The episode begins with Jamie Buckingham (James Corden) and Amandine Buckingham (Melia Kreiling) attending a counseling session. Siobhan (Naoko Mori) asks Amandine and Jamie to use three words to describe their grief. Initially, Jamie says grief is anger, confusion, and astonishment. Amandine says her grief cannot be described in words.

Jamie tells Jeff Wilson (Colin Morgan) that Paul/Dave Burrow (Bhavik C. Pankhania) wrote the text, “I want to cum on your face,” with such urgency. Jeff asks what is a stupid name like David. After informing him of Dave being employed by an events company as the Head of Accounts, Jamie says he and Amandine met at Caramelo’s All-Star Salsa Fridays. Jeff says Lue (Sally Hawkins) mentioned Amandine started doing salsa. Jamie says Dave agreed to break off his affair with Amandine and relocate if he didn’t tell Wendy. Jeff asks who is this “clown” Paul. Jamie assures him that he has no idea but won’t confront Amandine until he has sufficient evidence.

Jamie pleads with him to hack Amandine’s phone so Paul can be located. Jeff says he can’t do it. Jamie desperately reminds him of his wife’s affair with Dave and Paul as Greta (Isla Gie) approaches. When he informs her of Jeff staying in the spare room for a while, she asks if he means the nursery.

Mr. Lewis (Karl Johnson) asks Lue if she saw the dead deer in the woods. She assures him that she never saw it.

Jamie says his grief counselor has pamphlets for the seven stages of grief but nothing for dealing with a baby that may not be yours. Jeff says, “LORCA69.” Jamie reminds him that Amandine’s password is in all caps.

Greta admits to being excited about becoming a big sister. Jamie assures her that they’re still a family.

Jeff signs into Amandine’s phone when she informs Jamie that it’s missing.

Amandine abruptly leaves work while Jamie discusses the upcoming opening of his new solo restaurant. The interviewer (Jane Jeffery) asks why he chose Amandine. He says it’s named after his wife as she walks through the door.

Amandine warns him that she’ll go crazy if she doesn’t find her passion and get her magic back. When he suggests forgetting her “bullsh** job, she says thank you while giving him a hug.

Jamie enters the flat to find Dan (Samuel Anderson) giving Amandine violin lessons. After identifying the violin as a  “Ludovico Rastelli, Circa 1870 from Genoa, Dan suggests getting it valued. She stares at him in amazement as he plays a tune.

Mrs. Geddis (Ninette Finch) breaks down in tears when returning an item to Corner Copia. Jane (Nina Toussaint-White) asks Lue what was gave Jeff for his birthday. After cursing, Lue removes “An Anatomy of Mammals” from the shelf. She tosses a coin in the change drawer before realizing the book doesn’t coordinate with the cover.

Jeff leaves Lue a voicemail.

Lue reads “Coco Chanel A Life.”

Jamie watches Dan help himself to a glass of water. Dan tells him that “Ammy” is doing really well. Jamie points out that he called Amandine “Ammy.” Dan assures him that he didn’t. Jamie jumps up from his seat before raising his fist. Dan accuses him of threatening him. Jamie claims he was aiming for the refrigerator because it symbolizes food. Dan says Ammy told him that he was getting a Michelin award. Jamie tells him that it’s a Michelin Star, not an award.

Jeff watches a video of Amandine’s birthday celebration. Amandine informs Jamie that she and Dan had her violin appraised for between 60,000 and 70,000. Jeff sends a text to alert him of something he found on her phone. She asks if he would like to accompany her to Queen Elizabeth Hall where Dan will be performing. He says sure.

Jeff warns Jamie that he may not like what he sees in the video. Jamie demands he play it. In the video, Amandine, in a black negligee, is with a  man wearing nothing but black underwear and a motorcycle helmet. She can be heard in the background. Jamie questions if the man is Paul. After identifying the man as Jason Burke (Leo Turner), Jeff says they met in Edinburgh at a marketing conference. Jamie demands he dial Jason up.

Standing in front of a tombstone, Jeff says Jason died while taking a selfie with Stonehenge from the A305. Jamie admits to hoping Jason was decapitated before attacking his tombstone. Jeff watches as he hits the ground. Jamie orders him to rip the phone apart because he needs to know everything.

At Queen Elizabeth Hall, Jamie and Amandine watch Dan’s performance. They meet outside the facility when Dan invites them for a drink. Jamie tells him that Greta is with the babysitter. Amandine suggests he go home while she and Dan go for a drink. Jamie watches as they walk away.

Jeff returns home to find Lue out.

Lue, wearing a gown, goes for a swim in what appears to be a pond.

After staring at a clock, Jamie smashes Amandine’s violin.

 

Mammals Synopsis

Amandine and Jamie sought professional help to deal with their grief following the loss of their unborn baby.

Jamie confided in Jeff about Amandine’s affairs with Paul and Dave. He and Dave came to the agreement, the affair would end, Dave would move away, and Paul’s girlfriend, Wendy would be kept in the dark.

Jeff moved in temporarily with Jamie while Lue stayed at home. For unknown reasons, she denied finding the dead stag in the woods.

Under pressure to help his brother-in-law, Jeff agreed to hack Amandine’s phone.

Amandine and Jamie’s daughter, Greta, looked to Jamie for help dealing with her own grief. She was concerned about them no longer being a family. Jamie gave her reassurance while not completely sure, himself.

While Jamie prepared to open his first restaurant, named Amandine, she decided to leave her job in search of her passion and magic. She hooked up with a violinist, Dan, to master the art of playing the violin. The family violin was appraised at 60 or 70,000.

Lue forgot Jeff’s birthday. She happened upon “Coco Chanel A Life” while picking out a book for Jeff.

Jamie nearly lost his temper with Dan for calling Amandine “Ammy.”

Jeff showed Jamie an intimate video of Amandine and Jason who died while taking a selfie. Jamie took his frustration out on Jason’s tombstone.

Dan and Amandine ditched Jamie at a music venue. Jamie smashed her violin into smithereens after tiring of watching the clock.

 

Mammals Review

The show’s level of realism is still in question as one must wonder if it would be possible to avoid the inevitable for so long. On the other hand, Jamie is showing signs of a mental breakdown.

It’s difficult to watch Jamie gradually implode, especially if you’ve ever been in a similar situation.

The show deserves a 6.5. Get more Mammals recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.