'Derek' on life

Recently, I have been watching a series called 'Derek' which is a bittersweet comedy drama about an innocent man who works in a retirement home. Ricky Gervais, who writes and directs the series, also stars as the main character Derek.

Initially, it was intended that it would be one series, however, Gervais is going to make a second series due to how well it has been received. However, is this down to the comical aspect of the programme? Or the meaningful, caring nature of Derek himself who always seems to look on the brighter side of life?

The series has been comical due to the characters Gervais has designed and the bluntness and dry humour which is communicated. The final episode of 'Derek' found Ricky Gervais unashamedly eschewing laughs for tears and introspection, as the residents of Broad Hill gathered to farewell one of their own: Lizzie.

Episode six - the last episode, for me achieved its aim of making everyone explore the meaning of their own lives.

Played by Karl Pilkington, Dougie's statement reflects this as he states: "You've only got to watch these documentaries on the telly. That's why they put those things on the telly, to make people like me feel good about myself. It works.”

As the series progressed, the personalities of the characters developed and became known to me. Ricky Gervais for example conveys Derek as a man who on the outside seems vulnerable and incapable, however, then he expresses emotions and truth... Gervais cleverly modelled Derek as weak, so that when kindness comes along it "trumps" the audience's initial perception of Derek.

However, the last episode revealed something quite different. For me, it revealed the truth behind people. The truth that often people do have a 'front'; they put on a brave face to hide their true emotions and personal difficulties. They do this, because they know no other way to express themselves. 

Kev, as he is referred to, is played by David Earl. He is a character who hasn't been successful in life. He therefore resorts to 'hanging around' whilst drinking beer after beer and making excruciating verbal comments, about sex. However, he has charisma, due to his wittiness. In the last episode, he takes the opportunity to reveal his true feelings about his life, he states: "When I look back at my life it's been appalling. I've got my limbs which is good, but in my mind it's been a war since day one. It feels like no one would want to be me - that's what it feels like." Kev uses confidence to hide his insecurities, which shows that some people in life who come across as confident, may be internally damaged and broken.

Similarly, Hannah who is played by Kerry Godliman conveys a strong, career-orientated women who is content with her life, as she projects happiness to all those she helps in Broad Hill Care Home. However, when she reflects on her life, like Kev, she reveals something personal. She states that life is "relative": she's had a better life than most people, but still some things for her haven't worked out. She states that despite her happiness, she is "sick of worrying", especially about money. She has made me reflect on my own life in that she says there's no point in regretting anything as she states: "I can change things, can't I? It's up to me." This is essentially life... we shouldn't regret things we do as we had that choice at the time.

The last episode of 'Derek' made me cry in that it showed a lifetime of love, and how love should be. In episode six, Lizzie played by Kay Noone passed away, leaving behind her caring, dedicated husband Gerald played by Robert Vahey. Hannah informs the viewers that Lizzie's health was deteriorating due to her Alzheimer's, however, her husband never misses a day visiting her. Gerald then takes her hand and asks her how she is with a smile on his face.

Gerald then reflects back on their life, telling the audience that he met Lizzie in the shoe shop she worked in which isn't there anymore. The absence of the shoe shop for me, reflects how time has progressed and how the foundations of their love, though removed, have continued to flourish. He stated that as soon as he saw her, "That was it, she got in my heart... She was the prettiest little thing I had ever seen... We got married a year later". He said that due to her health, she doesn't always know him. However he still continues to look forward to seeing her as she's, "still the same person". Despite Gerald's melancholy face due to his realisation that life isn't quite the same, he states that everyday he introduces himself and they get to know each other all over again. Gerald says he's lucky as, "who else gets to fall in love 365 days a year?". Gerald encapsulates the theme of time progressing by stating that:

"People see doddering old people caught in a time warp waiting to die, but I see a beautiful young girl who wants to spend the rest of her life with me..." (referring to Lizzie)

He then ends his reflection with: "I win". This brought a tear to my eye, as this short simple statement encompasses his view of their love... That he is the luckiest man alive to have known such a woman despite her flaws and the hindrance of her health. Beneath it all, like he says he sees "a beautiful young girl who wants to spend the rest of her life with me". This is what love is about... Take away all the reality and problems it brings and see beneath someone and their true self whilst feeling happy and getting away from the 'real' world.

Despite it being fictional, it felt real in that, for me, it truly reflected true outlooks on life...
It was poignant as it showed how life progresses, and how it ultimately ends and how on the outside people may be happy, however beneath they're crying out for help.