When the scandals of the past weeks make their fictionalised debut — courtesy of James Graham, or perhaps Charlie Brooker — it will be Carrie Johnson’s surprise party for Boris Johnson that elevates mere TV drama into art. The surprise party.
Is there a more potent dramatic device? It just reveals so much about the characters involved. The surpriser, well-meaning, exposing for all to see just how well they know their friend. The surprisee: expected to be grateful for this sudden turn of events. The whole thing: precarious, revealing any weak links among the guests.
