Eric's second encounter with Antigone in "Flowers for Chapman". In contrast to Petunia, who dismisses her as Rudyard's "weird" sister, Eric warmly encourages Antigone to join them, helps control her allergies so she can take off her pollen helmet and smell the flowers, and shows genuine amazement when she discusses her scented embalming fluids. Despite the fact that they're rivals and that at this point he clearly finds Antigone a little scary, Eric is nonetheless polite and respectful through their entire conversation.
The fact that Herbert, who runs the local cinema, genuinely likes Antigone, and is always glad to see her when she comes for her weekly movie. As overlooked as she is — often in her own home — it's nice to see that someone in Piffling Vale enjoys having her around.
The so-called "local hoodlums" are actually perfectly pleasant, harmless kids who never do anything worse than tagging the walls with graffiti and loitering at the bus stop. When Antigone bumps into them, fuming from her latest troubles at Funn Funerals, they're more than happy to let her vent. By the end of the episode, Antigone has struck up a little friendship with them.
Antigone: Thank you, local village hoodlums. Should you ever need anything embalmed, I am at your disposal.
Not only that, they already knew who she was when she approached them! Since they're teenagers, it's likely she hasn't left the mortuary since before they were born (or at least not since they were babies), so they wouldn't have ever met her—but they recognize her and greet her as a friend, one even telling his friend to move over so "Miss Antigone" can sit down. Piffling Vale's worst delinquents, ladies and gentlemen.
It turns out that the kids don't even really like loitering at the bus stop that much, but Mayor Desmond put it there because he's convinced every town has a bus stop for local hoodlums to loiter at, and they don't want to hurt his feelings.
According to Antigone, baby Rudyard cried the whole week between his birth and hers... and stopped the moment she was born. D'awwww.
In the season finale, Antigone begrudgingly admits she doesn't hate Rudyard, and tells him to keep his chin up. For the Funns, that's huge.
Eric rescues Rudyard from jail, and brings him his favorite candy as means to say sorry for taking so long.
Rudyard actually does empathize with Marjorie, and tries to talk her down nonviolently.
Season Two
In "A Funeral House Divided," Eric sincerely compliments the elaborate funeral service Antigone put together, and she seems genuinely touched. Of course, Status Quo Is God, but still, it's a nice moment.
Much of "Take a Letter, Miss Crusoe" is heartwarming.
It's a small moment, but Georgie remembering the Mayor's birthday is quite sweet of her, considering even he forgot it.
When Georgie resigns, Antigone and Rudyard are both crushed, and beg her to stay.
Even when Antigone and Rudyard show up at the Mayor's party (which could get Georgie sacked), Georgie tells another party-goer that they're great people, and she seems to genuinely mean it.
When they end up sinking to what could be their deaths in a swamp (It Makes Sense in Context, sort of), Rudyard and Antigone, in a rare moment of love for each other, take a second to say goodbye to one another.
And, of course, Georgie comes to the rescue, and finds that, as much as Antigone and Rudyard argue and make life difficult, she can't leave them.
Georgie: You're too much fun. There's no one else I'd rather be sitting on a coffin in the middle of the swamp with.
Then, a meteor shower starts, and Georgie, Antigone, and Rudyard watch it together, making this one of the only episodes that ends on a high note for the Funns.
As much as Antigone suffers in "The Sweet, Sweet Taste of Death," there are a few nice moments.
When Sidney chokes on a Memento Mori (a chocolate designed by Antigone) and (seemingly) dies, Eric's immediate instinct is to help Antigone hide the body, realizing how bad it would look. (Especially given that Rudyard attracted an angry mob on far less evidence.)
Antigone: Why are you helping me? Eric: Because if you went to prison for life, that'd be a stupid waste.
Herbert runs into Antigone and she can't help but tell him what happened, blaming herself for Sidney's "death." Herbert comforts her, pointing out that even if Sidney did choke to death on her chocolate, that wasn't her fault, and it could've happened to anybody.
In general, Eric is a perfect gentleman to Antigone throughout the episode. And at the end, even after it's revealed everyone hates Memento Mori, he goes to Agatha and happily orders a box.
Eric: I rather like them.
