Monday 26 June 2017

A rare find

I was a bit late to the party with Detectorists. It's a comedy drama (or dramedy, or whatever the latest buzzwordy contraction might be) written by, and starring, Mackenzie Crook. Yes, him - forever Gareth from The Office. I'm paraphrasing Wikipedia now, but Detectorists is set in small fictional Essex town of Danebury and concerns the lives, loves and detecting ambitions of Andy and Lance, and the Danebury Metal Detecting Club (or DMDC, as it is known). First shown on BBC4 in 2014, the third and final series is imminent - in readiness, the Beeb are repeating the first two series on Tuesdays, still on BBC4. They've worked through the first series already (though you can still watch two thirds of that on the iPlayer) and series two episode one is on tomorrow.

So why watch, you ask? It's a low-key "drama that leans towards comedy" (Crook's own words), with no laugh track, is ostensibly about metal detecting obsessives ("detectorists!") and is, presumably, tucked away on BBC4 for a reason, right? Wrong! This is a rare blend of gentle, well-observed comedy and precise pathos, which would ordinarily be enough to recommend it on its own. But there's more, because fundamentally the show is about friendship and, in particular, the inverted, forever-young, own-language landscape of best mates. Metal detecting is incidental - the show could equally well be about a chess club or a five-a-side team or motorcycle enthusiasts or old school friends, or anything, just as long as there is something to bring the protagonists together and provide a common bond. For that bond, that special friendship, where you would lie down in traffic for your mate if he asked you to, is what the show is really about, and what elevates it to a higher level. Andy and Lance are best mates, and we get to ride the bow wave of their friendship, and think about our own best mates too.

Here's an example of just why I love this show so much, and it'll also work as a barometer for you: if you like the reason for, and execution of, the fist-bump moment about nineteen seconds into this clip, from series one episode two, then there's a very good chance you'll enjoy the programme as a whole and you'd best get over to the iPlayer quick smart before more episodes expire. If you don't, well, maybe this isn't for you. Either way, there are +4 kudos points on offer if you can ID the source of that lie down in traffic quote I misquoted in the last para without Googling it (clue: it's not from Detectorists).

10 comments:

  1. One of the best things I've seen in years. I watched it back-to-front (second series first). But either way, it's priceless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Priceless is an apt adjective. And welcome to another Martin!

      Delete
  2. Oh YESSS, Detctorists is just glorious! I too was late to the party, kept reading recommendations the first time it was shown but somehow kept missing it, so was really pleased when they decided to repeat it. I tuned in with great excitement, hoping, with just that little bit of apprehension in case not, that it would be as good as I'd been led to believe. It was even better. It's been the highlight of my last few weeks. The mix of comedy and pathos, its 'quietness' as opposed to comedies which are all bells-and-whistles and action-packed, and its pace which seems slow and yet when it's over you wonder where on earth that half hour went. Add to that the lovely mix of characters, the blend of them seeming very real and relatable in some ways (Andy and Becky) yet surreal in others (Terry's wife Sheila!), the beautiful cinematography.... well I could go on... but you've already summed it up so well.
    Must just add that the scenery does it for me too as it was filmed not far from where I live so there is much familiarity about it and I can smell that air! Oh and I'm a little bit in love with Larry Bishop for reasons I simply cannot fathom.
    I'm so looking forward to series 2 tomorrow and the third one when it's shown.
    Can't place your quote, though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello again C. You're right to give the scenery and cinematography a nod; the former is beautiful and the latter is beautifully conceived and executed.

      As for the quote...no kudos points for you then! Guess I haven't helped by misquoting it. Would you be interested in a clue?

      Delete
    2. Yes please... though I'm not v good at these things so not hopeful!

      Delete
    3. Okay, so... The words were spoken by Robin Williams in an award-winning performance.

      Delete
    4. Oh, films.. I'm not good with quotes from films.. I might've been ok it was Withnail & I, Quadrophenia, Spinal Tap, but I'm afraid had to Google this one, and I've not seen it - although now I'm thinking I probably should!

      Delete
    5. It's a good film, with plenty of excellent dialogue, and certainly worth a watch. And oh, Quadrophenia! One of my absolute favourites, any time, any genre!

      Delete
  3. Marvellous programme. I had no idea that a third series was imminent, great news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is! But also the final series, which is less great.

      Delete