'The Durrells in Corfu': Season 3 Episode 6 Recap
On our last visit with the Durrells you may recall a mysterious Italian family moved in next door, Louisa and Spiro had their first argument and Larry became a fireman for a hot second. Gerry found a new pal with whom to share the great outdoors and an insecure Margo aspired to emulate her poised and beautiful new neighbor. All the pertinent details of the episode can be found here.
This week on The Durrells in Corfu, we find the island has been descended upon by a plague-like swarm of mosquitos. The Durrells, suited up in full-on beekeeping gear, are undeterred in their preparations for Gerry’s birthday celebration. Though Louisa finally concedes they’ll have to move the party indoors, she is bound and determined to make this day a memorable one for her little boy, even as Lugaretiza warns that Gerry has changed. More to the point, he’s growing up without his mother noticing. Larry says in other cultures Gerry would be put through terrifying rituals at his age from teeth filing to adolescent circumcision. Meanwhile, Louisa is planning activities suitable for a five-year-old rather than a newly minted teenager.
The Guests
Many of the Durrells’ friends, acquaintances, and lovers past and present have been invited to the birthday blowout, including Gerry’s best friend and mentor, Theo, and Galini, his new nature-loving pal (not girlfriend according to Louisa). Margo taunts her current beau Zoltan by flirting with her former crush and holy man Pavlos (Nikos Orestis Chaniotakis). Others on the guest list include Leslie’s “good friend” Daphne whom (through no fault of their own) he’s having a baby with and Corfu residents from seasons past Sven (Ulric von der Esch), his partner Viggo (Martin Laer) and Gerry’s former tutor Mr. Kralefsky (Vernon Dobtcheff).
Florence Petrides drags along her teenage niece Nelly (Grace Hogg-Robinson) who has come from England to help with the baby. But poor Dr. Petrides ends up running an impromptu clinic for the multitude of guests who approach him with their ailments at the party. All he wanted was the opportunity to dance!
Fun and Games
Louisa’s party game agenda, though juvenile, wasn't a complete failure.
Apple bobbing contest – Mr. Kralefsky and Florence Petrides are the only takers for this game. Larry says it must be the highest average age for apple bobbers ever. Florence wins the matchup while the elderly tutor says he’d like to try again, but with bananas.
Pin the tail on the donkey – Blindfolded players Sven and Daphne inch around the sitting room in search of a live donkey. Daphne emerges victorious on this one.
Pass the parcel – see Gerry’s teenage outburst below
Meanwhile, Leslie has rigged up a special zip-line of sorts for Gerry that he likes to call the birthday ride of death. Since no one takes him up on his offer to fly through the air like a bird, Leslie decides to demonstrate it himself. Margo helps him out with an unexpected push through the window and he crumples in a heap on the ground after hitting the safety mattress.