"Flip Flap Flop" has two big ones that show how much Georgie cares about the Funns.
When Rudyard's speech goes very poorly and he starts faltering and stammering, the other undertakers rudely talk over and jeer him. Georgie snaps at them to shut up, before kindly telling Rudyard to not worry, and go ahead and say his piece.
Even though her defining trait is how completely unflappable she is, Georgie utterly loses her shit when the other undertakers insult Rudyard during his speech, and claim that he and Antigone "didn't even try." The episode ends with twenty-five undertakers having broken bones, and Antigone and Rudyard going to bail Georgie out of jail.
In the same episode, Eric (drunkenly) reveals that his incessant niceness to Rudyard isn't just him generally being a polite person; he genuinely likes Rudyard and considers him to be a great guy.
At the climax of "Rudyard Makes a Friend," Rudyard pulls a Go Through Me to protect Eric from a bomb-wielding maniac. It is quite possibly the most selfless thing he's ever done.
"Undertakers Underground" has a lot of heartwarming moments.
Rudyard utterly freaks out when he thinks Antigone might have died in the mine. It's one of the few moments we get a clear indication that he does love his sister.
Eric confesses that he's afraid of the dark. When his phone's battery dies and he and Antigone are left sitting in the dark, she comforts him and holds his hand.
Antigone shares a rare, truly happy memory for her: when she saw a clown named Bijou at the circus. Even though this was years ago, it's clear seeing Bijou was one of the best nights of Antigone's life, and it had a great impact on her. Eric reveals that the circus is still running, and Bijou is still with them. He then invites Antigone to go see the show together.
Eric: Who wouldn't want to see the woman who made Antigone Funn laugh?
Antigone finds out Eric is the one who bought her chocolates, and is deeply touched.
This bit of dialogue.
Antigone: What a surprise. Eric Chapman saves the day, yet again. Eric: Antigone Funn, brilliant, yet again. [pause] Really, you are. You know that, right?
"There Ought to be Clowns" is arguably the sweetest episode of the series thus far.
Antigone actually gets to meet Bijou and tell her how much her act means to her, and their conversation is pure heartwarming. Bijou is revealed to be quite shy and insecure when she's offstage, but she's deeply touched that Antigone remembered her and came back to see her after all these years. She then tells Antigone not to care so much about what other people think — because Antigone should remember that she's important, too.
When Bijou unexpectedly dies, a heartbroken Antigone is determined to do her funeral. She even agrees to do it for free.
Antigone is about ready to give up, but then Rudyard, who has been in his usual bad temper all episode, asks her, sincerely, how much this funeral means to her. If the funeral is so important to her, then they're going to do it, come hell or highwater.
Rudyard: Why does anyone do anything? Because it means something to them.
In the end, when Eric (of course) winds up with the funeral anyway, he still allows Antigone to have a part, realizing just how much it means to her. The season ends with Rudyard and Antigone giving Bijou and her compatriots a Viking Funeral together, watching as the flaming boat goes out onto the sea.
Just before they light it up, we get this:
Antigone: You are my brother, and despite everything... I'm very glad that you exist. Rudyard:[after a pause, obviously touched] You, too.
Season Three
"The Loneliness of the Short-Tempered Rudyard":
While at the yacht club, Rudyard asks for some cheese for Madeleine. When everyone sees she's a mouse and freaks out, the waitress offering to kill her, he angrily shouts that she's his friend.
In the end, Rudyard comes home from the disastrous meeting to find Georgie is waiting up for him with Antigone. He points out that her shift ended hours ago and she could've gone home, and guesses that she expected things to go badly. She simply replies, "Yeah. But I hoped it wouldn't."
The episode ends with Madeleine and Rudyard sharing a piece of shortcake she stole from the yacht club, and thoroughly enjoying it.
"Altar Ego" ends with Reverend Wavering and Antigone concluding that, while it got out of control quickly, their novel made a lot of people happy and inspired them, and that's a great thing. The Reverend then suggests that if they ever collaborate again, they should put their own names on the manuscript instead of using a pseudonym. Antigone warmly agrees.
Earlier, their utter glee when they realize people are reading their book is so cute.
