Why is it that a lot of TV shows that make it big in the U. K. never reach us here across the pond? It may be because a lot of the U. K. shows are very British and steeped in that culture, so it wouldn't even appeal to us. It could also be because a lot of them are not ratings juggernauts and the local providers here in Denmark don't want to show them. However, with the rise of streaming, it seems like new homes have been found for some of those smaller shows, and I'm sure that if Prime Video hadn't existed today, then it's unlikely that this show would have had a big release outside of the U. K. But with that said, Prime Video did decide to pick up "Fleabag" for foreign distribution, and good on them, because this show has proven to be a huge success and still draws new viewers even years after its run has ended. It was originally developed from a one-woman show that Phoebe Waller-Bridge had performed at an arts festival, and it then became this huge success, which doesn't only touch on a lot of everyday problems, but it also deals with the issues that we don't like to talk about. This premiere is one of the most functional premieres I've ever seen, because it so beautifully captures the character of its focus, and the overall premise and themes of loneliness and desire in such a perfect way that it can only go down from here.
First of all, let's talk about how this show is hilarious, yet super dark. It uses its awkwardness as an advantage when it comes to its comedy, and Tim Kirkby is a magician with those pauses, sucking all the laughs he can out of it. At the same time, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing is so meticulous and precise that she knows perfectly well how to get her characters into those uncomfortable situations and make them funny. It's an awesome gift that she uses at her moment she can, in a gag that manages to never feel old or get tiresome.
However, underneath the covers is a very dark show that deals with depression and loneliness. Fleabag is a very lonely character desperately wanting someone she can connect with, which is why she goes through life with a lot of lovers, even trying to pick up a complete stranger on the side of the road. When she tries to talk to her family about it, they don't show a lot of support, which never helps anything. It's so wonderfully done and so subtly that it never takes away from the comedy, but only adds to the layers of this structured show.
It has a slew of interesting characters, but it never forgets its main focus on Fleabag. This is a character study of someone with a lot of pain who tries to put on a happy face to hide all of that. There's a lot to be discovered about her character, and the ending of the episode tells the audience everything they need to know about Fleabag and what her colors are. It's a beautiful ending that feels very tragicomedy, but sets up the show in beautiful fashion and teases what's going to come down the line for her and her family.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge doesn't only excel as a writer, but her acting is superb as well. She can keep a smile for just a little too long, making it very uncomfortable but getting the belly laughs out in a rush. She's so perfectly cut out for this character, and uses her excellent pitch to bring soul and depth to Fleabag. The single scene we saw of Olivia Colman also sets up a lot of tension between the two, but if there ever was a piece of perfect casting for anything, it would be Colman's selection for this awfully loathing character.
This is the kind of excellence we need to see on TV, and if "Episode 1" indicates the direction of this show, I can't wait. It's a tragicomedy at its purest, and both elements complement the intense layers of this show, bringing a very unique and refreshing take to the fun sitcom premise we often see.
First of all, let's talk about how this show is hilarious, yet super dark. It uses its awkwardness as an advantage when it comes to its comedy, and Tim Kirkby is a magician with those pauses, sucking all the laughs he can out of it. At the same time, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing is so meticulous and precise that she knows perfectly well how to get her characters into those uncomfortable situations and make them funny. It's an awesome gift that she uses at her moment she can, in a gag that manages to never feel old or get tiresome.
However, underneath the covers is a very dark show that deals with depression and loneliness. Fleabag is a very lonely character desperately wanting someone she can connect with, which is why she goes through life with a lot of lovers, even trying to pick up a complete stranger on the side of the road. When she tries to talk to her family about it, they don't show a lot of support, which never helps anything. It's so wonderfully done and so subtly that it never takes away from the comedy, but only adds to the layers of this structured show.
It has a slew of interesting characters, but it never forgets its main focus on Fleabag. This is a character study of someone with a lot of pain who tries to put on a happy face to hide all of that. There's a lot to be discovered about her character, and the ending of the episode tells the audience everything they need to know about Fleabag and what her colors are. It's a beautiful ending that feels very tragicomedy, but sets up the show in beautiful fashion and teases what's going to come down the line for her and her family.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge doesn't only excel as a writer, but her acting is superb as well. She can keep a smile for just a little too long, making it very uncomfortable but getting the belly laughs out in a rush. She's so perfectly cut out for this character, and uses her excellent pitch to bring soul and depth to Fleabag. The single scene we saw of Olivia Colman also sets up a lot of tension between the two, but if there ever was a piece of perfect casting for anything, it would be Colman's selection for this awfully loathing character.
This is the kind of excellence we need to see on TV, and if "Episode 1" indicates the direction of this show, I can't wait. It's a tragicomedy at its purest, and both elements complement the intense layers of this show, bringing a very unique and refreshing take to the fun sitcom premise we often see.