Ricky Gervais, After Life
After Life 2 dropped into our watchlists last week and Getintothis’ Lewis Ridley tuned in and dropped out to find himself enjoying the return of Tony and co and his report below may include spoilers.
The second series of Ricky Gervais’ dark comedy After Life 2 arrived on Netflix after much anticipation last Sunday.
The story of a widowed local newspaper reporter, brought back from suicide only by the need to feed his dog, who in series one set out on a mission to piss as many people off as possible.
The first run was received, in most parts, with high acclaim, as one of the most popular comic personalities in the UK right now added to his extensive list of filmography.
Where series one excelled in outrageousness, though, series two instead moves to the heartstrings as we see the development of Tony Johnson‘s grief aided by lasting advice from his late wife Lisa and his fellow widow Penelope.
The cafe next to the office of the local paper Tony spends his days takes centre stage as he has heart-wrenching conversations with young reporter Sandy and colleague Kath.
Gervais stops the show in its track to offer realistic depictions of public grief, which do more than ground the plot amongst the laughs.
Indeed, After Life 2 focuses more on the lead character trying to regain a sort of equilibrium.
Where in the first series Tony has abandoned hope and was on a one-man mission of recklessness, here, he is coming to terms with a different method of dealing with his loss.
He finds instead that kindness can be a tonic, and at times After Life 2 feels almost fabled.
There are very honest conversations, none more so than with Penelope, that prompt him to rethink his attitudes towards the likes of Postman Pat and his new lover.
Just binged series 2 of #AfterLife … I’m now chronically dehydrated from the amount of crying I’ve done!
Utterly beautiful bit of TV 👏 pic.twitter.com/G6iLgtm354— Storm Huntley (@StormHuntley) April 25, 2020
The big laughs remain, though, and conversations between paper boss Tim and the world’s worth therapist are pure hilarity.
A boys night out scene dips into the outrageous, and Gervais places us in the eyes of Tony, the onlooker desperate for an exit.
In all, After Life appears as a very honest work.
When appearing in promotion of the series, Ricky Gervais gives the impression this character is a representation of what he truly feels.
Paul Kaye as the psychologist, absolute stealing the show in After Life season 2 on Netflix #afterlifeseason2 #AfterLife2 pic.twitter.com/oEQ9uvBFN8
— Asa Elliott (@asaelliott) April 25, 2020
There are elements of shock humour, and Tony has a similar disregard for the politically correct or the easily offended as Gervais himself does.
Again, there are few artists for which their work is an extension of themselves rather than separate from their own persona.
But perhaps the series is best summed up in one scene in the penultimate episode when, as if flicking a switch, Gervais turns from the ridiculously funny to the heartbreakingly sad in seconds.
Gervais is amongst limited company in terms of writers that have such a grip on the ability to change the mood so quickly.
Another superb cameo and outtake from #AfterLife2 😂 pic.twitter.com/zDY9eJfw7o
— After Life (@AfterLife_Fans) May 10, 2020
How difficult it must be to find the balance of comedy and sheer sadness. Afterlife 2 is absolutely sensational and accurate to every day life . Bravo @rickygervais . The most consistent performer of this generation. 👏
— Kugan Cassius (@KuganCassius) April 25, 2020
In six short episodes, After Life 2 is an emotional rollercoaster and a work for which those behind it should be commended.
- Netflix have confirmed that After Life will return for a third series.
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