A soft gentle comedy. In an era of 3 second cuts I once counted a 45 second panning shot, as I said a gentle comedy and the real gold the characters find whilst out detecting is an easy friendship
The Detectorists was just so good, one of the most underated comedies for years. I suppose they were right to call it a day, but it will be missed. Your review summed it up very well.
I'm so glad you get it. Americans have a reputation of wanting crass, obvious comedy with every line a punch line, every slammed door a laugh. But that's just what you're fed; we all have the same humour. Detectorists is such a warm, loving, layered show. It's human.
I was a little late to the party. I watched all 3 series and the specials back to back.. Then I went back to the beginning and watched them again... Then again.. Yes it was that good.. For a quiet show theirs some much going on and so much you miss in one sitting..
Thank you for a very well observed review of a brilliant set of programmes. They are not split your sides, break a rib laughing comedies. They are better than that. Closer to true life, and the better for being so.
Every single character is so realistic and every actor plays there rolls to perfection. This is a comedy that gets it right in every way. Love the subtle long running jokes. Brilliant
You'll never change the perception of ignorant people, like this guy, that you have to be a geek to have any hobby like this. It's probably better to just accept such ignorance is rife.
Though its title corals the person into a subject matter of a select audience this review is spot on and the people maketh the show and the show was a gem. Easily the best BBC comedy in thirty years.
A wonderful example of what can be achieved when the creative process isn't interfered with. McKenzie Crook's writing and directing give this show a soul that's often missing when those tasks are parcelled out to hired hands.
I'm trying to find something exploring the symbolism, Easter eggs and 'things you missed' on the Detectorists. There is so much of it in the show and I'm not smart enough to work it all out.
Sounds promising Jesse. Can you let him know that it's one of the most beautifully filmed (lighting and camera work is often sublime and the resting shots a whole other level), directed, understated and best ensemble pieces that I've seen for many a year. It should very easily pass the test of time and be mentioned in the same sentence as Fawlty Towers and yes Breaking Bad, but for radically different reasons.
Your assessment of detectorists is ridiculous. Why people assume anyone who has a hobby like this must be some sort of social misfit and geek, I just don't know. We're normal people with an interest in history. We have wives, girlfriends and friends, including pals outside of the hobby. MacKenzie made the characters quirky because quirky is funny (and 'normal' is boring), not because he thinks all detectorists are weirdos (I assume you know he is a detectorist himself - and happily married rather than a loner, just like his character in the show!). Since your perception of 'weirdos' happens to include the two ladies in a lesbian relationship - who are peripheral characters and actually come across as being pretty normal in the show - I would suggest you are on very dodgy ground with that assessment anyway.
I think he was talking about perception, mate. Folks with a passion for something: bird-watching, wild-camping, fell-walking, metal detecting, magnet fishing, comic book collecting, train spotting, war-gaming, historical re-enactment, bush-crafting etc, which fall outside of the norm, are often perceived as weird. Whereas, we all know that the weirdest people are those who think they are not weird. Which now sounds like you, unfortunately.
@@graceygrumble No he wasn't. He says near the beginning that it would have been 'easy' for McKenzie to have mocked the main characters because metal detecting is for "lonely guys who like electronic equipment and finding buttons..." That is a pretty clear statement, mate. It is ignorant, inaccurate, naive and insulting. He didn't say 'perceived' - if he had done so he'd have got away with it. You used that word, not him but then you are as bad as he is, since you have now branded me 'weird' when you know nothing about me.
@@Wally-H I think you were far too literal in your interpretation of what he said, considering his tone, thereafter. Even if he did mean it exactly how you interpreted it - which I doubt, but you might be right - why would you take umbrage so vociferously? You said the characters were 'quirky'; I'd say they are utterly recognisable, normal people (normal people all have their quirks) - apart from the farmer and he's not a detectorist - which is why this programme is so relatable and enjoyable. We're all weird, hobbies or no hobbies (although, the latter is 'really' weird, imo), so cheer up and don't be so thin-skinned. I offended you with my initial response and for that I apologise. I hope there's no hard feelings.
@The Jayster. You're exactly correct, and the 'you're taking it too literally' replies you have received were only too predictable. He states at the beginning, 'there's something inherently pathetic about metal detecting'. He said it, and he didn't mean that it was perceived that way by some, but is obviously his own personal opinion.
The fact that you state that there's something inherently pathetic about metal detecting only proves you know nothing about the aim of the show or metal detecting, whose finds have been some of the most revelatory and historic - e.g. i.e. the Staffordshire Hoard, to name but one of many. Your view of metal detecting is certainly not one shared by the show's star and creator, Mackenzie Crook, who himself goes metal detecting. The show is very much culture based, whose nuances you obviously just don't get.
The greatest programme ever, full stop.
i would love another series
A soft gentle comedy. In an era of 3 second cuts I once counted a 45 second panning shot, as I said a gentle comedy and the real gold the characters find whilst out detecting is an easy friendship
The Detectorists was just so good, one of the most underated comedies for years. I suppose they were right to call it a day, but it will be missed. Your review summed it up very well.
I'm so glad you get it. Americans have a reputation of wanting crass, obvious comedy with every line a punch line, every slammed door a laugh. But that's just what you're fed; we all have the same humour.
Detectorists is such a warm, loving, layered show. It's human.
American here. This is my favorite show ever. It is perfection.
Just discovered this show on Netflix.
Fallen in love with it.
It's glorious. 👍
I was a little late to the party. I watched all 3 series and the specials back to back.. Then I went back to the beginning and watched them again... Then again.. Yes it was that good.. For a quiet show theirs some much going on and so much you miss in one sitting..
