Quacks

A dentist, a surgeon and a physiatrist meet in a pub. It's the beginning of a joke. Victorian morals and a few patients are dissected for our amusement. My favourite was episode three, with the cross-dressing and mistaken identities but then I like daft humour.

Some of the attitudes and morals of early Victorian England have got turned around in the intervening century or so. What they were relaxed about (drugs, the value of life) and what they were up-tight about (sex, gender roles) now seem laughable or obscene today. This show throws all that into the air - blood and all - pokes fun at it and leaves us wondering if they're actually trying to make a serious point.

I enjoyed it so much I got the DVD but by the time episode one was over the rest of the family had puzzled faces or had left the room. I could only say, 'Well... I liked it.'

So why might you not like it? The elders in my tribe didn't like the casual drugs references. And then there is the gore that I think the producers put in just to make us all squirm. It's mostly off camera but still not for the feint hearted.

Best seen back to back as there are threads that carry through. Don't mean to be unkind to those not cogent of the medical, surgical, pharmacy or dentistry references but there's clearly been some research and the result is a side-splitter at times. Eloquent side references to medical/surgical ethics but on the whole BEST satirical and comedic one liners since Blackadder.

Well researched, performed, directed, and edited too. This is the sort of fun, intelligent program that the BBC was once known for.

We thoroughly enjoyed the series and sincerely hope there will be another season.

I stumbled across this one by accident, loved it. The biggest disappointment maws that there wasn't more.

If u wanna enjoy humour which is simultaneously intellectual too, go for it.