Ever since I became disabled, my incapacity for suffering fools gladly has diminished to an almost negligible level. I just don’t care anymore, you know? There’s just no point to worrying about getting hurt in a fight, is there? Let the assholes do their worse; let them start a fight with a crippled man. If you park in a disabled parking spot and are able-bodied, if you cut in line in front of me, if you mistreat the waitstaff… I’m going to let you have, both barrels blazing. Schmucks don’t deserve to get away with it just because.
And it was this incapacity for douchy behavior that I share with Tony, Ricky Gervais’ character in the heartbreaking and funny Netflix series, “After Life.” But the similarities between me and Tony end there. His rage at the world of stupidity and inconsideration that surrounds us is brought on by the loss of his beloved wife to cancer; a tragedy that has left him angry and suicidal. In fact, that is indeed where we meet Tony in the first episode; overcome with grief and ready to slash his wrists in a tub, only to see his dog’s sweet face and wonder who would take care of her if he offs himself.
Now, if you know anything about Ricky Gervais’ work; from the original “The Office” to his hosting the Golden Globes and all other variously brilliant series and movies, you know he pulls no punches. And he carries on that tradition in “After Life”, especially in the first series, more especially because Gervais wrote and directed all episodes. The angry Tony is crass, in-your-face, and more often than not, cringe-inducing. He has nothing to lose, since he still plans to kill himself, and is sick and tired of people who haven’t suffered as he has but are still assholes and inconsiderate morons, and waste their lives being so.
I must admit, watching the first series, I cried more than I laughed. As she was dying, Tony’s wife Lisa recorded messages for him, trying her best to keep him the happy man-child he was. Tony watches these videos as often as he can, but instead of strengthening his soul they break his heart.
Things begin to change in the second series, as Tony meets new people, all played by brilliant comedians and actors well familiar to fans of British sitcoms and panel shows. Lest you forget, Tony remains his crass self (parts of the episodes are downright unbearable), but his willingness to live and keep on living takes a few turns. I’ll stop here; I’m not a trained critic and I’ll probably just spoil the whole thing for you. Suffice it to say, if you’re a fan of Gervais, as I am, you’ll love “After Life".
And if you’re not… you and I will probably never get along.