After the previous episode's The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge's departure from the norm writers, stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton offer us another with Cold Comfort. Rather than the novelty of the former stories' usual contemporary setting being substituted for a historical 17th Century Post English Revolutionary one, this latest offering confines itself predominantly within the offices of a Comfort Support Line. The neat yet simple premise revolves around Andy (Pemberton) commencing his first day as a volunteer with the center. It's one that proves to be more than he bargained for when he receives two particular calls from separate callers one of which is a teenage girl, seemingly driven to the brink of suicide. As the day progresses events take a steadily sinister turn as he becomes convinced he's the victim of a hoax phone call, one that's going to take an even more sinister twist than he might ever have imagined.
Grim, chilling with a somewhat poignant edge Cold Comfort is a perfect example of when for the majority of the story, a confined environment is utilized to sublime effect. Wittily written with excellently realized characterization amplified through the first-rate performances from a wonderful small cast and tight direction, it's not hard to find yourself being sucked into the drama as it unfolds. Steve Pemberton is ever reliable in the lead as the kindhearted protagonist attempting to cope with the pressures of his new job, not helped when things begin to go awry. He's Ably supported by Reece Shearsmith who gives a superbly cozy performance as his amiable supervisor George while further inspired support is on hand from veteran actress Jane Horrocks, giving an amusingly kooky portrayal of a fellow support worker. While there's a chilling air of uncertainty that permeates proceedings which we see via the p.o.v. Shot of a computer monitor that Andy is sitting in front of, it's deftly counter-balanced with some hilariously absurd humour as background events in the office run in parallel with the main narrative. A wonderful hook that gives the story its lighter edge without compromising its harsher one. A steadily growing sense of paranoia becomes palpable as we're drawn into the main lead's plight which builds to its neat pay-off, which while not the most shocking of denouements still left me pleasantly satisfied.
Although ultimately not one of the best of the stories that Pemberton and Shearsmith have yet to offer with the opening episode La Couchette being my current favorite at the moment, Cold Comfort still makes for a great way to waste an enjoyable half hour of your time. Although not quite as clever as it thinks it is, its novel set-up fails to quite live up to the early promise it might have had. I still never less look forward to next weeks offering with some enthusiasm.
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