Catastrophe is a hilarious new sitcom that strays far from the cliché and lures us in with brilliant dialogue, superb characters and a top-notch cast. Written by Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, this show explores the comically dramatic consequences of a brief affair.
One-night stands with complete strangers can go either way: they might turn out to be the best, most intense and “free” sex you’ve ever had, or they might turn into massive disappointments following a steamy make-out session in the club. In the case of London-based Sharon (Horgan) and the visiting American Rob (Delaney), it turns into a three-night stand that ends… well, catastrophically. But let’s rewind.
When Sharon and Rob find themselves at the same bar, desperately trying to attract the attention of the same busy bartender, they get to talking. Sharon has come to fill up on some margaritas, but all Rob wants is a coke. Someone drinking a non-alcoholic beverage in a club would come off as a bit of a shock to any citizen of a nation notorious for their pint-loving and gin-slurping habits. Fortunately, Rob is quick to explain his sobriety and his reason is understandable: anyone in their right mind would quit drinking after shitting their pants at their sister’s wedding. While this may be an entertaining anecdote, most women would have been likely to move Rob from the “potential” category straight into the “friend-zone.” But not Sharon; apparently, she feels rather drawn to this big, honest Yank and his sensitive bowels. Moments later they’re at it, hot and heavily when, for a split second, Sharon has a bit of a revelation:
“I’ve never had casual sex with a sober person before.”
Alas, her yearning genitals and Rob’s hairless back don’t give her the chance to over-think the situation—she and Rob just go for it (rogue pizza slices and all). But we all know that the new-found confidence that increases with every glass of a Margarita decreases with every pulse that sends a pounding to your head the following morning. Sharon is no exception. When Rob wakes up to her attempted sneak-of-shame, she doesn’t get too awkward about it, just cracks a joke and is ready to move on. She’d obviously not given the idea of seeing Rob again much thought, so when he asks her out for dinner that same night she’s pleasantly surprised, if not confused.
It’s a nice little moment Sharon ruins by telling Rob to open the window because his room stinks. There were a few chuckles leading up to this scene, but this moment in particular made me feel as though I was starting to really get to know the characters. As difficult as it may be given Sharon’s blunt and seemingly confident demeanor, it starts to feel like we can see through her shit: She’s using ye ol’ bitch-tactic to distract from her actual insecurities. Rob’s character doesn’t seem to have that added layer—he really is that honest, goofy and gentle guy we assumed him to be at the start of the episode.