert Webb).

– Escalating stakes, darker laughs Mark proposes to Sophie (disaster ensues). Jez tries to “grow up” by getting a job at a bowling alley and dating a much older woman. The Christmas episode “Season’s Beatings” is a bleak holiday classic, featuring a disastrous turkey dinner, a fistfight, and Mark’s internal scream: “This is absolutely bonkers. I’m in a bad film.” The Sophie-Mark engagement storyline peaks with “Quantocking” (a tense weekend away). The show starts leaning harder into pure psychological horror disguised as comedy. Grade: A- – Slightly less consistent than S2, but higher highs.

– Perfection begins Widely considered the best of the early run. Mark dates a posh, seemingly perfect woman named Sophie (Olivia Colman in a star-making turn), while Jez gets involved with a “free spirit” named Nancy (Rachel Blanchard). The episode “Mugging” (Mark gets mugged; Jez pretends to be a hero) is a cringe masterpiece. The show’s cruelty—to its characters and by its characters—hits a sweet spot. The infamous “rainbow rhythms” scene (Jez’s fake band) is pure gold. Grade: A – No weak episodes.

(Full series with S5–9: 9/10)

“Mugging” (S2E1) – Perfect 23 minutes of social dread. Worst Episode (S1–4): None truly bad, but “Conference” (S3E3) drags slightly.