Home (2017)

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Sami pays a visit to "Stone'enge" on the eve of his interview and Peter makes a big decision in the final episode of Rufus Jones's lovely sitcom. Beautifully written, wonderfully cast and incredibly timely, it manages to say more about the current state of the UK than any number of documentaries.

After a poor start, writer-star Rufus Jones's comedy-drama has matured into a thought-provoking meditation on statelessness, ornamented by a few tension-relieving jokes. This week, Sami makes up with Peter and turns guest teacher as he gives John's class an important lesson.

Episode two of Rufus Jones's gently subversive refugee comedy, and Sami from Syria gets to grips with his new life in Dorking - which largely involves running into Brexity locals and mean teenagers. Will disdainful Peter come back from work and save the day? Not quite.

For obvious reasons, there was a sense of ethical tenterhooks when it came to watching Home, a new comedy written by and starring the talented Rufus Jones (W1A; Camping), about a Syrian refugee who ends up living with an English family after stowing away in their car's boot. Prissy Peter (Jones), Katy (Rebekah Staton) and her son (Oaklee Pendergast) discovered Damascus teacher Sami (Youssef Kerkour), who had been separated from his wife and child. Sami's predicament divided the already struggling couple, with Katy sympathetic, and Peter less so. "He's lost and alone and he needs looking after." "He's not Paddington." Peter ended up sleeping on the sofa opposite Sami, with the latter drily remarking: "We've both been exiled by an unstoppable force."

Admittedly, Home wasn't trying to be a documentary, but it was rather too light on the suffering of real-life refugees. However, it was also witty and poignant. Kerkour's Sami had the best moment - a sight gag about Marmite not tasting so good (I know, outrageous - I'll be writing a letter of complaint to Channel 4). It was important that Sami didn't become a human prop for the British family to riff about, but, if anything, he emerged as the most fully formed character - wry, fast-witted, dignified. This came through stronger towards the end, when Sami invited Peter to ask him questions. "Which side of the road do you drive?" "The one without the tanker." "Is there anything I can do to make you feel more at home?" "There actually is: tear down those walls and blow up the toilet." At such points, Home seemed part refugee-themed comedy, part updated Odd Couple. Going by this opener, it should be worth keeping an eye on.

Home review

Yes, Home is underpinned by a strong social, political message, but like all good comedies, it's ultimately about relationships and the ridicule of human foibles, from Peter's intransigence to the bureaucracy of the Home Office.

Home is the perfect mix of funny and tragic

What happens when you open the boot of the family car to find an unexpected passenger all the way from Syria?