After it won all those awards, I thought I would see what all the fuss was. This is certainly beyond the pale of conventionality. This character drags us into her personal life. A restaurant owner with few resources, she flips through live as a perverted mess. The thing is, she has a deep knowledge of what she is and shares it. I never judge any show by its first effort. Here we are introduced to her frantic, random world. We've met the main characters and are on our way.
8 Reviews
It is that big?
Trey_Trebuchet8 July 2023
I wasn't totally sure I'd get in to this just going off of this episode, but having watched the one right after, I actually think it's a pretty solid premiere.
I'm aware of the show's reputation, but I've not actually seen anything of it (trailers or pics or anything), so I was very thrown off by the fourth-wall breaks, the sex and the crude humor. This episode seems to hint at much deeper themes though. There's a hint of loneliness and I can't say that I don't understand where our protagonist is coming from.
I feel like I maybe wouldn't be beat of friends with her in real life? Who knows, maybe I would. She's a bit of a jerk and continues to abuse her position as a daughter, sister, girlfriend and friend in general. Yet I don't hate her. She's quite funny and very aware of what kind of person she is. I'm hopeful I'll relate to her at some point in this season.
I liked the humor, the editing in particular is hilarious😂Bridge is a great performer too. Truly.
Good pilot.
I'm aware of the show's reputation, but I've not actually seen anything of it (trailers or pics or anything), so I was very thrown off by the fourth-wall breaks, the sex and the crude humor. This episode seems to hint at much deeper themes though. There's a hint of loneliness and I can't say that I don't understand where our protagonist is coming from.
I feel like I maybe wouldn't be beat of friends with her in real life? Who knows, maybe I would. She's a bit of a jerk and continues to abuse her position as a daughter, sister, girlfriend and friend in general. Yet I don't hate her. She's quite funny and very aware of what kind of person she is. I'm hopeful I'll relate to her at some point in this season.
I liked the humor, the editing in particular is hilarious😂Bridge is a great performer too. Truly.
Good pilot.
8/10
dcdude-2698827 December 2023
Honestly, I don't find this to be my favorite start to the series, but I also don't find this the worst neither. Something I find interesting about this series so far is that it is mostly just about romance and sexual activity. I also noticed that Fleabag's name was never mentioned throughout the episode, and I like how Fleabag's character is one of the most honest characters in all of fiction. As of right now, I think I am going to be able to binge watch this whole entire television series, even though I have to make reviews everytime I finish an episode. As of right now, I don't love it, but I do like this series.
Originality At Its Purest
arranadam29 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It pains me to see the other reviews of this episode, of which aptly radiate the oblivious and apathetic male-centric attitude that this show so eloquently spotlights to only discard from the evidence of its flaws.
Fleabag is one of the most original, raw and outstanding series of TV I've ever seen. Its pilot is unapologetic, merciless and eye-opening to not only a confused and morally ambiguous protagonist but to the inner-lives of a modern women and the female sex in general.
I felt the need to apologise to my mother, my girlfriend and the lady who served me in the local cafe immediately after watching this short piece of television that impacted, and has continued to impact, my day to day life more than many other feats of cinema have achieved in a much longer period of viewing time.
All of that, and one hasn't even reached the beating heart of the show: it's outrageously funny. Quirky, organic and sociologically driven, like all best BBC comedies, the emmy-worthy script is driven by unique and memorable characters who are baptised in awkward British quirks and palpably human in all the unfortunately realistic ways.
I envy you if you're reading this review and are yet to watch this show because you truly have no idea of the joy, emotion and fresh art you're about to experience.
But then, like me, I'm sure you'll be back to watch it again.
Fleabag is one of the most original, raw and outstanding series of TV I've ever seen. Its pilot is unapologetic, merciless and eye-opening to not only a confused and morally ambiguous protagonist but to the inner-lives of a modern women and the female sex in general.
I felt the need to apologise to my mother, my girlfriend and the lady who served me in the local cafe immediately after watching this short piece of television that impacted, and has continued to impact, my day to day life more than many other feats of cinema have achieved in a much longer period of viewing time.
All of that, and one hasn't even reached the beating heart of the show: it's outrageously funny. Quirky, organic and sociologically driven, like all best BBC comedies, the emmy-worthy script is driven by unique and memorable characters who are baptised in awkward British quirks and palpably human in all the unfortunately realistic ways.
