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| Ricky Gervais adorning archetypical dark comedy Derek |
But has the contentious comedian's portrayal of autism and life through the viewing window of a more simple world gone a little too far?
Or, is the 'bittersweet' comedy characteristic Gervais comedy with an meaningful undertone more than just controversy?
Cast your vote at the bottom...
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| Ricky Gervais as Derek, stars alongside Idiot Abroad 'pal' Karl Pilkington playing Dougie (Channel 4) |
"Derek Noakes is a tender, innocent man whose love for his job and the people he cares for shines through," Channel 4 programme blurb.
Trailer:
Derek tells the endearing tales of an autistic 49-year-old care worker who recognizes the wood rather than the trees, as he fumbles through his stripped down life.
"I like old people, they're kind and they're not going to be around for forever so be nice to them," Derek Noakes.
Yet, despite the character's intellectual shortcomings, Derek's condensed childlike view of the world allows him to communicate powerful points overflowing of wisdom. Often speaks simplistic truths that can sometimes forgotten that strike the chords of epiphany lost to our misted lives, that are otherwise consumed by complexity and complication.
Along with best-buddy Dougie, starring Karl Pilkington in a mirror-image and life-imitating role, and similar love-interest Hannah (Kerry Godliman), the show follows their experiences working in a retirement home.
Following a familiar formula to previous production The Office, scenes of dialogue are interspersed with one-to-one interviews and reflections with the characters.
And rounded off with poignant piece Nuvole Bianche by the unequivocally talented Ludovico Einaudi, to mourn the end of a controversial yet touching pilot episode capable of horrifying and wrenching the hearts of its audience.
But after drawing in 2 million viewers on it's debut episode returning viewers could still have a lot left to be further astounded by for its return in 2013. But for better or worse, you decide...
