Not Safe for Work

Look, it's decent enough. It's interesting--it's cutting--but it's not funny. And isn't that the litmus test for a comedy?

Every story is tragic, every character is tragic, every personality, quirk and inflection is tragic. Even the one-liners are laced with insecurity. The flimsy comedic packaging only serves to detract from what is otherwise a truly impactive tragedy. For that, I'd still give it an 8.

But these are incredibly accomplished actors, capable of intensely gut-wrenching drama and seemingly effortless wit alike, yet the scenes in which they are high are no better performed than a particularly bad preteen's attempt in drama class. They are as convincing as the press release for a metal condom on the 1st of April. When portrayed well, drugs can be as everyday as a torn carrier bag or as frighteningly intense as the very best thrillers. If you're sucked out of the moment to ponder whether the actors have ever spent time with someone on drugs, or have been so wrecked themselves they only remember the glaringly obvious, it's just not done well. It's 'high' at the basest level. That's a point off.

Another is removed for how blatantly political it is. The writer is painting a very clear picture of someone shouting "You ruined us! You ruined us!" with none of the accommodation of fallibility. She's right. They did ruin us, and it's a crying shame, but writing stories around an issue that all have the exact same moral doesn't give the issue any more depth. It actually does the opposite.

Finally, I can't even remember smiling, much less actually laughing. Even Broadchurch gave us a couple of grins. If it's just going to make you depressed, can you really call it a comedy?

This is definitely a slow-burner but, wow, does it get good! I wasn't sure whether I'd stick with this after episode 1, but I did and I'm really glad. It is not what it initially seems to be. As the series goes on you get to know every character really well and find out why they are as they are. Each person is so realistically developed as it progresses. They actually speak and act like real people. That is so rare, and you start to really care about all of them. There are no villains or heroes, just like in true life, only people struggling to survive and to make sense of what sometimes seems like a pointless and ridiculous world. It is hysterically funny in places and genuinely moving too. The acting, writing and direction are second to none.

While covering much of the same ground as the deservedly celebrated "The Office", this flawless comedy augments the cringe facter with an affecting drama that ups the pathos as the story works its way to its inevitable conclusion. I do not think I have ever seen a better comedy show of any nature and it deserves the types of accolades given to "The Office" and indeed any renowned show of the past. That it was not renewed is bittersweet, as it is it remains perfect in its construction but a chance to see the characters developed further would have been great. All of the cast give their best and the satire is spot on. This is a show that reminds you that all those other semi-successful series with intermittent laughs need not be so bad - so why are they? Here, everything gels. Magnificent.

Then I got it. Given the heavy backstory, I expected it to be rather depressing. I was pleasantly surprised that the acting and, in no small part, the score made it light and humorous. The writers clearly prepped for a second season in the storyline. I hope they get it.

Sacha Dhawan and and Zawe Ashton do their best best work to date, It is so so dark,so dry it will leave you sucking cat litter for a bit of moisture and hilarious. But also quite deep and moving. W1A fans will love.