I envy you if you're reading this review and are yet to watch this show because you truly have no idea of the joy, emotion and fresh art you're about to experience.
But then, like me, I'm sure you'll be back to watch it again.
Episode 1
lassegalsgaard14 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Why is it that a lot of TV shows that make it big in the U. K. never reach us here across the pond? It may be because a lot of the U. K. shows are very British and steeped in that culture, so it wouldn't even appeal to us. It could also be because a lot of them are not ratings juggernauts and the local providers here in Denmark don't want to show them. However, with the rise of streaming, it seems like new homes have been found for some of those smaller shows, and I'm sure that if Prime Video hadn't existed today, then it's unlikely that this show would have had a big release outside of the U. K. But with that said, Prime Video did decide to pick up "Fleabag" for foreign distribution, and good on them, because this show has proven to be a huge success and still draws new viewers even years after its run has ended. It was originally developed from a one-woman show that Phoebe Waller-Bridge had performed at an arts festival, and it then became this huge success, which doesn't only touch on a lot of everyday problems, but it also deals with the issues that we don't like to talk about. This premiere is one of the most functional premieres I've ever seen, because it so beautifully captures the character of its focus, and the overall premise and themes of loneliness and desire in such a perfect way that it can only go down from here.
First of all, let's talk about how this show is hilarious, yet super dark. It uses its awkwardness as an advantage when it comes to its comedy, and Tim Kirkby is a magician with those pauses, sucking all the laughs he can out of it. At the same time, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing is so meticulous and precise that she knows perfectly well how to get her characters into those uncomfortable situations and make them funny. It's an awesome gift that she uses at her moment she can, in a gag that manages to never feel old or get tiresome.
However, underneath the covers is a very dark show that deals with depression and loneliness. Fleabag is a very lonely character desperately wanting someone she can connect with, which is why she goes through life with a lot of lovers, even trying to pick up a complete stranger on the side of the road. When she tries to talk to her family about it, they don't show a lot of support, which never helps anything. It's so wonderfully done and so subtly that it never takes away from the comedy, but only adds to the layers of this structured show.
It has a slew of interesting characters, but it never forgets its main focus on Fleabag. This is a character study of someone with a lot of pain who tries to put on a happy face to hide all of that. There's a lot to be discovered about her character, and the ending of the episode tells the audience everything they need to know about Fleabag and what her colors are. It's a beautiful ending that feels very tragicomedy, but sets up the show in beautiful fashion and teases what's going to come down the line for her and her family.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge doesn't only excel as a writer, but her acting is superb as well. She can keep a smile for just a little too long, making it very uncomfortable but getting the belly laughs out in a rush. She's so perfectly cut out for this character, and uses her excellent pitch to bring soul and depth to Fleabag. The single scene we saw of Olivia Colman also sets up a lot of tension between the two, but if there ever was a piece of perfect casting for anything, it would be Colman's selection for this awfully loathing character.
This is the kind of excellence we need to see on TV, and if "Episode 1" indicates the direction of this show, I can't wait. It's a tragicomedy at its purest, and both elements complement the intense layers of this show, bringing a very unique and refreshing take to the fun sitcom premise we often see.
First of all, let's talk about how this show is hilarious, yet super dark. It uses its awkwardness as an advantage when it comes to its comedy, and Tim Kirkby is a magician with those pauses, sucking all the laughs he can out of it. At the same time, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing is so meticulous and precise that she knows perfectly well how to get her characters into those uncomfortable situations and make them funny. It's an awesome gift that she uses at her moment she can, in a gag that manages to never feel old or get tiresome.
However, underneath the covers is a very dark show that deals with depression and loneliness. Fleabag is a very lonely character desperately wanting someone she can connect with, which is why she goes through life with a lot of lovers, even trying to pick up a complete stranger on the side of the road. When she tries to talk to her family about it, they don't show a lot of support, which never helps anything. It's so wonderfully done and so subtly that it never takes away from the comedy, but only adds to the layers of this structured show.
