The episode opens with Evie (Eleanor Tomlinson) encountering Danny (Sam Heughan) while taking out the trash. She rushes into his arms. As they prepare to kiss, she wakes up in bed with Pete (Alfred Enoch) sleeping beside her. After a quick kiss, she leaves to make tea.

Sergeant Paula McGinn (Stephanie Street) informs Gary (Joel Morris) and Danny that one of their colleagues reportedly saw them riding their bikes off-duty in Holbeck. Danny claims they were returning after completing a job. She points out that they were traveling in the opposite direction of the police station. Gary says they were going to a social event at the police station in South Leeds. She tells them that the colleague who reported them assumed they were in a convoy. Paula threatens them with disciplinary actions if it happens again. After leaving the office, Gary boasts of getting away with it. Grabbing him by the shirt, Danny warns that they could have been caught. Suggesting Danny is out, Gary says there is a lot of money in it.

At school, Molly (Ellie Lucia Mcardle) admits to being sad about the loss of Evie’s baby. She suggests trying again. Elsewhere, Alan (Hugh Dennis) watches Becka (Jessica De Gouw) leave for a run. He retrieves keys hidden inside a flower pot.

Rachel (Katie Clarkson-Hill) and Evie the celestials when Becka and a group of female runners approach. After embracing them, Becka compliments Evie for being a great neighbor. Along again, Rachel says Becka does not look like Evie’s type. Evie accuses her of being judgmental like them. Rachel apologizes.

Danny arrives at an apartment to pay Lena (Deidre Mullins). When he complains about giving her the money outside, she warns that Becka would find out if he utilized direct debit. She admits to needing more from him before refusing him entrance.

Rachel informs Evie of her pregnancy. Evie claims to be thrilled with the news. Elsewhere, Pete shows Sophie (Ioanna Kimbook) Colossus Building Supplies registered to Eddie Smallwood, not a real person. She questions why Robbie Spencer has a fictional co-director.

Alan returns the keys to the flower pot as Evie pulls into her driveway. Gloria (Janine Dubitski) and Mr. Snuffles greet him in passing. Evie throws white pills into the koi pond. She receives an invitation to the seaside from Danny and Becka. She admits to feeling like she drives into the darkness and cannot stop. He says when he feels like that, he tries to forget it and hope it goes away. Later, Evie informs Pete of Rachel’s pregnancy. He asks if she is all right with it. She says they would be happy for them.

Alan spies on Becka, Evie, Pete, and Danny as they prepare to leave for the coast. Upon arriving at their destination, Evie tells Becka that her parents used to take her there. Back in the neighborhood, Alan utilizes a key to get into a home. Back at the coast, Evie claims her father never enjoyed their vacations but she and her brother were always being naughty. She explains how she and Pete met while she was at Uni. Back in the neighborhood, Alan watches a video of Becka making out with a man and woman. He stores the video on his phone. Back at the coast, Evie denies having sex with anyone other than Pete. Becka claims to have been in a non-monogamous relationship when she met Danny. Becka and Danny have a non-monogamous relationship. Back at the neighborhood, Alan uploads Becka’s sex tape to his computer. He reads her social media correspondence with other women about a creepy guy being present during last week’s meeting. Jean (Kate Robbins) talks to a woman on the phone about a stairlift.

Back at the coast, Danny receives a text from Lena demanding the rest of her money. He places the text in the trash. Evie joins Becka and Danny in a dance. When Becka walks away, Danny and Evie share a sensual dance until he pulls away. Everyone is quiet on the way home. Danny receives a text from Gary asking about his bag. Danny promises to drop it off later before announcing that he is back in. At home, Evie asks Pete if he ever thought about her with another woman. He denies it ever crossed his mind. She suggests considering it. He questions if he is enough for her. She says of course before they get intimate.

Becka tells Danny that Evie turns her on. He warns against getting intimately involved with friends. She suggests he lived for danger. He urges her to stick to the rules. The following day, Danny demands Alan never turn up at another one of Becka’s yoga classes. He accuses him of “perving” over her. Alan denies the accusation, claiming he is happily married. When Alan says it is a free country, Danny gets physical with him.

Outside Colossus Building Supplies – Sophie suggests Robbie Spencer is running a money scheme under a fake name. Pete asks if she is familiar with anyone in an open relationship. She claims three of her friends are in polyamorous (throuple) relationships. She identifies as bixexual. Gary and Danny pull up on their motorcycles. Danny hides his identity with a helmet. Spencer hands Gary an envelope and two motorcycles with fake license plates. Danny escorts a white van with an “Import Export” lettering on the side. Gary pulls in behind the van.

Alan creates a fake website for Becka. He adds the title, “Yoga instructor, Leeds, looking for no-strings fun with men and women. Husband can join or I can do it alone. I’ll do anything.”

Gary pulls up beside Danny in front of the white fan. Danny orders him to return to his position when an oncoming vehicle approaches head-on. Someone in the vehicle shoots Danny’s tire, sending him and the motorcycle across the pavement. Gary crashes into the van. Four masked individuals emerge from the vehicle and open fire on the van. The driver flees into the woods. Danny is knocked to the ground as the shooting continues. Gary is being held at gunpoint. They remove a silver case from the van before fleeing the scene.

Evie searches “couple swapping’ on Whysta. Pete arrives home to find all the koi dead. A closer look, he sees a residue floating in the water. Evie smiles as the episode ends.

 

The Couple Next Door Review

Learning about Rachel’s pregnancy, Evie pretends to be happy for her. She poisons the koi. She becomes interested in partner-swapping after learning about Danny and Becka’s non-monogamous marriage.

Danny owes Lena money. After a colleague reports him and Gary to Sergeant McGinn, quits working with Robbie Spencer but only temporarily. He and Gary provide police escort for Spencer’s criminal scheme. They are robbed by four armed, masked men.

Alan’s obsession with Becka grows. He utilizes a spare key to access her home, where he finds a sex video of her and other women. He copies the video and uploads it to his computer. He utilizes the images to create a fake profile of her trying to meet up with women and men. Danny demands he stay away from Beck’s yoga classes.

Too many clichés, subplots, and side characters distracting from the main plot. Some of the subplots serve no purpose and are boring. Most of the characters are underdeveloped as their backstories are vague. It would have been interesting to learn more about Evie’s childhood.

There is truly nothing unique about the plot. The dialogue is packed full of clichés.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more of The Couple Next Door recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising can help build online awareness for new and existing brands click here to reach our customer support. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest movie and TV show releases.