DrapedInDarkness
Distinguished Member
Rather than keep creating threads for shows I am currently watching or rewatching I will just update the title in this thread whenever I start a new series.
This week I was off work and devoured Ever Decreasing Circles - The Complete Series.
I can honestly say that my memory has betrayed me with great shows reduced to poorly paced and poorly written drivel when watched many many years later, this was not the case with this show.
Right from the starting episode the characters are so perfectly (flawed in some cases) written and acted that warming to them is nigh on impossible to resist, and best of all it is still incredibly funny with plenty of little smirking to myself moments and just as many laugh out loud moments too.
Richard Briers is a criminally underrated comedy genius and I don't think he ever bettered Martin Bryce and his many personality flaws; while Penelope Wilton as his long suffering wife Ann is played with the right amount of grace and desperate need for attention.
Added to the mix are the Hughes, Howard and Hilda who are in their own way just as flawed as Martin but have an unshakable love and trust in each other that gets them through everything life and Martin can throw at them.
Lastly we have new neighbour Paul Ryman played expertly by Peter Egan, who could in other hands have come across as smarmy and unlikeable but with Egan playing the role he comes across as a genuinely nice guy who just happens to have a lot of mates in high places.
The chemistry between the cast is obvious throughout and especially between Martin and Paul despite Martins belief that Paul is stealing all the glory away from him as the go to guy for just about every situation.
The essential episode to watch for comedy perfection is in series 2 "Housework" where Ann has to have a minor operation and Martin assures her that he can manage to take over all of the housework as she overstates how hard it is, naturally it starts well and soon descends into disaster, to say more would be to rob you of one of televisions funniest half hours.
This week I was off work and devoured Ever Decreasing Circles - The Complete Series.
I can honestly say that my memory has betrayed me with great shows reduced to poorly paced and poorly written drivel when watched many many years later, this was not the case with this show.
Right from the starting episode the characters are so perfectly (flawed in some cases) written and acted that warming to them is nigh on impossible to resist, and best of all it is still incredibly funny with plenty of little smirking to myself moments and just as many laugh out loud moments too.
Richard Briers is a criminally underrated comedy genius and I don't think he ever bettered Martin Bryce and his many personality flaws; while Penelope Wilton as his long suffering wife Ann is played with the right amount of grace and desperate need for attention.
Added to the mix are the Hughes, Howard and Hilda who are in their own way just as flawed as Martin but have an unshakable love and trust in each other that gets them through everything life and Martin can throw at them.
Lastly we have new neighbour Paul Ryman played expertly by Peter Egan, who could in other hands have come across as smarmy and unlikeable but with Egan playing the role he comes across as a genuinely nice guy who just happens to have a lot of mates in high places.
The chemistry between the cast is obvious throughout and especially between Martin and Paul despite Martins belief that Paul is stealing all the glory away from him as the go to guy for just about every situation.
The essential episode to watch for comedy perfection is in series 2 "Housework" where Ann has to have a minor operation and Martin assures her that he can manage to take over all of the housework as she overstates how hard it is, naturally it starts well and soon descends into disaster, to say more would be to rob you of one of televisions funniest half hours.