ADOPTION AND DEATH OF A LOVED ONE are among life’s top tribulations
that two underrated comedies tackle with infectious charm. Both Trying
and Fisk demonstrate that when faced with grief and impossible odds,
it’s time to roll out the indecent humor—done only the way the Brits and
Aussies can.
Warning! Spoiler Alert!
TRYING
An Apple TV Original, Trying follows the lives of
Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall), who are faced with the devasting
news that it will be near impossible for them to conceive. After much
soul-searching, they decide to adopt (“Do you think we’ll get a kid today?”
Nikki asks hopefully on their intro to the adoption process). Well, not quite
within a day, try more like a year—and that’s if they can pass the paperwork,
home visits, and a grueling council interview—before we get to the kids. With a
dysfunctional family night and day apart from being a cohesive group (one great
scene features Jason’s dad who would rather keep sneaking off to fix things
around the flat than engage in conversation with the in-laws) and pitted
against bougie couples keen to snag kiddos for their mansions, the road to
parenthood seems like a pipe dream—kept alive by Nikki’s ineffable spirit and
Jason’s commitment to Nikki.
Luckily, the couple has Social Worker Penny (Imelda
Staunton) on their side! At first I was expecting another Dolores Umbridge, but
this Staunton character is wacky and kind-hearted, been in the world of social
services for decades, and has no qualms about setting people straight. The less
obvious scene stealer turns out to be Scott (Darren Boyd), prickish beau of
Nikki’s sister, the uppity know-it-all we’ve all encountered at one point or
another. He spends the first season making you just plain hate him, before
emerging with an unforeseen redemption arch.
The first three seasons of Trying are effortlessly
hilarious. Season Four (currently streaming) has a bit of a lackluster start,
likely due to all the casting changes. Hopefully it can recover its footing
before it makes all of its well-developed characters into caricatures (like the
territory the supremely well-done Suits found itself in at the end).
Less is sometimes more. However, the first three seasons will certainly bring
that fresh touch of originality and spunk as did The Office, Ted Lasso
and other comedy classics.
FISK
Australian ABC Television; Streaming on Netflix
HELEN TUDOR-FISK was a big-time contracts lawyer before her
career, marriage, and housing situation took a nose-dive, landing her at the
shabby little probate law firm Gruber & Associates. Helen (Kitty Flanagan),
a no-nonsense plain mouse unable to read social cues, is probably the last
person you would want helping you through the grief process, but it sure makes
for hilarious television. The sibling pair running the firm are played
perfectly by Roz (Julia Zemiro) and Ray Gruber (Marty Sheargold), their personalities
equal parts ridiculous and yet incredibly authentic for the family-run
operation. Rounding out the small office is the receptionist/IT Administrator
simply called “George” (Aaron Chen), the inspiration for deadpan comebacks.
It does give The Office vibes, tackling cases of
wills and probate ranging from a woman whose deceased spouse signed her up to
receive repeated calls from “beyond the grave” that the telecommunications
company refuses to cancel, to a daughter duking it out with her deceased
father’s much younger wife. Put Helen in the middle with her dutifully literal
interpretation of the law and let the fireworks begin. As humorless as Helen
starts out (the temp Peggy informs her she’s ‘no fun’), she proves she is
willing to go above and beyond for her clients, ultimately forming her own
career outside the shadow of her father (an esteemed judge), and maybe
developing some empathy.
Not too soon, though—Fisk is short, sweet, and
focused with limited episodes for each of its two seasons, and I can’t wait for
season 3. Who knew the world of probate and wills could be so entertaining!
