The swimsuit episode is often a sign of desperation, an attempt to breathe life back into a failing series through easy comedy and abundant fanservice. If no one cares about the story, then maybe they'll at least keep watching to see some animated cleavage. The problem usually surfaces when there's nothing to hold the audience's interest once the characters go home and change back into their normal clothes. By some miracle, however, Actually, I Am… found a way to use a swimsuit episode to get itself back on track before the end of the season.
