Mark Corrigan

Mark Corrigan
Vital statistics
Names	Mark Hugh Corrigan Mez Marco Professor Yaffle The Abdominiser Captain Haddock Captain Corrigan The Iron Duke
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Occupation	Manager for JLB Credit (formerly) Waiter for Banditos (formerly) Salesman for Baths, Bathrooms & Fittings (formerly) Loan manager for Met City Bank (formerly)
Origin	Peep Show Series 1 Episode 1: Warring Factions (September 19, 2003)
Alignment	Anti-Villain
Age	30 years (Series 1) 42 years (Series 9)
Created By	David Mitchell, Robert Webb
Height	178cm (5 ft, 10in)
Weight	84 kg (185 lbs)

Mark Hugh Corrigan is a resident and established curmudgeon of Croydon, a borough in South London. He is one of the two main protagonists, alongside Jeremy Usbourne, in the English sitcom Peep Show, portrayed by David Mitchell.

Mark works as a loan manager at JLB Credit. Although he is responsible and intelligent, he is socially and sexually awkward. He owns a flat on the outskirts of Croydon, South London, which he shares with his university best friend, Jeremy.

Personality

Mark and Jeremy refer to themselves as "The El Dude Brothers," a nickname from their university days. Mark is generally sensible and careful but occasionally exhibits paranoia and impulsive behavior. His upbringing seems to have been somewhat unhappy, marked by a domineering father and parental infidelity. He attended Polefield School in Croydon, graduating in 1991, and holds a Business Studies degree from University of Dartmouth, where he met Jeremy. He earned 7 GCSEs and has a strong interest in history, particularly ancient history, which he initially wanted to study at university before his parents persuaded him to pursue Business Studies instead.

Mark is aware of Jeremy's lower intellectual capacity but still relies on him for social guidance, as he struggles with extreme social awkwardness. He often feels paranoid about how others view him and questions the normalcy of his own actions. Mark is notably Euro-skeptic and often has difficulty understanding modern societal norms, participating in activities that others seem to enjoy without fully engaging.

His relationship with Sophie is a central theme in the first four series. After their failed wedding and breakup, he dates various women in Series 5, searching for "the one."

After leaving JLB, Mark works as a waiter at the Mexican restaurant Banditos, a bathroom equipment salesman at Bath, Bathrooms, and Fittings, and eventually returns to working as a loan manager at Met City Bank, where he is ultimately fired in the series finale.

Biography

Background

According to the class reunion invite in "Handyman," Mark was born in 1973. He attended Exbourne School in Shropshire until his father's British Aerospace shares crashed, forcing him to transfer to the state-run Fitzalan Comprehensive School. This abrupt shift from public to state school is believed to have left him somewhat socially damaged. He later attended the University of Dartmouth, where, despite his desire to study ancient history, his family compelled him to pursue business studies. His middle name, Hugh, is subtly revealed in the last episode of series four, "Wedding," spoken nearly inaudibly by the priest beneath a voiceover.

Family

Mark has a sister, Sarah, a solicitor who shares many of his social shortcomings. He often thinks fearfully of his parents, particularly his controlling and bullying father. Mark has at least once deceased grandparent ("grandad," mentioned in Dance Class) and an uncle Lance (mentioned in Seasonal Beatings) but it is not clear if they are Corrigans or from his mother's side.

Friends

Mark lives with his best friend Jeremy, and together they call themselves the "El Dude Brothers," a name dating back to their university days. This nickname is now typically invoked when one of them seeks the other's support, often against better judgment.

In the second series, Mark briefly befriends a colleague named Daryl, who turns out to be a racist. Mark claims Daryl is the first friend he made since Nick Bickford in 1996. Around this time, he and Jeremy were also friends with Pej.

Mark's boss at JLB Credit is Alan Johnson, a charismatic yet domineering figure who seems to view Mark as a protégé. Sophie Chapman, whom Mark met at JLB Credit, transitions from being the object of his neurotic affections to his brief, reluctant wife. After a long falling out, they become friends and co-parents to their son, Ian. Mark also befriends Dobby and Gerrard, forming a love triangle. He has a relationship with Dobby, but they split when she gets a job in New York.

