Ricky Gervais plays a guy who turns bitter at the world after the tragic loss of his wife. True to his style, Gervais' character spirals into moralizing the various noxious people that intrude into his bubble of grief. Now generally I like Gervais' take on anything including religion. But there is a fine line between being snarky and full on antagonistic.
Most of the other characters in the show have their flaws exaggerated to caricature levels to make the protagonist seem more impressive. They are almost exclusively lined up to get knocked down sometimes by cruel, cheap shots. Like the go to ammunition for the men in the protagonist's crosshairs is "loser" (usually implied) while for the women it's "loose" (can't reproduce the actual word but it's used repeatedly). Tragic lack of imagination. And the dis fest expands its scope making victims even in the ranks of people that are not actually harmful but trendy to bash such as horoscope followers or feminists.
There is the "good guy" version of our main character shown through the videos recorded while enjoying happy times with his wife. We are repeatedly reminded how "lovely" he was but there is not much to back that up. The only thing memorable was his penchant for practical jokes. And when his reawakening kicks in, everyone keeps saying this word "lovely" as response to his roundabout way of displaying not actual kindness but rather basic decency.
This show feels like an ode to Gervais due to how much of him there is while not enough actual character. Because it also has the characteristics of a stand up routine I can't get angered by it, but other than the occasional chuckle, I can't take it serious or praise it either. Which is not a problem given how the supporting characters do that last part for me.
A cynic doesn't partake so easily in the behaviour he/she is contemptuous of. That's a hypocrite. Also occasional bouts of consideration don't make up for long stretches of cruelty. And finally coarse humour isn't optimal when broaching the subject of love in a philosophical manner. But I guess, none of this matters as once again using insults at the drop of a hat secures an outrageous rating for such a superficial comedy/drama.
Most of the other characters in the show have their flaws exaggerated to caricature levels to make the protagonist seem more impressive. They are almost exclusively lined up to get knocked down sometimes by cruel, cheap shots. Like the go to ammunition for the men in the protagonist's crosshairs is "loser" (usually implied) while for the women it's "loose" (can't reproduce the actual word but it's used repeatedly). Tragic lack of imagination. And the dis fest expands its scope making victims even in the ranks of people that are not actually harmful but trendy to bash such as horoscope followers or feminists.
There is the "good guy" version of our main character shown through the videos recorded while enjoying happy times with his wife. We are repeatedly reminded how "lovely" he was but there is not much to back that up. The only thing memorable was his penchant for practical jokes. And when his reawakening kicks in, everyone keeps saying this word "lovely" as response to his roundabout way of displaying not actual kindness but rather basic decency.
This show feels like an ode to Gervais due to how much of him there is while not enough actual character. Because it also has the characteristics of a stand up routine I can't get angered by it, but other than the occasional chuckle, I can't take it serious or praise it either. Which is not a problem given how the supporting characters do that last part for me.
A cynic doesn't partake so easily in the behaviour he/she is contemptuous of. That's a hypocrite. Also occasional bouts of consideration don't make up for long stretches of cruelty. And finally coarse humour isn't optimal when broaching the subject of love in a philosophical manner. But I guess, none of this matters as once again using insults at the drop of a hat secures an outrageous rating for such a superficial comedy/drama.