A Slice Of Television Gold

I’ve largely tried to position this blog as something that is focussed on the positive*, particularly when it comes to discussion of creative things. There are so many things to talk about when it comes to film, television, books, comics, theatre, comedy, the arts in general that I would rather focus on recommending stuff what I like in the hope that some of that enthusiasm might prompt someone to check it out and maybe also find something that they enjoy.

I’ve almost been hesitant when it came to discussing this programme. Not because I don’t like it - I absolutely love it. Not because it isn’t good - it’s one of the best TV shows in recent memory. No, I’ve actually hesitated talking about it because I don’t think I could I could bear it if I recommended it and someone else didn't enjoy it as much as me.

Fleabag

What Is It? A sitcom that follows the life of a woman who has a horrible feeling that she’s a “greedy perverted, selfish, apathetic, cynical, depraved, morally bankrupt woman who can't even call herself a feminist” (a description that in no way even begins to do it justice).

Why’s It So Good? Just the little matter of writing and performance combined. Phoebe Waller-Bridge converts her own stage play into a sitcom and those stage roots pay off in spades for the first series, giving a storyline that pays off in a satisfying manner by the final episode. It’s also very funny - Waller-Bridge knows how to craft a good line and her asides, looks and glances to the camera throughout are superbly timed and delivered. It’s also one of those rare beasts in which the full cast pull their weight throughout from Sian Clifford as uptight sister Claire with Brett Gelman as gross brother-in-law Martin through to Bill Patterson and Olivia Colman on fine form as her ineffectual father and monstrous stepmother/godmother respectively. 
Having delivered a first series that tells a complete story, Waller-Bridge has pulled off the difficult trick of managing to deliver a second series that satisfies from a character point of view while still being funny and fresh.

A Note About What Sort Of Series This Is:- I’ve seen this described a few times a few times as sitcom noir, a description that I’m not fond of. It seems to imply that “regular” sitcom is incapable of going to darker places so a new description is needed. This is patently untrue as anyone who has been moved by the death of Coach in Cheers or of Henry in M*A*S*H* or the sacrifice of the main characters at the end of Blackadder Goes Forth can attest. It’s not actually the “sit” in sitcom that is the most important element; it’s the characters and the dynamics created between that make good sitcoms great and enable you to switch from comedy to tragedy. Phoebe Waller-Bridge understands this completely and deploys both when it best serves the show to do so.

Nice Little Touches:- It genuinely took me a few episodes to notice that, apart from Claire, Martin and best friend Boo (although that could be a nickname), no one has a character name. Just Fleabag, Dad, Godmother, Areshole Guy, Bus Rodent, etc…
Also, I’m a big fan of talking to camera as technique when it’s done well and here it is employed brilliantly (with some particular surprises in the second series).

So Should I Watch It? Like many great British TV shows, it’s only two series long and there will be no more so it won't take you long to watch. If you haven’t yet, unreservedly so, yes (although i will be upset if you’re not as into it as me, sorry) and if you have, ah, stick it on again. It’s a show that holds up to repeat viewings.

* Rants about the everyday fun of commuting excepted.