Mark is very much a social reject; he is paranoid about nearly everything, overthinks situations (usually to the worst conclusion), and endlessly worries about wanting to seem normal—a goal he never quite achieves. His constant anxiety about this suggests he has accepted that he is not normal. Throughout the first two series, he obsesses over Sophie, and in the third and fourth series, he worries about their deteriorating relationship. Much of the fifth series is spent fretting over the stigma of being a 'jilter.'

Sexuality

In Series 1, Episode 4, Mark ponders whether he has developed a homosexual crush on Alan Johnson, then only a visiting speaker at JLB. To explore this side of his personality, Mark rents gay pornography but ultimately concludes that he is "possibly bi, but basically un-curious." Alan eventually becomes Mark's boss, and Mark remains paranoid about his potential feelings for him.

Mark is highly sexually frustrated and somewhat repressed. He is disgusted by Jeremy's licentious views (if not always practices) on casual sex and kinky behavior. Initially, his sexual anxiety was partly due to a testicular hydrocele, which made him paranoid. Although the swelling was reduced by surgery, his fear that women will be unimpressed with his genitals persists.

Beliefs

Mark's political stance is somewhat unclear. He is a socially conservative individual who critiques political correctness and feels uneasy about drug culture and open discussions about sexuality. He supports the idea of "consumer capitalism." In the second series, he suggests a fondness for Tony Blair, but by the fourth series, he is doubtful about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. By the fifth series, he comments that "nobody wanted New Labour" and shows admiration for Liberal Democrat Paddy Ashdown.

Despite often criticizing religious believers, he has been observed praying during moments of extreme distress.

A recurring joke is Mark's habit of thinking that each woman he dates is "the one," only to later find out he has no true feelings for her. This is particularly noticeable in Series 5, where he describes almost every love interest (most of whom appear for only one episode) as "the one." Mark also tends to believe that minor details and objects will either ruin or enhance his life. Another running joke is his tendency to use relationships with women as a means to get back at others or to convince himself that he can maintain a relationship. It is not clear who is older between him and Jeremy, as no details about their ages or birthdates are provided

Relationships

Mark's infatuation and relationship with Sophie is a central focus of the first four series. After their disastrous wedding and subsequent divorce, he dates several other women during Series 5, each time wondering if she might be "the one." Following a one-night stand with Sophie after their breakup, she becomes pregnant and later gives birth to Mark's son, Ian James.

Mark's next significant relationship is with Dobby, whom he meets at JLB. Similar to his experience with Sophie, Mark gradually grows closer to Dobby and eventually starts a relationship with her. However, Dobby eventually leaves him for a job in New York. She returns in Series 9 with a new boyfriend and a more positive outlook, but Mark finds himself uninterested in her new persona.

In Series 9, Mark tries to rekindle a connection with April, whom he briefly knew years earlier, and nearly succeeds in starting an affair with her. However, he ultimately fails in the series finale when she discovers that he allowed Jeremy and Super Hans to hold her husband captive in their flat.

Interests

Mark's primary passion is history, particularly ancient history and World War II. He has a fascination with Nazism, participating in Nazi soldier reenactments, watching films like Das Boot, and playing WWII-themed computer games. It is implied that his grandfather died during World War II. He has also read the book Stalingrad.

As an avid amateur historian, Mark has always regretted not studying ancient history at university, having pursued business studies instead. He enjoys playing chess and has an interest in pop-philosophy, claiming he gets his "brain training from Sudoku and Alain de Botton's weekly podcast."

Mark authored the book Business Secrets of the Pharaohs, which was published by the vanity press British London, who misspelled his name as "Mark Crorigan" on the cover. While Mark threatens to sue for damages, he also expresses a desire to write his next book on "Napoleon and the internet."

Mark and Jeremy share an interest in many mainstream TV shows and films. Mark enjoys The Apprentice and Grand Designs, though he often pretends to be interested in more highbrow subjects, like the Victorian Arts and Crafts movement.

Series 1:

Warring Factions

Mark boards the bus hoping to see his work crush, Sophie, who accidentally sits on his hand. Too embarrassed to move his hand, Mark makes Sophie uncomfortable.