It has a slew of interesting characters, but it never forgets its main focus on Fleabag. This is a character study of someone with a lot of pain who tries to put on a happy face to hide all of that. There's a lot to be discovered about her character, and the ending of the episode tells the audience everything they need to know about Fleabag and what her colors are. It's a beautiful ending that feels very tragicomedy, but sets up the show in beautiful fashion and teases what's going to come down the line for her and her family.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge doesn't only excel as a writer, but her acting is superb as well. She can keep a smile for just a little too long, making it very uncomfortable but getting the belly laughs out in a rush. She's so perfectly cut out for this character, and uses her excellent pitch to bring soul and depth to Fleabag. The single scene we saw of Olivia Colman also sets up a lot of tension between the two, but if there ever was a piece of perfect casting for anything, it would be Colman's selection for this awfully loathing character.
This is the kind of excellence we need to see on TV, and if "Episode 1" indicates the direction of this show, I can't wait. It's a tragicomedy at its purest, and both elements complement the intense layers of this show, bringing a very unique and refreshing take to the fun sitcom premise we often see.
Fleabag 1
Prismark103 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Fleabag is written by and stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge and is inspired by her Edinburgh fringe play. Waller-Bridge narrates to the audience and sometimes gives knowing looks to the camera.
Fleabag tells her father that she is a 'a greedy perverted selfish apathetic cynical depraved morally bankrupt woman who can't even call herself a feminist.'
In the first scene she allows her boyfriend have anal sex with her. We see her attempt to steal and in order to secure a bank loan for her struggling cafe she even flashes her bra at him.
By the end of the episode she bares a little of her soul to a cab driver. Her business partner Boo died as she wanted to get knocked off by a cyclist and ended up dying. Boo's boyfriend had an affair and she just wanted to make him feel bad and it all went wrong. (I suspect it was Fleabag who had sex with him.)
This was an interesting opening episode, crude, rude, embarrassing, funny and hints that it might go to a darker path. Bill Paterson plays her dad and Olivia Coleman is the wicked stem-mother but both were underutilized in the opening episode.
Fleabag tells her father that she is a 'a greedy perverted selfish apathetic cynical depraved morally bankrupt woman who can't even call herself a feminist.'
In the first scene she allows her boyfriend have anal sex with her. We see her attempt to steal and in order to secure a bank loan for her struggling cafe she even flashes her bra at him.
By the end of the episode she bares a little of her soul to a cab driver. Her business partner Boo died as she wanted to get knocked off by a cyclist and ended up dying. Boo's boyfriend had an affair and she just wanted to make him feel bad and it all went wrong. (I suspect it was Fleabag who had sex with him.)
This was an interesting opening episode, crude, rude, embarrassing, funny and hints that it might go to a darker path. Bill Paterson plays her dad and Olivia Coleman is the wicked stem-mother but both were underutilized in the opening episode.
Disappointing
thomas_bailess25 July 2016
I was ready to love this show. It looks beautifully filmed, the premise is great, and the supporting cast are superb. However it falls flat, mainly due to the performance of the main character, the titular Fleabag (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge).
The gimmick is that in each scene she breaks the fourth wall and addresses the viewer directly. It is supposed to give us an insight into the character's real thoughts, something Peep Show achieved brilliantly with its hilarious internal monologues. However it is carried out so inelegantly, after a few minutes it just aggravates.
On top of this, the writing is weak and directionless. The fantastic supporting case, notably Olivia Colman and Bill Paterson, do their best to bring it to life, but they don't have much to work with. And whilst Phoebe Waller-Bridge is gorgeous, it takes more than a pretty face to make compelling television.
I really wanted to like this. British TV is crying out for more original comedy to join hits like Mighty Boosh and Fresh Meat. Whilst Fleabag has some merits, the end result is sadly mediocre.
The gimmick is that in each scene she breaks the fourth wall and addresses the viewer directly. It is supposed to give us an insight into the character's real thoughts, something Peep Show achieved brilliantly with its hilarious internal monologues. However it is carried out so inelegantly, after a few minutes it just aggravates.
On top of this, the writing is weak and directionless. The fantastic supporting case, notably Olivia Colman and Bill Paterson, do their best to bring it to life, but they don't have much to work with. And whilst Phoebe Waller-Bridge is gorgeous, it takes more than a pretty face to make compelling television.
I really wanted to like this. British TV is crying out for more original comedy to join hits like Mighty Boosh and Fresh Meat. Whilst Fleabag has some merits, the end result is sadly mediocre.
Waiting for the funny part
zeovers4 February 2021
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