Resolutions

Resolutions is the first episode of series 11 of Not Going Out and originally aired on 30 December, 2020. It is the eighth christmas special.

Synopsis
Lee and Lucy have invited Lucy's parents, Lee's dad and friends Anna and Toby over for the New Year's celebrations, but despite the pandemic causing massive changes to the usual festivities, there is one thing that hasn't changed at all - the constant arguing between the family. It is time for everyone to make a New Year's resolution which will help not only them, but also help the whole family come together.

Plot
It is 40 minutes until the New year. The gang are playing a game of guess who. When Geoffrey wins, Lee accuses him of cheating which then brings on a arguement. Lucy then threatens that who ever starts the next fight will be getting the family midnight trifle dumped over them. Toby then suggests they all make Resolutions. They then start to give each other resolutions. Lee tells Lucy that she should stop taking her dad's side over him. Lucy tells Lee that he should stop with his jokes about people. Frank tells Geoffrey to stop saying his catchphrase "Good God". Geoffrey tells Frank to stop making rude comments. They then tell Wendy to stop drinking (since she is drunk throughout the episode). They then turn to Toby and Anna. They tell Anna that she should stop being so rude and bossy to people. The situation then begins to escalate. Just before Lucy is about to "serve" the trifle, Toby stands up and defuses the situation by telling everyone that instead of just saying what they need to change, they should be saying why they are doing it in the first place. Everyone then openly talks about their changes. Just as the fireworks are about to start, they all start to manipulate Toby for being a big softy and tells him to "grow a backbone". Toby then has a swearing outburst, saying how everyone should take responsibility for their own actions. The episode ends with him dumping the trifle over his own head, and Geoffrey saying his catchphrase.

Trivia

 * This episode was the first filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic to be broadcast.
 * The closing credits contain a small tribute to Bobby Ball, who played Frank; Ball passed in late October 2020 due to COVID-19 complications, just a few weeks after filming.

Main cast

 * Lee Mack as Lee
 * Sally Bretton as Lucy
 * Geoffrey Whitehead as Geoffrey
 * Deborah Grant as Wendy
 * Bobby Ball as Frank
 * Hugh Dennis as Toby
 * Abigail Cruttenden as Anna

Crew

 * Producer - Jamie Rix
 * Writer - Lee Mack and Daniel Peak
 * Director - Nick Wood