Back

The writing is satisfyingly excellent. Dark humour, much as with peep show, causes that pleasingly awful cringe. Where this differs is that the tension arches its back from the first episode to the last, like a malevolent cat performing a tickle stretch.

The level of observational comedy in this is so consistent, I begin to wonder if the writers discovered an unwritten diary of mine labelled "things I half-noticed, but neither properly analysed, nor was diligent enough to write down."

As for the compelling darkness, "Back" opens out intrigues to outdo much "serious" TV drama. These are the shadows of comedy - a perspective on real lives that can handle being pushed into caricature.

One of the best things I've seen on TV.

First episodes are always tricky for sitcoms and with a lot of setting up to do and a fairly large cast to introduce, it can bring immediate criticism before even given a chance for the story to evolve properly, which is unfair especially for a show with so much potential as this one. I thought it was brilliant, laughed loudly for the most part of it and smiled the entire time... and that's what sitcoms are about. This one hit the nail on the head for me and I'm looking forward the next episodes.

The main thing to note is if you don't like dry and dark humour that doesn't stop to give you time to process and signal that yes, that was a joke, then you will hate this.

There is a prominent Mitchell and Webb vibe from the show. But it definitely differs in tone somewhat from Peep Show and their various sketch shows. Personally I found this incarnation less appealing than those previous works, but there is no real reason why someone couldn't enjoy this more, it's just a matter of taste.

Overall if you are a fan of the duo then you will probably enjoy this, I think the only thing it lacks is a likeability factor with the mains. You never connect with them properly and there is no mechanism this time to falicitate this despite their apparent dislikablilty. I thought you were supposed to mellow out in your old age as a comedian, not get bleaker!

When the Peep shows long run finally came to an end. It also meant the best sitcom of the last decade ended too. So it's great to the shows two stars Robert Webb and David Mitchell back together in this new comedy. People will argue there characters are the same as in the Peep Show. David something of a failure hopeless with women. Robert equally abject but always able to blag his way through life and with ladies. For me I don't care it's great to see them together in this very funny show. If like me you've been missing the Peep Show then Back will at least fill the void. 9/10

It definitely takes a couple of episodes to bed in, and for you to get the feel of it, but once you do, you will be well and truly hooked.

If you're expecting something similar to Peep show, forget it, this is an altogether different, and individual piece of work.

The one question you'll want the answer to, what exactly is David's game? What's he up to, and what is he after?

The humour is dark, it's bleak, but it is so deliciously satisfying throughout.

I love the characters, they're all great, Geoff is outrageous. I can't think of I've see Penny Downie in a comedy role before, but boy is she good.

I am so glad there's a second series.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, 9/10.