In general, the fact that they work well together and have a good time writing their novel. Aside from the usual back-and-forth of creative collaboration, there's no fighting, no clashing egos, no dismissing each other's abilities. Just two friends writing a book together and being very proud of the result.
"Rudyard Takes a Hike." All of it.
Throughout the episode, Rudyard is genuinely protective of Calliope, who is isolated from her peers for being a morbid weirdo. When another scout makes fun of her name, he snaps that Rudyard—uh, he means, Calliope is a perfectly normal name, there are lots of people with that name. When it's pointed out how obviously untrue this is, he says, "Well, there should be."
It's implied that Rudyard doesn't just empathize with Calliope because she reminds him of himself, though that's definitely part of it. Calliope is a wannabe mortician who is passionate about embalming, to the point of making scented embalming fluids, has an aversion to most other people, and has an unusual name from Greek mythology. Sound familiar? Rudyard bonds with a girl who's basically a mini-Antigone!
In general, Rudyard's genuine enthusiasm about being a scout leader is quite sweet, especially given his general personality. Even if he is terrible at it.
Rudyard entertains the children with a ghost story, and all parties genuinely enjoy it.
In the end, the other kids come to accept Calliope, and even pick her to be their new scout leader!
This conversation between Rudyard and Calliope is just as sweet as it is funny:
Calliope: When I grow up, I want to open my own funeral home, just like yours! Rudyard: Good for you! You... will move to a different island? Calliope: Yes. Rudyard: Thank God.
Calliope, in a show of appreciation, invents a "funeral" badge to give to Rudyard, just like he always wanted. Though he (inevitably) gets thrown out of the troop again, Madeleine notes that this time, it doesn't hurt nearly as much.
At the end of "The Race for Piffling," Mayor Desmond takes Georgie out for dinner to thank her for all her hard work on his campaign.
"Antigone in the Spotlight":
Despite being upset that Antigone rejected her Anguished Declaration of Love earlier, Marlene still watches the show and praises Antigone for the result, and seems genuinely okay with the fact that she's been turned down. The two part on unexpectedly good terms.
Georgie and Antigone quietly make up at the end of the episode. Georgie's understandably sad that her crush likes someone else and not her, but she's not going to let it wreck a close friendship.
Antigone tries to apologize to Rudyard for yelling at him backstage, but all she has to say is, "About earlier, I'm sorry—" before he cuts her off and softly says, "I know," without a hint of anger.
When everyone goes out drinking at the end of the episode, Eric remembers from a previous episode that Rudyard doesn't drink alcohol, and offers him his preferred beverage of milk. Antigone also tags along, a big change from how she was at the start of the series.
"Tinker, Tailor, Undertaker" has Desmond and Nigel officially getting engaged, and everyone cheering and applauding them. Madeleine describes the celebration getting so large and involving so much of the village, it spills out onto the street. Eric gladly agrees to be the best man, and everyone celebrates with a round of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Even Antigone is happy to see it happen.
Georgie taking care of a hungover Madeleine (yes, really) in "The Sunshine Treatment" is oddly adorable.
Eric falling asleep on the Funns' floor.
At the end of the episode, Dr. Edgware is unusually... kind while breaking the news of Nana's death to Georgie.
"Putting the Funn in Funerals" is a beautifully bittersweet episode all around.
Madeleine checks up on Georgie throughout the episode, even when Georgie insists she doesn't need it.
Mayor Desmond is completely understanding as to what Georgie's going through, and implores her to take some time off, go home, and get some rest. He also suggests she hide under his desk for a bit, since that's what he does when he's upset. Georgie insists on working, but she clearly genuinely appreciates his concern for her.
Desmond also gives Georgie a toy bicycle as a gift, partially to thank her for her help in the wedding planning.
Even though Nana pre-booked her funeral with him, Eric tells Georgie he is completely okay with it if she'd rather have the Funns do it. And that's precisely what she chooses to do. She gives the funeral to Rudyard and Antigone, her friends.
Despite all their losses to Chapman and their various dysfunctions, Georgie makes it clear to the Funns that giving up is not and never has been an option.