On his way home, Mark encounters some kids who taunt him with the nickname "clean shirt" and provoke him, eventually calling him a "paedo."

While Jeremy is out with his bandmate, Super Hans, Mark invites Toni back to his apartment to listen to Jeremy's music and offers her Alpen, her favorite cereal. Toni reveals that her sister has cancer, and Mark awkwardly tries to offer comfort. They end up laughing at Jeremy's song. When Jeremy returns home, he is furious and expresses his anger by writing "Judas" with raw meat on Mark's bed.

Later, they attend a party at Toni's flat with her neighbors. Toni suggests playing party games, but Mark and Jeremy are more interested in finding ways to have sex with her. When Jeremy meets Toni's sister, Paula, who works in the music business, he hopes sleeping with her could advance his career. Mark, realizing Paula is Toni's sister, warns Jeremy about Paula's cancer. Jeremy, however, makes a crude offer of sex in exchange for career benefits and makes an insensitive remark about her illness. It turns out that Paula is Toni's half-sister, and the sister with cancer is not at the party. Jeremy feels tricked by Mark and becomes angry, believing it was all a joke.

Mark and Jeremy are kicked out of the party after embarrassing themselves and Paula, returning home defeated. The next day, Mark confronts the obnoxious kids by chasing them down the street, an action Sophie witnesses from the bus.

The Interview

Mark becomes increasingly frustrated with Jeremy's lack of interest in finding a job. Jeremy complains that "there just aren't that many jobs in the media these days" and is infuriated when Mark suggests considering jobs outside of the media field. Mark decides to arrange an interview for Jeremy at his credit management company, JLB.

Mark finds a cute cartoon from his work crush, Sophie, and decides to draw a cartoon in response. Annoyed with his drawing of a clown-like man, which he deems "very gay," Mark attempts to create something more "edgy." He ends up drawing a cartoon of one stick figure giving another stick figure a large heart with a swastika on the inside, thinking, "Love is for Nazis."

He becomes anxious, worried that Sophie might think he's a Nazi, but it turns out Sophie interpreted the drawing as representing their boss, Barbara, giving Sophie a bonus, due to Barbara's known racism. Mark obtains Sophie's phone number and looks forward to calling her.

Jeremy is reluctant to take the job at JLB because he dislikes the cubicle lifestyle and has been offered a pyramid-selling job by Toni. He deliberately sabotages the interview by claiming he is seeking a "relaxing" job and pretending to have a facial spasm. When Mark scolds him, Jeremy retorts, "At least I don't fancy elves and pixies."

Later, Mark finally calls Sophie but ends up singing the lyrics, "Then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like, 'I like you'." He is embarrassed by the voicemail, but Jeremy tries to console him. The next day at work, Mark tells Sophie that he likes her and that she should either accept it or "f--- off." Sophie laughs and assures him she can handle his feelings. Mark is pleased until he encounters his rival Jeff in the elevator, who sings the same song Mark used in his voicemail, suggesting Sophie might have shared the message with Jeff.

On the Pull

On his Friday night grocery run, Mark tells Jeremy that he asked Sophie out on a date, but she turned him down. Jeremy encourages Mark to join him at a party to meet someone new.

When Mark arrives at the party (with his groceries), he meets Valerie, a teenage goth with a feisty attitude. Initially uncomfortable with her age, Mark becomes more at ease with her as he drinks. Mark, Valerie, and Jeremy head to a bowling alley, where they invite Toni to join them.

At the bowling alley, they share strange sex experiences, with Toni saying, "I once had a steward eat me at the airport. Wow, that was depressing." Valerie jokingly mentions that she believes true love waits, and Mark pretends to agree. When Mark realizes Valerie is joking, he admits he was joking too, making her laugh.

In the bathroom, they all get high (implied to be Mark's first experience with smoking pot). Mark goes into a frenzy upon seeing Sophie on a date with Jeff at the bowling alley. He starts throwing his groceries like bowling balls, and Jeff agrees to cover the damage, further humiliating Mark. Meanwhile, Jeremy and Toni begin making out. Both couples eventually head home.

