sparqui Not sure this really contains spoilers, but maybe for some people it will... This was a good show until season 3. Not sure what happened...new writers, perhaps? It was funny, fun and a lot of laughs. Then season 3 happened. It seemed to become mean spirited, not fun and had to take on all the 'social issues'.

fiona_r_lamb So this week I was flying back from LA to Toronto on Air Canada and noticed a British sitcom on their entertainment system. I managed to watch 4 out of the 6 episodes on offer and LOVED every single second. The writing, characters and observations on life in general were so well done.The first episode I watched centred around fundraising for a new playground by both Muslims and Christians. The Muslims raised $12K in a few days and the Reverend's congregation raised only 69 pence. Priceless! The Rev. is kind, compassionate and gentle but not without his own flaws and it's refreshing to see a religious character as both the main character and portrayed as NORMAL. With a wife and kid and dealing with all sorts of interesting parishioners. Mick, in particular, steals every scene he's in - HILARIOUS!!! Anyway, this show made my flight so much more palatable. Only wish we had this show in Canada so I could watch the rest.

HillstreetBunz This meditation on how a a Good man might fare as a Priest in modern inner city London is so real that, as in life, it's often almost impossible to know whether you want to laugh or cry. Often I did both. And at the same time. The story arc leads to flirting with the old postulation on what would we do to Jesus if he walked among us today, but the deeper insight is into what it means for us mere mortals, just to try to be good, even Christian, in this world, surrounded by the selfish and the self involved, the deluded and the indifferent. As writing it isn't being bettered anywhere on TV. As a company, all the players are brilliant, as the protagonist, Tom Hollander stakes a claim of such star quality, warmth and truth, as should make every writer and director beg to have him work with them. Along the way to the denouement, guest stars Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neesons involvement points to the richly deserved recognition that this show has received. The end is almost too much to take...but by a God I'm grateful that it got made.

selffamily What a wonderful series; I had heard about it but never seen it and finally the chance to hire it came about. I had my doubts, having been scarred by the rector's wife a couple of weeks ago, but this is a totally different kettle of fish, and funny, serious, and real. Great acting, wonderful characters and gentle humour. And upbeat!! The vicar is a highly likable character and he brings a reality to the fact of a man with faith that many series would scorn. Here he is not a villain, but a man trying to do the best he can with the lot he has chosen. It's refreshing to see a clergyman portrayed as a real human being, not a warped or bitter character, and a normal non-resentful wife.