When they muse on leaving the funeral business, Georgie asks the Funns what that'd mean for her job. Rudyard says they'd all learn new things together. Even when he was about to throw in the towel, Rudyard always intended to take her with them.
Reverend Wavering allows Georgie to take a nap in the church, and says she's welcome to do anytime. The two then take a walk, and she asks him if he believes in the afterlife. He thinks it over, and then says that these days, people believe whatever they want, and he thinks people turn to religion because the thought that their loved ones are still out there somewhere and watching over them is a comforting one. It's one of the few times his agnosticism isn't Played for Laughs, but instead is shown as meaningful and valid.
Reverend Wavering: You can't choose your relatives. But you can choose your family. Georgie: That sounds nice. Not sure I get it. Reverend Wavering:[with an audible smile] You will.
Rudyard begrudgingly has to ask for Eric's help with the funeral, which Eric happily provides — and, since it's for Georgie and her Nana, he tells Rudyard not to worry about paying him. Rudyard insists, however, so Eric asks for his help writing his best man speech, admitting that, while he loves Desmond and Nigel, he doesn't know them well enough to write a good speech. So, in exchange for his help, Rudyard can tell him some funny anecdotes about the two of them.
Rudyard: I want it on record that I'm only doing this for Georgie Crusoe.
When Antigone shows up awhile later, she finds Eric and Rudyard drinking coffee and laughing their asses off while Rudyard tells a story about a Christmas pageant he and Antigone were in as kids, with Nigel directing. For once, they aren't arguing or competing at all, and just sound like a couple of old friends. Eric invites the Funns to stay for dinner, and while they turn him down so they can go check on Georgie, they politely turn him down — so, certainly progress.
The wedding. All of it. Everyone is so happy, and the newlyweds are so blissfully in love. The reception is just as wonderful. Antigone gets drunk and tears up the dance floor, and Rudyard is given due credit for helping Eric with his speech — and, because of his stellar memory, is asked if he'd like to head up a new archive project for the town's history.
Even the minor characters get heartwarming moments. Sidney's girlfriend asks him to come back in for a dance, saying "they're playing our song!", and Sidney notes, clearly smiling, that every song has been "their song."
Jennifer nervously makes conversation with Georgie, and tries to flirt with her, in her own, awkward way. It works, and the two agree to a date the next week. After Georgie leaves, Jennifer whispers, "Yes!" to herself, obviously over-the-moon. It's not a ship most listeners expected, but it was accepted with open arms by the fandom.
When going to spread Nana's ashes, Georgie says she'll be okay... she'll have her family with her. Cue Rudyard and Antigone coming to get her.
It's revealed that the thing Rudyard asked Eric for was permission to borrow his hot air balloon... because the Funns want to spread Nana's ashes over the ocean. Georgie is thrilled when she realizes they're going to fly, and loves the idea of letting the wind take the ashes all over the world. The season ends with Madeleine, Rudyard, Antigone, and Georgie soaring through the sky together, with Georgie finally being able to properly say goodbye to her Nana. Madeleine describes the sense of joy and freedom as they continue to fly through the air, and a downright beautiful instrumental plays as our leads watch the sun set together.
Eric doesn't interfere when Rudyard and Antigone show Georgie the balloon, but watched from behind the door because he wanted to see the look on her face. He asks Antigone if they're friends, and while she says "no, competitors," one gets the distinct impression that now, it's more of a Friendly Rivalry than anything. Madeleine then notes that as the others lift off in his balloon, he stands and watches them for a while, waving.
Season Four
In "The Body Snatchers", Rudyard and Antigone both get so frustrated that they want to quit the business, but Georgie has none of it. Minutes later, they're all united by their hatred of Eric once more, and the Funns quietly take their previous comments back. Georgie accepts this instantly, saying, "Let's never fight again."
"Old School Funn":
Much to Rudyard's surprise, Georgie is actually interested in hearing about his and Antigone's school days, asking him to tell the story.
Young Rudyard and Antigone seem to be genuinely close in the flashbacks, trying to bolster each other's confidence and assure one another that secondary school will be great. When Rudyard is stuffed into a bin by Mr. Askey, Antigone, seeing this from inside the building, runs outside to help him out, and asks if he's okay.
