Derek

I find a lot of Ricky Gervais work hard to watch.  I think he deliberately makes the viewer as uncomfortable as possible, amplifying the very traits we as humans do not wish to see in ourselves.  That is why I was so trepidatious about watching 'Derek'.  I had heard a lot of talk when it was first released in the UK and it seemed a lot of people made assumptions as to whether Mr. Gervais was taking the piss out of developmentally challenged individuals.  Many people thought that he was mocking those with autism.  Of course, the majority of people making these assumptions had yet to even view a single episode so I tried to keep an open mind.   Now I have a daughter with autism so I was not sure how this was going to go.  Do I really need to go out of my way to get riled up?  Would watching someone who has made me uncomfortable in the past take on autism really be the best use of my time? I can get riled up in a million different ways every day, I do not need to go seek out additional ways!

But watch it I did.  If, in fact, Derek is supposed to be autistic (which is not confirmed or denied) then I am more than happy with how he is portrayed.  I cannot talk highly enough about this series.  It is everything good television should be.  Every episode has made me laugh out loud and then cry gentle tears.  I have actually cheered at the top of my voice.  It is mind boggling how awesome this show is. Ricky Gervais has created a world that shows how little we regard our elders and how the fortunate few who choose to work with them to nurse them and care for then are the people we should revere.

The cast is amazing but for me Karl Pilkington stands out.  If you have ever seen his work on 'An Idiot Abroad' (and if you haven't, please check it out, that show is absolutely hysterical), his portrayal here will be an absolute revelation.  He seems to be the voice of reason in a mad mad world and says the things I know I would want to say.  He plays the part with such measure and is never a caricature. There are scenes where he has actually made me stand up and cheer.  I love him!

There is so much crap on television and so much guff.  We seem to celebrate reality stars whose only contribution to the world seems to be sex tapes and the ability to be as dumb as a post.  This show will restore your faith in humanity (and television).   Oh, and Ricky Gervais is just a frigging genius.  Case closed!

Derek is available to stream on Netflix.  As there are only 7 episodes, I tried really hard not to binge watch!  I managed to spread ten out over the course of a week.  Also, filming on season 2 started this week.

Remember, Kindness is Magic!