I'd not heard of this show until very recently (as it comes to a close) and jumped back to watch the first season. There is little about it that doesn't yell BBC4 at you - niche plot, very gentle comedy of smallness and slight pain, and delivered by several terrific actors. It is very slight in how it delivers, and in truth at times I took against it for how deliberately shuffling and 'small' it was trying to be. Mostly though it won me over with its humor, its pacing, and its affection for its flawed characters. I don't know how often I laughed out loud, but it did provide plenty of smiles and moments to enjoy.
Not sure I totally engaged with the main plot - or at least the love triangle with Andy at the center; it felt too artificial and didn't have a convincing foundation to it. The actions of the characters didn't ring true. Lance's situation was more convincing, even though elements were exaggerated for comedic effect. Part of that is how good Toby Jones is; he always is of course, but here he gets the tone just right and his performance makes up for the slightness of the material at times. Crook is good but not quite as good. He pushes things a bit too much at times, not letting it seem natural - often it feels like he is in a rush to do the thing he needs to do, rather than letting it come. The supporting cast are variable but mostly good; Stirling didn't work for me - not sure why just didn't buy her performance throughout.
Enjoyable in its elements though, even if it is very slight and at times doesn't convince in its content and internal movements.
Not sure I totally engaged with the main plot - or at least the love triangle with Andy at the center; it felt too artificial and didn't have a convincing foundation to it. The actions of the characters didn't ring true. Lance's situation was more convincing, even though elements were exaggerated for comedic effect. Part of that is how good Toby Jones is; he always is of course, but here he gets the tone just right and his performance makes up for the slightness of the material at times. Crook is good but not quite as good. He pushes things a bit too much at times, not letting it seem natural - often it feels like he is in a rush to do the thing he needs to do, rather than letting it come. The supporting cast are variable but mostly good; Stirling didn't work for me - not sure why just didn't buy her performance throughout.
Enjoyable in its elements though, even if it is very slight and at times doesn't convince in its content and internal movements.