Mark becomes unsettled when Valerie starts choking him, claiming her ex liked it. The episode concludes with Mark trying to connect emotionally with Valerie, but loud noises next door disrupt the moment. He ends up grabbing a box of tissues and sleeping on the couch.

Mark Makes a Friend

Mark encounters the handsome and arrogant Johnson and later runs into him at a business conference. Mark is left walking alone from the hotel because Sophie gives his seat in her vehicle to Dave, who is helping Debbie, who is in a wheelchair. Mark is dismayed to see Jeff also in Sophie's car, highlighting his status as a rival for Sophie's affection.

Seeing Mark walking alone, Johnson offers him a ride, and they strike up a friendship, though it may be one-sided. Johnson starts to negatively influence Mark's views on women, criticizing Sophie by saying she isn’t as attractive as "a supermodel, like Giselle," and that she has a "fat arse." Mark begins to emulate Johnson, including growing a mustache. When he sees Sophie at JLB, he behaves rudely when she apologizes about the car ride and then tries to kiss her, only to get hit in the head with a cabinet door.

Johnson visits Mark at his apartment to discuss business, during which Jeremy embarrasses Mark by revealing their immature and uneducated behavior, such as "picking teams" on issues like Israel and Palestine for fun. Jeremy also recalls creating a "mega tsunami" of bath water onto Mark's computer and spills wine on it to make Mark think the wine caused the malfunction.

Mark decides to accept Johnson’s offer to relocate to Cardiff for business and informs Jeremy during a sushi lunch. Jeremy reacts by snapping and breaking his chopsticks in half, pretending to be happy but appearing extremely manic. Mark starts to question if he might have romantic feelings for Johnson or if he might be gay. He rents some movies to explore this, but finds himself turned off and freaked out.

Johnson leaves his BMW 5 Series parked near Mark’s flat and gives Mark the keys. Although Mark doesn’t know how to drive, Jeremy persuades him to drive Johnson’s car to the JLB office to pick up his repaired laptop. Mark drives cautiously but tries to show off when he spots Sophie and Jeff. He accidentally shifts the BMW into reverse, scraping the side against a dustbin.

Jeremy reassures Mark that it's okay and will take the blame for the car damage to make Mark appreciate him and their friendship. When Johnson arrives and dismisses the car damage since it’s insured, Jeremy tells him that Mark crashed the car and, additionally, that Mark is in love with him. Johnson is visibly disturbed by this revelation.

Dream Job

Mark applies for a promotion at JLB but is enraged when Sophie is chosen instead of him. Although he wants to remain friends with her and still has feelings for her, he suddenly feels a strong animosity towards her.

In a fit of frustration, Mark breaks into the office at night and urinates on Barbara's papers. Later, he regrets his actions and tries to dry the papers off in the bathroom, only for Sophie to catch him in the act. When she confronts him, he simply replies, "It's not piss."

Mark is forced to take time off work and attend "careers guidance," which is essentially therapy. He is resistant to the idea and tries to trick the therapist by giving opposite answers to everything he would normally say.

Mark and Jeremy plot to get revenge on each other's enemies—Super Hans and Sophie—even though Mark still has feelings for Sophie. Jeremy pretends to be a pervert watching Sophie from outside her window, saying, "I can see you. You're eating spaghetti—linguini, whatever." Sophie responds by shooting him with a BB gun, leading Jeremy and Mark to jump over the gate and accidently kill a dog. They then go to Super Hans' apartment, where Jeremy has Mark pose as a pizza delivery man, intending for him to deliver an empty box and then pepper spray Super Hans. Mark chickens out and simply asks Super Hans to pretend he’s been sprayed. When Jeremy discovers Toni at Super Hans' apartment, he confronts her angrily. Mark ends up pepper spraying Jeremy, claiming it's for his own good.

Later, Sophie visits Mark at home to apologize and explain that Barbara pressured her into taking the job. Mark initially shows sympathy but eventually makes a rude comment, causing Sophie to leave. As Mark chases after her, Jeremy pepper sprays him, saying, "It's for your own good."

Funeral

Jeremy learns that his Uncle Ray is dying and feels uneasy about visiting him in the hospital. Mark, however, manages to charm Ray and make him feel comfortable, which makes Jeremy feel jealous. After Ray's death, Mark invites Sophie to accompany him to the funeral, and she agrees.

