As the opening episode of After The Party begins, Penny (Robyn Malcolm) rides her bike to the Central Boy’s College. She learns from another teacher that there is something bad on a student’s phone. Penny is ordered to follow protocol and issue a warning that further behavior will lead to a suspension. She reminds Ru (Allan Henry) that she knows the rules since she helped write them. Penny watches the pornographic video as students file into her classroom. She freezes the video before asking her students what it is. Penny explains the video was found on a student’s phone. She goes on to talk about their hormones and how their penises are getting longer. In their everyday lives, they’re not exposed to this type of sexual behavior.

Penny talks about how they’ll look at the porn and how it’ll impact them. The more they watch the more difficult it’ll become for them to feel that happy feeling. Penny thinks they’ll watch more porn and more hardcore stuff. When they finally have a partner, it won’t live up to their expectations. Penny pleads with them not to let porn ruin sex for them. Grace (Tara Canton) drives and listens to music with her kid. They go to the airport to pick up the granddad, Phil (Peter Mullan). After class, Penny asks to speak to Jules (James Catherwood) in private. She informs him that she deleted the video and warns him not to access such content again. In the gym, Penny talks to two other adults, Bridget and Simon, about the pornographic content. She is not happy when she sees Phil enter the gym.

Penny rushes to the bathroom to call Grace to tell her she just saw her father at the basketball court. She questions whether Grace knew he was coming back in a voicemail message. Phil approaches Jenny to say he got a new teaching post. When she asks what he wants, Phil explains he just wanted to say hello before reminding her they’re grandparents now. As others come over to greet Phil, Bridget tells Penny she isn’t leaving her alone to deal with them. Once Penny arrives later, she finds the kids shooting off firecrackers. Inside, Bridget checks on Penny. Jules interrupts to ask his mom, Bridget, for more pizza. Penny thanks Simon (Dean O’Gorman) for getting Phil away from her earlier before she asks to change the subject.

They drink and talk about reproductive systems until Sarah (Loren Taylor) comes over to say she doesn’t want to hear what goes on behind closed doors. Penny thought she’d like talking about this stuff as a modern woman. Sarah claims every second woman is suddenly a victim. She thinks a lot of women make false accusations that destroy the lives of innocent men. Penny asks how she knows they’re innocent. Sarah says being a woman doesn’t mean you’re automatically telling the truth. She goes on to claim they sometimes have ulterior motives. Penny calls her a misogynist before stepping away. Once Penny goes home, she begins drinking and remembering one of Phil’s birthday parties. Penny argues with Grace about covering up her breasts. Phil tells Penny not to sulk.

In the present, Penny messages Grace to ask her to call. The next day, Penny models nude for a group of artists. Then, she has a meeting with others about the letter they wrote after someone got caught fishing in the reserve. Penny argues that they should protest because their boat is sitting out there when it should’ve been confiscated. Penny tells Grace should might’ve reacted better if she knew Phil was coming back. Grace doesn’t think it has anything to do with her and she can come back if she wants to. They talk about Grace and Walt (Ziggy O’Reilly) having to move out. Penny admits she hates the idea of someone else living there. She steps outside to congratulate Tom (Elz Carrad). She believes he is going to be a great dad. Then, Joy (Catherine Wilkin) is taken to her new home.

Francis says the first few days can be rough, but they will eventually settle in. Grace thinks she should be looking after Joy since she looked after her and Walt. Penny assures her Joy will be running the place in a week. At home, Penny remembers more about Phil’s party. When Joy brings in the cake, Penny tells her to wait so she can get Grace. She finds her in an upstairs bathroom with Ollie (Ian Blackburn) who has drunk too much. Grace goes downstairs to get Phil. Once Phil arrives, he begins caring for Ollie and agrees to let him stay the night. He asks for help from Kylie (Carrie Green) getting Ollie to the spare bed. In the present, Penny spills wine on her keyboard. Her laptop dies. She takes it to the school the following day to get another one. Kevin (Cohen Holloway) tells Penny she should come out with them and Kevin.

He thought she’d like to hang out with the old crew, but Penny tells him to screw off. During class, Penny tells the kids they’re going to be dissecting a rat. Kahu doesn’t want to cut the rat because it is against his principles. After class, Penny reminds Kahu that his assignment is overdue. She warns him she’ll have to report him if he doesn’t start turning up. Penny questions why her top student is behaving like such a loser. After that, she hangs out with her Walt until Grace gets back. Penny tells her that she is sorting out her mom’s stuff. Penny says they can’t afford for her to stay there because they need the rent money. Grace says her dad is going to pay it because he is going to move in with her and Walt. Penny quickly shuts that down because Phil can’t live there.

Grace doesn’t want her to guilt trip her. Penny goes kayaking that night. She rides out to the shipping boat where she destroys the nets. When she sees the men coming, she spray paints “guilty” on the side of the boat and flees. They see the kayak causing her to panic. It flips and Penny hits a rock before trying to swim to safety. Penny manages to hide from them. She goes home to shower and get the blood out of her hair. She is surprised when Phil shows up outside. Phil asks Penny to meet him halfway by coming to Walt’s birthday party. She goes inside and shuts the door without saying anything. In a flashback, Penny goes upstairs where she finds Phil in bed with Ollie in an intimate position.

 

After The Party Review

After The Party has an interesting premise that could easily remain engaging through six episodes. Penny’s ex-husband, Phil, returns to town causing her to remember an event from the past in which she believes Phil sexually assaulted one of her daughter’s teenage friends. At this point, it is hard to say whether Phil is a pervert or Penny overreacted but that alone makes for a gripping story that could get emotionally effective sooner or later.

The opening episode was good when it focused on Penny’s plight surrounding Phil, but the episode didn’t focus on that a great deal. Six minutes felt like a sex education class with Penny grilling her students about the dangers of pornography. That was probably inappropriate in itself. The added side stories made the series feel like it is agenda overloaded.

The performances are good with Robyn Malcolm leading the way. Peter Mullan and Tara Canton may have more time to shine in future episodes. The opening episode was good although it was a bit all over the place with some unrealistic scenarios. If the series focuses on Phil and his allegations more in future episodes, After The Party could become an unforgettable experience. If it takes too many detours, it may end up missing its mark.

The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of After The Party will be available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent work at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here. Discuss After The Party and other recent shows at the Reel Mockery Forum.