What a delightful comedy of manners!
It's far more genteel than many TV comedies of the 1980s-onwards.
Rather than a classic sitcom with punchlines aplenty, it gently observes the needs and desires of the characters.
The comedy element explores the problems of the executive class in Britain. And many of the lifestyle choices are as relevant now as they were back in 1989-1990 !
It's a polite way of smiling at the middle class and their stresses.
The programme's approach is to be friendly towards the two protagonists, rather than critical. The viewers sympathise with the characters' concerns. It's a warm and pleasant series to watch.
Note: it's a consecutive series, where each episode has a storyline that follows on from the week before. (Rather than each episode having a stand-alone plot, as per many sitcoms.) So it's best to watch the drama in the order the episodes were originally released.
Its stars are two stalwarts of British comedy. Peter Egan is, as ever, faultless. And Hannah Gordon brings an elegant style. The two actors play off each other well, in a humorous pairing.
John Bird's character is a refreshing negative influence on the drama, a bit of humorous darkness thrown on the likeable duo. He's the 'colleague one loves to hate'. And Bird makes me chuckle in every scene he plays.
There is just enough wit in the script to make the viewer smile, but enough pathos to make you believe the characters are true to life.
The series is well worth a watch if you want to enjoy a comedy that provides a more in-depth dramatization, rather than broad humour. In this series there is far more on offer than just a chortle every minute.