At the funeral, Jeremy gives a speech criticizing his aunt Liz for not making it a Christian service despite Ray being Christian. His speech receives cheers from Ray’s friends, who toast to him at the wake. Sophie and Mark share a kiss at the wake after reflecting on the fragility of life.

Sophie invites Mark to spend the weekend away with her. Meanwhile, Jeremy discovers that the disease Ray died from is genetic and he might have it. As he awaits his test results, he becomes depressed and explores various religions to find solace. Mark, feeling it would be wrong to leave Jeremy alone during this time, reluctantly invites him to join him and Sophie. Jeremy agrees, thinking Mark's invitation is due to fear of being alone with Sophie.

Mark is also worried about the size of his testicles and makes an appointment with Dr. Runciman, only to find out that the procedure will be performed by the practice nurse instead, which makes him uncomfortable.

At the vacation house, Mark speaks negatively about Jeremy to Sophie. Jeremy overhears and becomes enraged, storming off into the living room. As Mark and Sophie attempt to be intimate, Mark goes to the living room to get condoms and discovers Jeremy passed out surrounded by sleeping pills and alcohol. Alarmed, he calls for paramedics, who take Jeremy away in an ambulance and attempt to pump his stomach.

The next day at work, Sophie tells Mark that their relationship is moving too quickly and that they need to slow down. Mark responds by handing her a pair of underwear she left at the house.

Series 2

Dance Class

Sophie and Mark attend an office party celebrating Johnson's promotion to their new boss. Mark attempts to hack into Sophie’s email by asking her personal questions, hoping one of her answers will reveal her password. When he finally discovers it (an abbreviation for "Sex and the City" that Sophie mistakenly thinks is "Sex in the City"), he reads an email where Sophie discusses Mark and Jeff, noting that Mark is too serious and uptight. To prove he can be fun, Mark agrees to join Sophie at her dance class.

Expecting a salsa class, Mark is dismayed to find that it is actually "Rainbow Rhythms," a new-age dance class that embodies everything he dislikes. During the class, Mark pushes aside a man trying to dance with him when he sees another man dancing with Sophie. Later, in a group discussion, the man Mark rejected and another participant named Gwyn subtly criticize Mark’s fit for the class. Mark confronts them, arguing that if it’s truly a "hippie free-for-all," they should embrace people who stand for everything they hate, such as "eating red meat and liking money."

Later, at a bar with Gwyn, Toni, Mark, Sophie, Nancy, and others from the dance class, Jeremy pretends that he and Nancy are a serious couple. However, it becomes clear that Nancy is interested in Gwyn, revealing that she and Jeremy have an open relationship.

Sophie, Mark, Jeremy, and Nancy later visit Gwyn’s summer house, where Nancy encourages everyone to "break taboos." This leads to Jeremy and Mark being forced to kiss, both trying to appear easy-going but disliking the idea of kissing another man. Sophie and Mark leave and share a romantic moment by the lake.

The following day at work, Mark reads an email from Sophie where she expresses that she thinks they could "really have something." When Sophie catches him reading it, she is furious, and Mark tries to defend himself by saying, "We can’t throw this all away just because I spy on you!"

Jeremy Makes It

Mark is assigned to work on a Saturday with Daryl, a new colleague at the office. They quickly bond and engage in playful antics, such as stapling a sausage to an employee's door. However, Jeremy feels jealous as he observes their growing friendship.

Later, Mark and Daryl attend a WWII reenactment where they portray Nazis. Mark is shocked to discover that Daryl is a Neo-Nazi and holds racist views. He confides in Jeremy, who is thrilled to finally have a legitimate reason to distance Mark from Daryl.

Mark, Jeremy, and Super Hans visit Gog's house, expecting a discussion about their music. Instead, they find out that Gog is being targeted because he criticized their music, and the visit turns into an attempt to coerce him into paying them.

During a workplace meeting at Frankie and Benny's, Daryl's racism becomes apparent to other employees, causing Mark embarrassment. He tries to manage the situation by removing Daryl from the meeting and speaking to him privately, but Daryl remains oblivious to Mark's discomfort.

