Derek is one of those rare shows where you smile throughout every episode and occasionally laugh deeply - like you do when you're with friends, not watching a TV show - and cry quietly and get angry with the characters. For me, I was pulled in emotionally and quickly became heavily invested in the lives of the characters. It really speaks volumes about what Gervais and the cast were able to achieve here. The writing is tight, and every scene of every episode adds to the characters in some way. As much as Gervais focuses on plots and subplots and antics and uncomfortable situations, he spends an equal amount of time deepening his characters and shaping them as unique people.
The acting is excellent, as is typical of Gervais's work, and feels spontaneous and authentic (there are exceptions, but nothing's perfect). Its unfortunate that Gervais can't get away from his other work with this one.
It seems that everyone reviewed Derek under the lens of Gervais's previous work. Expecting something you're already seen before when someone offers to show you something new is nonsensical.
Gervais has always been successful at poignancy when he needs to be, but he knocks it out the park here consistently without ever getting "cheesy." It shows his writing and directing abilities have improved (even if he might be leaning on the mockumentary format a bit too much), and I'm anxious to maybe see more dramatic work from him.
Overall, Gervais's best work to date in its own right. 10/10
The acting is excellent, as is typical of Gervais's work, and feels spontaneous and authentic (there are exceptions, but nothing's perfect). Its unfortunate that Gervais can't get away from his other work with this one.
It seems that everyone reviewed Derek under the lens of Gervais's previous work. Expecting something you're already seen before when someone offers to show you something new is nonsensical.
Gervais has always been successful at poignancy when he needs to be, but he knocks it out the park here consistently without ever getting "cheesy." It shows his writing and directing abilities have improved (even if he might be leaning on the mockumentary format a bit too much), and I'm anxious to maybe see more dramatic work from him.
Overall, Gervais's best work to date in its own right. 10/10