Miss Khatri scolds her class for mocking Antigone's enthusiasm, saying that a love of science should always be celebrated. She then encourages Antigone to never give up and keep learning. Antigone's incredibly touched, and actually seems to be coming into her own in Miss Khatri's class, enthusiastically answering questions and using her newfound confidence to learn all she can about being a mortician. Sadly, Broken Pedestal sets in later, but it's nice while it lasts. As an adult, Antigone outright says Khatri was the first person besides her mother to encourage her dreams of being a great mortician.
Even though she's obviously creeped out by being given an embalmed gerbil as a present, Miss Khatri avoids saying so outright, clearly not wanting to hurt Antigone's feelings, as it was meant as a heartfelt gift for her favorite teacher. While she did throw it out, she did so outside, suggesting she was trying to be discreet. (And, in fairness, what was she supposed to do with a dead gerbil?)
"The Big Cheese":
Despite hating Eric's guts, Georgie is genuinely relieved when Madeleine saves his life, and asks if he's okay afterwards.
Eric and Madeleine share a drink and empathize over the difficulties of admiration and fame.
Rudyard, despite seething with jealousy and resentment the whole episode, calls the village out for abandoning Madeleine the second something new comes along. It's then revealed her speech was going to specifically thanks the Funns for allowing her to live with them, and Rudyard for taking care of her.
"A Match Made in Piffling":
Even though it doesn't work out, Antigone and Dr. Edgware deciding to go on a date is extremely sweet. For two socially awkward people who don't get out much, they're very earnest and adorable.
Rudyard apparently regularly makes bedtime cocoa for himself and Antigone. When she stays out until midnight, he sits up waiting for her, and complains that he was worried sick.
"Radio Drama" ends with Georgie and Jennifer deciding to move in together.
"In the Buff":
Sin St. John's interactions with Antigone. They immediately call her beautiful and nickname her "Winter Queen," and try to soothe her fears about posing nude, assuring her that she can back out if she wants and no one will be angry, but promising that there's nothing to be afraid of and she doesn't need to feel insecure.
When Agatha jokes about strong-arming Antigone into going through with it, Sin snaps, "No, you won't," emphasizing that in the end, Antigone's comfort is the most important thing. In general, they clearly go to great lengths to make a judgment-free, relaxing environment for their photoshoots, blasting music to help everyone relax and going out of their way to bolster everyone's confidence.
Eric has started going to Herbert's weekly foreign film showings specifically to see Antigone.
Later, Antigone gets a group You Are Better Than You Think You Are from Georgie, Marlene, and Sin. Marlene's participation is especially nice, as she points out not just Antigone's physical beauty, but emotional strength. She also refers to herself as having been in love with Antigone, revealing her infatuation wasn't just a silly crush to her.
"A Funn Farewell":
Despite all of the turbulence in their relationship, the Funns decide to put on a funeral service for Eric's long deceased friend, Brett, after learning just how much has broken Eric. And while it may have been Antigone's suggestion, she admits she probably would have backed down if it wasn't for Rudyard's support of the idea. By the end, Eric's finally let go of his grief and is ready to move on.
Madeleine: The six of us stood beside the grave, heads bowed, to commemorate a man that few of us had met – but whose passing had nonetheless brought us together. There had been no body, and no coffin, and it could be scarcely said to have happened on time... but I felt very proud of the Funns that day. And as I dabbed away the tears from my whiskers, and looked across at Eric, I saw that – in that moment – he was finally at peace.
Bonus Episodes
"The Trouble With Rudyard":
Despite finding Rudyard's predicament hilarious, Antigone does stop to ask him if he's hurt at all, and is glad when he assures her he's fine.
Eric argues passionately for Rudyard's rescue, and later agrees to lower him down some food.
Madeline comes to keep Rudyard company while he waits for rescue.
Later, Antigone calls him from the cinema, admitting she wouldn't be able to enjoy herself and concentrate, knowing he was stuck at the bottom of the well and worrying about him. So she stands in the cinema's lobby, reading him the subtitles so they can "watch" the movie together. Rudyard genuinely appreciates this, and the episode ends with him and Madeline settling in to enjoy together.