Realizing he needs to end the friendship with Daryl, Mark sets up a band rehearsal where he isolates Daryl in the recording room and rejects him from a distance. Daryl reacts angrily and quits both the band and his friendship with Mark.

When Daryl is later fired for his involvement in a hate crime, he shields Mark from any repercussions, quietly calling him a "good guy" and stating he holds no grudge. Mark, concerned about his own reputation, responds by angrily reprimanding Daryl as he leaves, thereby protecting his social standing at the office.

Local Zero

Mark becomes suspicious of Sophie and Jeff flirting at work, so he befriends the security guard to access footage of them making out in the supply closet. He takes the tape home to watch it.

When Mark learns that Sophie and Jeff have had a falling out, he sees an opportunity. Alan Johnson selects Sophie and Jeff for a business trip, but Mark convinces Johnson to let him go instead of Jeff. Despite this, Mark continues to spy on Jeff and Sophie, watching them mini-golf and picnic in the park.

Later, Mark is horrified to realize that a news special about alcoholism accidentally filmed him drinking in the park. The footage, which fails to show that he was also eating, makes him look like an alcoholic. At work, everyone, including Johnson, who is a recovering alcoholic, assumes Mark has a drinking problem. Johnson insists Mark joins a support group if he wants to go on the business trip.

Mark’s conservative father plans a visit, prompting Mark to ask his flatmate Nim to leave temporarily.

Celebrating their upcoming trip, Mark meets Sophie at a bar. Johnson catches Mark drinking and cancels his participation in the business trip. Desperate to ensure Jeff doesn't go in his place, Mark provokes Jeff into hitting him, hoping security footage will show the incident. However, a new security guard didn't record it. Mark then tries to provoke Jeff into hitting him again, but Jeff refuses, leaving Mark's plan to get Jeff fired in shambles.

University Challenge

Mark meets a salesgirl named April at a shoe store. Impressed by her knowledge of history and her shy demeanor, he decides to return another day to thank her for her help with his shoes. Upon his return, he discovers it's her day off and learns she is studying at the University of Dartmouth, which is also Mark and Jeremy's alma mater.

Intrigued, Mark decides to visit Dartmouth, and Jeremy tags along. Once they arrive, Mark pretends to be a mature student to spend time with April. This involves attending the office hours of an ancient history course taught by the snobbish and intelligent Professor MacLeish. The professor, impressed by Mark's knowledge, invites him to a dinner party at his house that night.

Jeremy and Mark go shopping at a corner store, where Jeremy, inspired by Super Hans earlier in the episode, shoplifts some chocolate. When they are caught by the store owner, they leave a £10 note and escape through a window.

At the dinner party, Jeremy crashes the event and outs Mark as being a loan manager, not a student, while April is in another room. Mark quickly devises a plan to escape, and they end up at April's dorm room. However, Mark is too scared to make a move, and April goes to sleep, believing she has "three more years" to see Mark again.

The Man Show

Sophie informs Mark that her boyfriend, Jeff, is moving in with her and doesn't want her to speak to Mark anymore. Determined to fix this, Mark decides to befriend Jeff. He researches typical "manly" topics but still feels uncomfortable interacting with Jeff, so he brings Jeremy along, knowing Jeremy is "more of a fun kind of guy."

Jeremy ends up charming Jeff, effectively taking Mark's place as Jeff's new friend. Mark rethinks his approach and comes up with another idea to spend time with Sophie: participating in a charity bungee jump. However, he chickens out at the last moment.

Mark then decides to tell Jeff that he's gay, hoping Jeff won't mind him seeing Sophie if he thinks he's not a threat. Jeff responds that he never had an issue with Mark seeing Sophie, whether gay or straight, because he knows Mark poses no threat. Mark realizes that it was Sophie who didn't want to see him, not Jeff.

Ignoring this, Mark goes to Sophie's house to watch a film with her, while Jeremy and Jeff go out partying. Sophie is visibly annoyed that Mark has invited himself over but agrees to hang out with him anyway. While out with Jeff, Jeremy witnesses Jeff cheating on Sophie. Later, he makes the mistake of telling Mark about it "for a laugh." Mark, of course, tells Sophie the next day at work.

