… damning given the fact that Ricky says he is most like Tony than any of his previous characters. He is being honest; I recognise Tony, even dating back to the XFM days….
“After Life” is a show that teeters on the edge of reality, presenting a distorted reflection of life that is both intriguing and perplexing. The protagonist, Tony, is a man steeped in sorrow, who finds solace in the company of a fellow mourner at the graveyard. This woman, always present, patiently absorbs Tony’s outpourings of grief, setting aside her own pain to provide him a listening ear. Yet, Tony never reciprocates this empathy, highlighting his self-centered nature.
The show is peppered with moments of unexpected kindness from Tony, which, given his usual melancholic demeanor, feel like grand gestures. These instances, however, often feel forced and out of place, as if they were inserted merely to break the monotony of Tony’s misery.
As a long-time admirer of Ricky Gervais and his creative universe, it’s surprising to see the stark contrast in the quality of “After Life” compared to his other works like “The Office” and “Extras”. The narrative of “After Life” often feels simplistic, as if it were crafted by a child asked to write a story about a ‘sad man’. This simplicity extends to the resolution of complex issues, which are often solved with an almost naive straightforwardness.
The show’s sense of absurdity is hard to ignore. For instance, Sandy, a new staff member, oscillates between boredom and emotional attachment to her job within the span of a single episode. Tony’s promise to save the company, despite showing no prior interest, further exemplifies this sense of absurdity.
Tony’s character is a study in contradictions. He is cruel, selfish, and capricious, yet expects unwavering loyalty from Emma, his love interest. His character development is inconsistent, with periods of apparent growth abruptly followed by a return to his old ways. This cyclical pattern of behavior, coupled with his sporadic bouts of substance abuse, adds a surreal element to the show.
Without the creative input of Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais’ disconnect from the realities of everyday life is glaringly evident in “After Life”. The same man who once couldn’t tell his radio listeners the price of a bottle of milk or a bus ride now presents a version of reality that feels detached and uninformed.
Despite its flaws, “After Life” does have its moments of genuine humor, mostly delivered by the supporting cast. These moments of levity, however, are not enough to mask the show’s overarching sense of disconnection from reality. In conclusion, “After Life” is a surreal journey through grief and redemption, offering a unique, albeit flawed, perspective on life and loss.
…play a record Karl.
