Back

Just because it's written by Blackwell (writer for Peep Show) and stars Mitchell and Webb, don't expect this to be a Peep Show spin off - lot's of people I've spoken to did, and so got put off when they found out it was a different programme, with different characters, different humour and a different story.

I watched the first episode as I was intrigued into this new story by the Peep Show team, but I knew to be open minded and didn't expect to see Mitchell playing a Mark Corrigan and Webb playing a Jeremy Usbourne.

Instead what you have is a very intriguing piece of comedy drama. I've only seen up until the 4th episode, and I've heard the 5th is we where get all the pay offs and where it gets much darker.

The drama is really clever, to be fair, and unexpectedly dramatic from a sitcom writer and a sitcom duo. There are certainly very funny moments, especially at the end of episode 1 and there were some very funny moments in episode 4, with it being reminiscent of the Mark/Jez conversations of Peep Show, EXCEPT in reverse. Andrew (Webb's character) seems to be an almost perfect foster son, he's a world traveller with a clear mind, good intentions, a cultured palate and wants to live his life the best way. Stephen (Mitchell) whilst still a rule-abiding citizen, over-thinker like Mark Corrigan is more mystified by the world around him, and more of a drinker, and sometimes needs Andrew to dodge some bullets for him (it was the other way round sometimes in Peep Show).

To summarise, don't judge this show at all based off Peep Show. It's not the same, and should be judged by it's own storytelling and merits, and by all factors its been very good so far. I'm about to watch the rest of the episodes, and I feel like all this drama and these questions the audience has are about to be answered (or maybe not).

Give it a try

First episodes are always tricky for sitcoms and with a lot of setting up to do and a fairly large cast to introduce, it can bring immediate criticism before even given a chance for the story to evolve properly, which is unfair especially for a show with so much potential as this one. I thought it was brilliant, laughed loudly for the most part of it and smiled the entire time... and that's what sitcoms are about. This one hit the nail on the head for me and I'm looking forward the next episodes.

The main thing to note is if you don't like dry and dark humour that doesn't stop to give you time to process and signal that yes, that was a joke, then you will hate this.

There is a prominent Mitchell and Webb vibe from the show. But it definitely differs in tone somewhat from Peep Show and their various sketch shows. Personally I found this incarnation less appealing than those previous works, but there is no real reason why someone couldn't enjoy this more, it's just a matter of taste.

Overall if you are a fan of the duo then you will probably enjoy this, I think the only thing it lacks is a likeability factor with the mains. You never connect with them properly and there is no mechanism this time to falicitate this despite their apparent dislikablilty. I thought you were supposed to mellow out in your old age as a comedian, not get bleaker!

When the Peep shows long run finally came to an end. It also meant the best sitcom of the last decade ended too. So it's great to the shows two stars Robert Webb and David Mitchell back together in this new comedy. People will argue there characters are the same as in the Peep Show. David something of a failure hopeless with women. Robert equally abject but always able to blag his way through life and with ladies. For me I don't care it's great to see them together in this very funny show. If like me you've been missing the Peep Show then Back will at least fill the void. 9/10

I'm not sure how exactly to describe it but I'd say it's a worthy-ish evolution of the dynamic duo of Mitchell and Webb.

I'd heartily recommend it to anyone who can appreciate the humor poking its head out from the plot full of dreary yet energetic dysfunction.