That night, Sophie arrives at Mark's place, crying. Jeff realizes that Jeremy told Mark about his infidelity, and he arrives to confront Jeremy and talk to Sophie. Mark tries to ward Jeff off by sticking a broom out the mail slot. Sophie tells Mark to let Jeff in, which he reluctantly does. Jeff takes Sophie home, ending his friendship with Jeremy.

Wedding

Nancy asks Jeremy to marry her for visa reasons. Jeremy pretends they're getting married for real and has her move in. Mark doesn't particularly like Nancy, so he talks to Super Hans at the pub. Super Hans is also against the marriage because he's afraid she'll break up their band. They team up to try to break up Jeremy and Nancy, with Super Hans agreeing to tell Jeremy that he had sex with Nancy.

Later, Sophie and Mark attempt to hang out as friends and meet at Gino's. While there, Sophie sees Karen, a friend of both hers and Nancy. Naturally, Mark botches it with Karen by winking at her creepily, then later trying to save face by pretending the wink is a twitch.

During Jeremy's stag night, they invite a Buddhist named Sam who doesn't normally drink. Sam ends up cutting himself on a broken shot glass, so while everyone is at the hospital, Super Hans tells Jeremy that Nancy gave him oral sex while he was urinating. Jeremy starts crying, and Mark and Super Hans feel so bad that they tell him it was a joke.

At the reception, Mark accidentally sets up the newly single Sophie with Sam after he asks Karen on a date.

Karen, Mark, Sam, and Sophie end up back at Sophie's house. Jeff shows up to pick up some of his stuff and winds up crying in their bedroom on one of Sophie's dresses.

Series 3

Mugging

Mark gets mugged by some teenagers in an underpass. They have no weapons, but he's scared and ends up giving them all his stuff.

Mark finally has Sophie over and is excited to have relations with her, but he's still too traumatized from the mugging to get an erection. He changes the subject, which greatly bothers Sophie.

Mark buys a knife to defend himself and takes it everywhere. Sophie sees him at work and tries to flirt, but Mark acts uptight and pushes her away so she won't know about his erection problem. She still agrees to go to the movies with him.

Mark meets the teenagers' associates at Chicken Corner and pleads with them to get his Blackberry back. They ask for money in exchange for his phone, and to add to the humiliation, they make him ask for it back in a lady's voice. He complies, but they tell him they'll need to call him back later.

Mark and Sophie go to the movie theater, where they end up sitting behind one of the muggers. When the mugger causes a ruckus during the film, Mark whacks him upside the head, impressing Sophie. He suddenly gets an erection again. He and Sophie are kicked out of the theater, but she is very impressed and leans in to get frisky. She feels the knife in his pocket and is visibly freaked out.

Sectioning

Mark and Sophie are officially a couple, but Mark is devastated to learn that Sophie will be moving to Bristol for a promotion. Although they agree to maintain their relationship, Mark grows suspicious that Sophie might be unfaithful while she's in Bristol.

Jeremy and Super Hans are ecstatic when their Canadian friend, Merry, offers them the chance to manage her pub after her mother’s passing. They’re invited to a party at Merry’s home, which turns out to be just a gathering of Jeremy, Mark, and Merry herself. During the party, it becomes apparent that Merry is struggling with mental health issues and needs professional help. This is highlighted when she makes advances towards Mark and proposes that Jeremy take over the pub permanently. With no way to contact her relatives, they call a mental health facility to have her admitted.

Upon visiting Merry in the mental hospital, Super Hans mentions that they need proof of pub ownership. Merry gives Mark the pub's deeds, which he later realizes Jeremy and Super Hans require. Understanding that Merry is not in a sound state of mind and likely would not have willingly given up the pub under normal circumstances, Mark decides against handing over the deeds. This leads to threats of being committed from all sides until a psychiatrist asks them to leave.

Mark tracks down Sophie at the train station after she has been ignoring his calls. He discovers that Merry had contacted Sophie, claiming to be Mark’s other girlfriend. Sophie, upon learning that Merry is simply unwell and that nothing happened between her and Mark, appears anxious and hints that she might have had a questionable encounter with someone in Bristol, though not quite.