Not Safe for Work

I JUST STARTED WATCHING AND COULDN'T STOP. EVERY MEMBER OF THE CAST IS EXCELLENT AND ENGAGING. THE GREAT TALENT IS THE REASON TO WATCH THIS. I LOVE THAT THE SOUNDTRACK IS OFTER SILENT SO THERE'S NO CANNED LAUGHTER OR ANNOYING POP MUSIC MOST OF THE TIME SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON THE DRAMA OR COMEDY.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN JUST EXACTLY WHAT THE SHOW IS ABOUT BUT THAT'S ALSO WHAT MAKES IT ENGAGING. WONDERFULLY DIRECT DIALOGUE BUT FOCUSES ON THE PAIN MORE THAT SHOCK VALUE.

WHILE GENEARLLY NOT A FAN OF FLASHBACKS THEY WERE USED BRILLIANTLY HERE.

THE VISUAL BONUS TO THE TALENT HERE IS A VERY YOUNG ATTRACTIVE CAST THAT MAKES THIS EASY TO WATCH AND YOU FORGET THAT MOST OF IT TAKES PLACE IN AN OFFICE. DEFINITELY AN ATYPICAL OFFICE SERIES. ONE OF THE BEST CONTEMPORARY SHOWS ON BRITBOX. THE BLURB OF WHAT IT IS ABOUT ONLY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE OF THE STORYLINE. BRILLIANT. I'M DEPRESSED THEY ONLY MADE ONE SEASON AND IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO FIND THIS. I NEVER EVER REMEMBER SEEING THE TITLE UNTIL THE LAST WEEK VEN THOUGHT IT WAS MADE ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO.

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.

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?

I opened my IMDB account to review this. Not Safe For Work is, I believe, my most favourite mini-series of all time.

This is not your typical office comedy. This is the story of a group of people failing at life, but in a realistic way. It's both very funny and very dark, and while at first it may seem cringy and over-the-top, you quickly get into these weird people's weird lives and personalities - as Morticia Addams says, 'normal is an illusion'.

At first you start with archetypes, such as the junkie, the awkward chatterbox or the guy with anger issues, but the characters unravel and become absolutely attaching (especially the Danny-Angela duo, as far as I'm concerned).

In the end, these people and their stories are really touching and I simply didn't want to let go of this lot.

My only complaint is that it's way too short!

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.