Having conquered radio, TV, movies, literature, and podcasts, Alan Partridge turns his hand to current affairs/human interest-style documentaries.
Like most things in the Partridge Universe, this special is connected to his vast catalogue of work: "Scissored Isle" is inspired by an incident on "Mid-Morning Matters" where Partridge was goaded by a group of teenagers and called one of them a 'chav'.
Looking to redeem himself, Partridge goes to northern England (joined by his beautiful dog Seldom) to connect with the ordinary people - this includes working in a Tesco's, befriending a group of Manchester youths, and being locked in a warehouse after being abandoned by a 'Fregan' (who only eats discarded food) while dumpster diving.
While the warehouse scenes are the highlights (and show Partridge at his most vulnerable and surprisingly resourceful), the massive comedown after 'testing' some drugs at a party results in a windy hungover Partridge trying to interview a mayor (to the point his questions and reactions have to be dubbed over). And a 'doorstop chaser'-style ambush of a payday lender owner (Kevin) takes a turn when Alan finds out that Kevin's a fan of his radio show and he goes easier on him - his vanity and desperation to be liked outweighing his journalistic integrity.
Like most of the Gibbons brothers' era of Partridge, Alan's ineptitude and ego is front and centre, with moments of sympathy to balance it out: a quiet moment in the warehouse sees him somberly reflect on the happier moments of his marriage to Carol.