Early Doors - only 12 episodes, every one a gem (Early Doors Series 2)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Early Doors Series 2
Date:	16/07/08 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great writing, fantastic characters, ambient setting

Disadvantages: Each episode is over too soon

I wonder why this fantastic series stopped with Season 2? With only 12 episodes produced it left me with a real sense of wanting more.

Written with great insight into the human condition by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey, who also both star in the programme, it captures the real heart of people in a small tight-knit community who have the local pub in common. The title, Early Doors, refers to those drinkers who start gathering outside the pub earlier than normal.

The series is filmed inside the pub and the characters draw you in quite cleverly; without any background provided, you soon become familiar with their unique characters from the anxious landlord, Ken, who is worried sick that he will lose the love of his beloved adopted daughter, Melanie, who is excited about meeting her real dad for the first time, to the local policemen, Phil and Nige, who call in to the pub regularly and are not the most honest of characters. They encourage after-hours drinking and, just from 'eavesdropping' into their conversations, you just know they have no intention of putting themselves in danger when called on their radios to attend, say, a local robbery. They are far too interested in their own pleasure and comfort and more than willing to accept discounted, back-of-a-lorry alcohol which Ken supplies them to keep them sweet.

Craig Cash, who also co-wrote the excellent The Royle Family, creates a genuine atmosphere that you soon feel part of. The drinkers are a colourful bunch; there's Eddie who just won't stop talking, his favourite subject being how to negotiate his way around town taking into account all the never-ending roadworks, the permanently-irritated Tommy who won't ever accept a drink because he is terrified that one day he'll have to buy a round of drinks, landlord Ken's bone-idle mother whom you only ever see lazing around on the sofa in the sitting room above the bar, eating chocolate and puffing on an inhaler to show that she is a victim to her asthma. Ken himself is madly in love with Tanya, the barmaid, his own wife having left him for his best friend.

With several other characters, an idea of their little world soon unfolds before you; the series is slow-paced and easy to watch yet is over too soon. You are always surprised when the episode comes to a close.

I do hope that a third series is produced soon but, if not, then I would encourage anyone to purchase series 1 and 2 on DVD. You will watch it over and over again.

Summary: For lovers of fine writing