Detectorists

Radio Times review

If Radio Times had a Scene of the Year competition I'd nominate a two-hander in the finale of this adorable sitcom. It's moving not only for what is said but also for what is not - and the back story suggested by it. In a pub garden, Lance (Toby Jones) nurses a pint, rueful about not hearing from the daughter he's just discovered he has. Smiley Sheila (wonderful Sophie Thompson), whom we thought was naive and a bit simple, consoles him with unexpected wisdom. And behind her careful words lies a world of sadness.

Not far behind are other insightful scenes: Lance and Andy discussing ambition; Andy and his mother-in-law (Diana Rigg) on priorities; and a real beauty between Andy and Becky: both absurd and affecting. But then Detectorists has always championed unfashionable things like kindness and friendship.

It's an episode of decisions, framed with a David Bailey eye and a nuanced script... delivered by actors who know they've made something of lasting value. Perfection.

Star/writer/director Mackenzie Crook told RT the BBC wants more, so we just hope it'll come buzzing back soon.

What a dazzling thing Detectorists is, encompassing the big themes - love, loss, death - with poignancy and warmth, while still finding time for some killer drive-by gags: the discovery of a brooch with a Latin inscription is a beaut. Tonight, Andy goes for a job interview and learns the truth about Wimbledon Common (Lance: "Just because the Wombles live there, doesn't mean it's not a real place"). There are further revelations about Peter's grandfather, and Lance invites his daughter round for a surprise.

Radio Times review

It's crunch time for our Poundland Time Team: Andy (Mackenzie Crook) faces an interview to work in Botswana, while Lance (Toby Jones) is nervous about playing catch-up with his long-lost daughter Kate. Neither meeting goes well.

Among the show's many amusing pairings, the timorous, hangdog Andy and his much more driven wife Becky (Rachel Stirling) are a charmingly odd couple. In an episode with more drama than comedy, their exchanges, plus the trivia-laced banter of the two friends - is golden talk indeed.

Another round of excavations in Mackenzie Crook's wonderfully beguiling comedy drama. While Lance (Toby Jones) practises his conversation starters before an encounter at the Lemon Tree ("Did you know 90% of onions are consumed in their country of origin?"), Sophie and Peter are getting closer - and a worried mayor enlists the Danebury Metal Detecting Club's help in finding his chain of office, dropped somewhere up the hill in the bushes in Barnfather Woods, near "where all the cars go after dark".

"The idea of what is considered beautiful changes through time," explains Lance to scrawny Andy as they plod through the fields.

"Back in the Tudor period you might have been considered really attractive. Stick a rock around your neck and you could've been one of Lizzy the First's favourites." Andy, stung, sarcastically asks how far through time they'd have to go before little Lance would be considered beautiful. "My time is right around the corner," he confidently states.

So what's behind his sudden confidence? When Andy asks him to go out later he says he can't because he has "plans." Andy's suspicions are alerted, and he asks what kind of plans. "Gotta pop into Screwfix," says Lance, determined to give nothing away.

So later, when Andy spies him in the Lemon Tree Café with a lady friend, he's shocked and immediately jumps behind a wall to spy on his friend. He's hunting not muddy treasure but his old pal's secret love life. Andy rings Lance's mobile but Lance insists he's at Screwfix.

Appalled at the lie, Andy asks, "Can you get me some masonry nails? Galvanised."

The sub-plots in this sitcom are all very well, but the relationship between these two friends is just fantastic.

Radio Times review

For all the beauty on show, Mackenzie Crook's sylvan sitcom has no time to stand and stare. Without you even noticing, tonight's rustic stroll stealthily advances to the point where you wonder if the show can ever be the same again.

It's an unprepossessing start, however, with lesser-known detectorists Russell and Hugh engaged in what turns out to be a grubby task for the mayor. It soon dovetails neatly into the WW2 plot, while Lance's mystery date and Becky's frustration with Andy take us intriguing places. Detectorists looks effortless, but I'm certain every beauty shot, gag and beat is scrupulously planned, written and acted. It's quietly stunning.

Mackenzie Crook interview

Mackenzie Crook on turning down Johnny Depp eight years after suffering breakdown and deciding to quit.

To the Danebury Metal Detecting Club, Detectorists' gentle comedy, normally words which conjure fierce misery, works splendidly on both that and many other levels. As far as I can recall from this resumption, absolutely nothing happened, but it happened perfectly: and, again, a pairing is at the heart. I've been lucky enough to interview both Toby Jones and Mackenzie Crook, and they must be among the least egotistical delights in the business. It shows in their quiet on-screen companionship: and yet already I'm gripped with frissons, and fiercely rooting for them to find that damned trove.

Detectorists, Series 2 Episode 1, BBC Four, review

This comedy about men on the edge is beautifully underplayed by Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones, says Jasper Rees.

Ground rules of comedy: last night's TV reviewed

Rule No.1 of situation comedy? The situation never changes.