Detectorists

Mackenzie Crook's Detectorist's is not your average Sitcom, over the six episodes of the first series it delivers central characters who are desperately melancholy, yet intelligent. There are very few cliché's in this series. The story evolves, as do the characters with warmth and depth. The humour is dry and the belly laughs are few and far between, but what I found was a comedy of great sensitivity, with emotional depth and was ultimately deeply rewarding.I hope that if a second series is developed that it doesn't deviate from it's path because Detectorists (there's no apostrophe in Detectorists) really is gold. Detectorists is probably the most complete comedy sit com of all time, it's gentle humour really shines.

There is one uncredited star in the Detectorists, its the British summer. It does exist, and somehow they managed to film the whole thing in glorious summer.

I've just watched episode 3 of the second series, and its a bleak November day at the time of writing this review. Just seeing the warm sun & verdant greenery brings a smile of nice things remembered. Add in some brilliant writing, top notch acting, mild eccentricity and a dash of the absurd, and the result is something very special.

A great example of the humour in the Detectorists is in the episode I've just watched. Without giving away anything, Lance tells Andy about the time his bed was cut in half by an ex girl friend who used a chainsaw to do the deed. After a pause Andy asks "Lengthways or sideways?". No expression of surprise, no mention of why Lance (a very mild mannered man) has ended up with his bed being cut in half. No questions about what sort of person the ex was nor how Lance could have ever provoked her to do such a thing. Lance and Andy acted like it was a perfectly normal thing that could have happened to anyone. I laughed out loud.

I was looking forward to this show since I saw the trailers for it towards the end of the summer, and from the start of Episode 1 it has certainly exceeded my (rather high) expectations!

I may be slightly biased as I used to be a Detectorist in my college days some 20 years ago now, and so I immediately picked up on a lot of the behaviours and in-jokes that Mackenzie has scattered throughout the shows ("Are you metal detectors?" 'No, THESE are the metal detectors, WE are the metal detector-ISTs..') to little quirks of behaviour that I myself was guilty of (agreeing a mutual "Detectors Off" time at the end of a days hunting, or indicating an important find by performing an impromptu dance).

This is a comedy that everyone should enjoy though, not just detectorists, although you can tell Mackenzie does love the hobby. I've often thought one of the corner stones of a good comedy (or drama in general) is to have characters you can relate to, and that work well together on screen. Andy and Lance (Toby Jones) have this in bucket loads, and they do come across as being very close, old friends.

There's plenty of side-stories woven into the main thread, that keep you guessing and asking questions as the shows progress (Will Andy get together with Sophie, what/who lies buried in the paddock, why does Lance still hold a candle for Maggie..) but not enough to distract from the main plot.

All in all this is fantastically written/directed, original comedy with a great choice of actors (Simon Farnaby, Pearce Quigley..) and to top it all it features a brilliant soundtrack throughout by Johnny Flynn (or Johnny Piper if you're short sighted.) I find myself looking forward to Thursday Nights at 22:00, and if I'm honest I'm struggling to remember a show that I could last say that about, possibly Rev series 3, or Toast of London.

Most people wouldn't even begin to watch this series due to the basic premise of this show. A couple of Brit buddies roaming around fields, looking for stuff with metal detectors. Truly, that is the LEAST of what this show is all about. The metal detector element, just enhances what is truly great TV.

This is a brilliantly written, humorous, witty show that is actually about people. And how their lives, interactions and their humanity pedal on show after show. The casting is phenomenal! The scripts are fantastic! The cinematography is amazing considering the low budget. This is a comedy in large part, but the hook is in how the weave a fine tapestry of feelings, human nature and humor into each and every show. This a Masterpiece.

Once you start, there is no turning back. I personally can't wait for a season 3....4.....5.....6......7.......8.....

?..........But I love this new series. It's not a laugh out loud comedy, but it makes me smile throughout and the half hour episode is finished far too quickly. It's a gentle comedy based on the lives of a metal detectorist club and the characters in that club. There is a mad farmer with imaginary dogs who gives the two main characters permission to scan his fields, except the paddock. No one is ever to go near the paddock! I wonder why? His wife did disappear many years ago, but I have a feeling that will have nothing to do with his aversion to paddock diggers. The characters have been written so well and the direction, also by McKenzie Crook, are intriguingly watchable. Mr Crook is a talented man and after only two episodes I know this will be a favourite with me.