I am a detectorist...Love the hobby...loved the program.
What do you think of this guy's assessment that we are all weirdos, loners and geeks?
just catching all the series i dont know how i missed when it screened
One of the best TV shows ever made imo.
Correction, Gareth is not the English version of Dwight, Dwight is the American version of Gareth!
Thank you for a very well observed review of a brilliant set of programmes. They are not split your sides, break a rib laughing comedies. They are better than that. Closer to true life, and the better for being so.
Every single character is so realistic and every actor plays there rolls to perfection. This is a comedy that gets it right in every way. Love the subtle long running jokes. Brilliant
Im a detectorist its not a sad hobby better than
Drinking and commiting crime
You'll never change the perception of ignorant people, like this guy, that you have to be a geek to have any hobby like this. It's probably better to just accept such ignorance is rife.
I just watched the series again - magnificent!
Brilliantly written
Great programme,one of the best ever.
A wonderful gentle comedy , one of the very best 😎
One of the best reviews I've ever seen.
Ditto. Jesse Thorn gets it.
He never said that the original plan was to mock. He NEVER said that. He said that people expected that.
Though its title corals the person into a subject matter of a select audience this review is spot on and the people maketh the show and the show was a gem. Easily the best BBC comedy in thirty years.
A wonderful example of what can be achieved when the creative process isn't interfered with.
McKenzie Crook's writing and directing give this show a soul that's often missing when those tasks are parcelled out to hired hands.
Lovely summary. Always good to hear what people think across the pond
A bit of peace in a peaceless world. Great show, great review, thanks.
Nicely told, Brill program 👏👏 That was a luvly see with the hawk wise, well writing and nice music
Not a show,a life event.
Loved the programme and loved the review
Congratulations, you "get it". Great review. Your reward : Honorary Brit.
Wonderful show!
There's hope for America yet
Beautiful review
Great review
Fab.
I'm trying to find something exploring the symbolism, Easter eggs and 'things you missed' on the Detectorists. There is so much of it in the show and I'm not smart enough to work it all out.
It was only on a second viewing I noticed the Simon and Garfunkel-esque guitar bits that accompany each appearance of Art and Paul
Did you notice that Simon and Garfunkel’s real surnames in the programme are Peters and Lee? Another famous pop duo :)
I hope Mackenzie Crook gets to listen to your review, as yes you get it.
He did! We talked to him for this week's episode. Stay tuned!
Sounds promising Jesse. Can you let him know that it's one of the most beautifully filmed (lighting and camera work is often sublime and the resting shots a whole other level), directed, understated and best ensemble pieces that I've seen for many a year. It should very easily pass the test of time and be mentioned in the same sentence as Fawlty Towers and yes Breaking Bad, but for radically different reasons.
Pub
Pub
Go on then.
Go on, then
Your assessment of detectorists is ridiculous. Why people assume anyone who has a hobby like this must be some sort of social misfit and geek, I just don't know. We're normal people with an interest in history. We have wives, girlfriends and friends, including pals outside of the hobby. MacKenzie made the characters quirky because quirky is funny (and 'normal' is boring), not because he thinks all detectorists are weirdos (I assume you know he is a detectorist himself - and happily married rather than a loner, just like his character in the show!). Since your perception of 'weirdos' happens to include the two ladies in a lesbian relationship - who are peripheral characters and actually come across as being pretty normal in the show - I would suggest you are on very dodgy ground with that assessment anyway.
I think he was talking about perception, mate. Folks with a passion for something: bird-watching, wild-camping, fell-walking, metal detecting, magnet fishing, comic book collecting, train spotting, war-gaming, historical re-enactment, bush-crafting etc, which fall outside of the norm, are often perceived as weird.
Whereas, we all know that the weirdest people are those who think they are not weird. Which now sounds like you, unfortunately.
@@graceygrumble No he wasn't. He says near the beginning that it would have been 'easy' for McKenzie to have mocked the main characters because metal detecting is for "lonely guys who like electronic equipment and finding buttons..." That is a pretty clear statement, mate. It is ignorant, inaccurate, naive and insulting. He didn't say 'perceived' - if he had done so he'd have got away with it. You used that word, not him but then you are as bad as he is, since you have now branded me 'weird' when you know nothing about me.
@@Wally-H I think you were far too literal in your interpretation of what he said, considering his tone, thereafter.
Even if he did mean it exactly how you interpreted it - which I doubt, but you might be right - why would you take umbrage so vociferously?
You said the characters were 'quirky'; I'd say they are utterly recognisable, normal people (normal people all have their quirks) - apart from the farmer and he's not a detectorist - which is why this programme is so relatable and enjoyable.
We're all weird, hobbies or no hobbies (although, the latter is 'really' weird, imo), so cheer up and don't be so thin-skinned.
I offended you with my initial response and for that I apologise. I hope there's no hard feelings.
@The Jayster. You're exactly correct, and the 'you're taking it too literally' replies you have received were only too predictable. He states at the beginning, 'there's something inherently pathetic about metal detecting'. He said it, and he didn't mean that it was perceived that way by some, but is obviously his own personal opinion.
@@joeblack8915 Spot on.
mckenzie crooks best film is 'the sex lives of the potato men', hated by prudes the world over
The fact that you state that there's something inherently pathetic about metal detecting only proves you know nothing about the aim of the show or metal detecting, whose finds have been some of the most revelatory and historic - e.g. i.e. the Staffordshire Hoard, to name but one of many. Your view of metal detecting is certainly not one shared by the show's star and creator, Mackenzie Crook, who himself goes metal detecting. The show is very much culture based, whose nuances you obviously just don't get.