The hugely popular Netflix series After Life combines poignancy with profundity, humor and heartbreak. Tony's tragic loss is the focus of the comedy-drama, but each character has a different backstory, with emotion that almost everyone can relate to. Ricky Gervais has confirmed the making of After Life, season 3 and it can't arrive too soon for fans.
For a series steeped in pathos, Gervais opened up his writing to the realities of difficult subjects such as losing a loved one, and though the series is steeped in dark humor, it treats heavy subject matter with appropriate gravity. Every element has a reason for being part of the show, set among an abundance of meaningful quotes.
Tony finds a true friend in a widower named Anne whom he meets at the graveyard where his wife's headstone is. Their commonality encourages an exchange of stories, memories and lessons. They both speak about their late partners with a great deal of love, which leads Anne to express exactly what her love means. It would be more common to hear people say the opposite of this quote, because no one wants to see their loved one go. But Anne's beautiful phrase proves that the pain she feels is so agonizing that she'd rather endure it than for her husband to have to feel the same pain.
The superb script of After Life approaches difficult topics with sensitivity but doesn't exclude realism. Ray, Tony's dad, is in the advanced stages of dementia, meaning he struggles to know where he is or who people are, including his son. Tony often got frustrated at the painful questions Ray would asks about Lisa, because Ray thinks she is still alive. But on one visit in season 1, episode 6, Tony asks Ray if Ray recognizes him. A wave of realization washes over Ray's face as he recalls exactly who Tony is, bringing Tony close to tears. Even amid the worsening of Ray's condition, he still feels unconditional love for his son deep down.
After his loss, Tony's zest for life and his patience diminish. His irritation comes close to the boiling point with everyone, even his father, because he forgets that Lisa is no longer alive. So it's no surprise when, in season 1, episode 2, he questions how Emma, Ray's nurse, finds the sanity to carry out her duties. Emma gives a clear explanation to the reason she does her job. There's more to her employment than to pay the bills. Emma evidently believes that it is her responsibility to be there when older people are no longer independent, just as they did for their dependents, and she is more than happy to be the one do it.
Tony often shares the things that were most important to him in his relationship. Whether it's to give advice, make someone laugh or just exchange stories, Lisa is always at the forefront of his mind. For Tony and his late wife, it was their mutual companionship that meant the most.
While sitting with Julian, a drug user, in season 1, episode 4, Tony explains that their version of partying was simply to sit together with the dog and drink wine. At that time, the use of alcohol was done din celebration and happiness, hoping the night wouldn't end. With Lisa gone, Tony now consumes alcohol for opposite reasons. Losing Lisa changed everything for him, even the small things that he took for granted.
In After Life, the Tambury Gazette covers local stories told by the town's residents. The weird and wacky accounts include a woman who makes rice pudding using her breast milk and a man who found a stain on his wall that resembles actor Kenneth Branagh. As trivial as these stories may be, it's still a struggle for Brian to get an article about himself in the Gazette. He remained persistent and eventually, in season 1, episode 5, Tony gave in to Brian's pleas agrees to visit Brian's home to find something to report. Brian's relentless effort pays off, and Tony's kindness makes a difference to him. Being mentioned in a local newspaper may be insignificant to some people, but as Brian's words prove, it can mean a great deal to others.
Sandy's 30th birthday comes around in season 2, episode 3, but she's not in a celebratory mood. Her home situation requires her to look after her parents and siblings. She receives a mop as a gift and plans to cook her own birthday meal. Sitting at her desk, she contemplates what being 30 means.
Tony's words point out that getting older doesn't mean anything per se. What really matters is how one lives one's life no matter their age. Just because Sandy is another year older doesn't mean her age dictates how she should feel, therefore getting older doesn't mean she has to feel worse.
Paul, the owner of Tambury Gazette and its building, is the bearer of bad news in season 2, episode 4. He reveals that the paper is failing too badly for him to justify keeping it open. The news devastates Sandy, as it's the only place she's ever enjoyed working. Tony vows to work hard to keep it open, but first he speaks to Paul about the situation. He says that his colleagues are good people who have saved his life, and he would like to help them in some way. Paul's agreement to keep the paper open means more than merely keeping his employees' jobs intact.
As one of the most likable characters in After Life, Anne allows Tony to rely on her friendship, becoming his shoulder to cry on. Whenever they met, she listens intently to his pain and shares her own experiences and her wisdom. After another typical meeting on their usual bench in season 2, episode 5, Tony jests that he should be paying Anne for all the therapeutic conversations they share, as it's meant him saving money on a "shrink." Anne's reply indicates how much she values Tony's company and doesn't require anything more from him than his friendship.
The improbable relationships Tony forms throughout his journey of grief include a friendship with a sex worker, Roxy. They meet through their mutual acquaintance, Julian. They each learn there is more to the other than they initially thought. Tony's bluntness doesn't push Roxy away, perhaps because he redeems himself with not judging her for the work she does. She grows increasingly concerned about his well-being and checks in on him in season 2, episode 6, after he loses his father. Sitting on his sofa, she finds a pot of sleeping tablets and wants to know that he isn't abusing them. Their friendship forms over a short amount of time, but it's evident that Roxy really care about Tony.
Through paying visits to Autumnal Leaves Care Home, Tony takes a shine to Emma. However, as much as Tony likes her, he can't let go of his marriage, feeling like he's being unfaithful in some way to his late wife. He tells Emma he wishes they could stay as they are, like Groundhog Day, but Emma declines his suggestion. But Emma changes her mind eventually, showing up at Tony's door in the final episode of season 2, accepting Groundhog Day. What she doesn't realize is that her willingness to put her heart on the line in that moment intercepts Tony's near attempt at suicide. Her words aren't meaningful only because they're what Tony wanted to hear but also because Emma unknowingly saved his life.
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