With corpses stuck in perpetual orbit around his ship, and an estimated return journey of three years, Captain Clark assumes that things can’t get any worse. Wrong!

As we enter the third episode of Armando Iannucci’s sci-fi sitcom, there’s a sense of acceptance that this voyage of the dammed annoying is going to take as long as it’s going to take, and that everyone just has to get on with it. But things are never on an even keel, and the false hope offered by Cyrus’ new flight plan (only six months to get home) is soon dashed when they realise it will be six months longer!

Hugh Laurie’s Clark has recognised the value of Rebecca Front’s Karen Kelly – keep your enemies close, and all of that – and her ego is massaged by her recognition as the people’s spokesperson. It’s put to the test when she has to explain how she brokered a deal in reducing the return time (even though it’s the same as before). Elsewhere, it’s bickering as usual and mission control trying to hatch another recovery plan.

The greatest joy this episode is the discovery of yet another big secret, something that has been hidden even from the captain. And as crazy as it is, it’s totally believable in this all-too-credible future where sanity has long left humanity behind.

Verdict: The predicament of cruiser Avenue 5 takes another turn for the worse – one is almost too scared to pose the question about things getting worse. As an observer, it’s like watching a crash in slow motion, and you can’t take your eyes off it. 8/10

Nick Joy