MoodyComedy

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

TV Review: Fleabag, Series 2

May 29, 2019 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

The second series of Fleabag, in a similar tradition to the first, is a heartbreaking portrayal of the complexities of family. It shows a repressed group of individuals, some bound by blood, others marriage, who don’t say what they mean and won’t admit what they feel to themselves or to each other. The viewer can understand why they all can’t stand each other, but that doesn’t make it any easier viewing.

Each character has repulsive aspects on the surface, with their sincere, human-like aspects being somewhat hidden deeper down. Fleabag herself is gangly, awkward and sly. She always says the thing that nobody wants to hear (whether that be regarding miscarriage, anal sex, or death). In other words, she is a liability. But deep down, she just wants to be loved and to love. The issue is that she’s surrounded by people who can’t quite work her out.

© BBC

Despite being forever unsupported by those around her, Fleabag is the most supportive of her family and friends. She lets her sister steal her jokes, and even covers up her miscarriage for her. This genuine, heartfelt kindness emerges in glistening flashes throughout this second series, often taking viewers off guard. In between the unbearably awkward silences and instances of morally questionable behaviour, there is a softness that shines through.

The intense orchestral strings give Fleabag haunting theatrics, building the tension that is already on a knife edge. This aids the religious subtext well, presenting a tense, sexual backdrop to the will-they-won’t-they relationship between our protagonist and the hot catholic priest. The religious influence takes the series into a somewhat unexpected direction, and the question of whether Fleabag is a victim in this situation is an interesting one to consider. Is this love? Or is this emotional manipulation, control and exploitation?

The unanswered questions, I think, only add to the complexity of Fleabag and the way in which it depicts the protagonists relationship with herself and those in her life.

Fleabag is a beautiful and rather tragic take on how one individual struggles to understand and rationalise her own repressed pain. It is subtle, intricate and bitterly funny.

FLEABAG IS AVAILABLE ON BBC iPLAYER

Posted in: Comedians, Television Shows Tagged: Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge

TV Review: Fleabag, Series 1

August 27, 2016 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

At first glance BBC Three’s new sitcom Fleabag may give the illusion of being like any other modern day sitcom. A young, attractive but troubled lead with a turbulent love life, an uptight sister and a struggling small business; what more could writer and ‘Fleabag’ Phoebe Waller-Bridge bring to the table? But within the first episode the narrative is already swept in an interesting direction, with the suggestion of darker aspects to this person’s life than one might previously have assumed.

Beginning life as a one-woman Edinburgh show in 2013, Fleabag is a confessional tale of a young woman trying to succeed in her relationships, business ventures and in herself, but desperately treading water. Waller-Bridge’s writing is rude and provocative but refreshingly open and self-deprecating. Yes it is dark, and heavy at times, but this sitcom is undoubtedly really funny. The production itself is artistically daring in places, with dream and flashback sequences packing particular punch. And the coy looks to camera are a welcome release of tension for viewers, with Waller-Bridge’s knowing eye drawing us in for personal in-jokes that teach us more about her character, rather than serve as cheap laughs.

© BBC

© BBC

And the cast is not to be scoffed at either, with W1A‘s Hugh Skinner playing Fleabag’s intermittent boyfriend as well as Hugh Dennis as unsupportive bank manager and Olivia Colman as somewhat self-entitled step-mum. The small group of core characters are diversely peculiar, with each of their stresses manifesting in traits such as a limitation to the fluidity of their social skills or an avoidance of adult responsibilities.

There are plenty of laugh out loud moments provided by our star, drawn from her highly socially inappropriate sense of humour and an apparently uncontrollable mouth. But the issue at the heart of this unsettling comedy is one of great personal loss; whether that be the ongoing pain of having her mother die when she was young or the recent shock of losing her best friend in a horrific incident, Fleabag is coming to terms with her status in the world, and within her own disjointed family.

Fleabag is almost a comedy of errors; it is a narrative of social nonconformity: a depiction of a young woman struggling to accept herself, apparently terrified of real affection. Our almost-tragic lead is the receiver of everyone’s sympathy but does not often receive any genuine care. Disjointed, snappy and vibrant, Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag establishes itself very quickly before evolving into something else entirely; there are numerous moments in this programme that are absolutely exquisite.

FLEABAG IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON BBC IPLAYER

Posted in: Comedians, Television Shows Tagged: British Comedy, Comedy, Fleabag, Hugh Dennis, Hugh Skinner, Olivia Colman, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sitcom

Tweets by @moodycomedy

Categories

  • Ask The Expert
  • Books
  • Comedian Of The Month
  • Comedians
  • Comedy Catch Up
  • Comedy Circle
  • Edinburgh
  • Films
  • Interviews
  • Live Comedy
  • News
  • Podcasts
  • Previews
  • Quarantine Questions
  • Radio
  • Reviews
  • Revisited
  • Seven Questions With…
  • Television Shows
  • Top 5 Moments
  • Uncategorized
  • Web Series

Recent Posts

  • Step into the surreal with Vic Reeves Big Night Out
  • Interview: Johnny White Really-Really (Lunchwatch
  • Interview: Zoe Tomalin and Charlie Dinkin (SeanceCast)
  • Podcast Picks: Cuddle Club
  • Interview: Kevin James Doyle, The 30 Year Old Virgin

Archives

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: There is no connected account for the user 1911812777 Feed will not update.

Copyright © 2022 MoodyComedy.

Omega WordPress Theme by ThemeHall