After Life series 3 review.

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
After watching series two of the Netflix original from the brilliant mind of Ricky Gervais, it has been a long wait to finally indulge in the climatic season of After Life.
 
The review I did in 2020 for After Life 2 propelled Cineroom to even more readers as Gervais himself enjoyed it, but more importantly he appreciated a certain swearword count… and so it has another home in this review too. Let’s get into it…

EPISODE #1: “Finding your wife being gang-banged by some Dutch men”

C**t count: 3
 
We’re back in Tambury, and it feels a little different this time. We begin with a strong and warm opening episode as we greet the core characters once again, reminding us of the dysfunctional personalities we have missed since the pandemic began. As a foundational episode of the third series, it’s important we revisit the components of the show that we love, and the cutaway “Gazette Interviews” is that tonic.
 
These sequences are the light relief we need, and certainly Tony does even though it makes him question everything. We see Ricky’s comedic writing at its best: dry, witty, and sarcastic. Tony takes great delight in being cynical, and he must find the negatives to feel a little lighter in himself. Then we see the softer side to Tony with the cemetery scenes with Anne (Penelope Wilson). They are still the most poignant and affecting sequences – ever since Gervais proved his sensitive credentials with the delicate Derek, Ricky knows how to pour out an emotional scene. Episode one is a welcomed return to the show.
 
Episode rating: 4 stars
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EPISODE #2: “I’ve not even got a boyfriend and I’m f***ing easy”

C**t count: N/A
 
As we go straight into episode two, the “Gazette Interview” scenes still deliver. In this outing, if there’s anything so on the point these days, it’s the swingers talking about explicit sexual intercourse in a concise, formal, and politically correct manner. For me, this feels clearly like a Gervais-ism as when I watch his Humanity and Super Nature stand-up routines, he tackles the controversy around being comedic in the world today just like the senior couple try to ensure they don’t put their foot in it with the press.
 
It’s also in this episode (and show as a whole) where we see the career-best performance from Kerry Godliman - who is literally godly, man. Her screen-time is minimal, but it adds such weight to the series providing the constant reminder and underbelly to the sorrow throughout. After Life is a pure zig-zag rollercoaster of emotion.
 
Episode rating: 4 stars

EPISODE #3: “That was touch and go, like a goldfish on the carpet”

C**t count: 7
 
In episode three, the comedy is ramped up. Literally my only notes for this specific episode is all about the astonishing one-liners, the quips back and forth and the pure comedy gold that will end up on YouTube compilations before the month is out. Let me put it this way… Ratty and The Nonce (Andrew Brooke and Tom Bennett) grace the newspaper office for all of two minutes and they provide enough slapstick jokes to fill a “scenes we’d like to see” on a Mock the Week episode.
 
Also, EWAN MACINTOSH – yes, Ricky treats us in this episode… Big ‘Scotch Egg’ Keith from The Office joins the cast for a Gazette interview. It’s like rolling back the years and makes me want to hunt my Office DVDs out. There’s also a particular baby in a café scene that will live long in my memory, for two reasons. One, just thinking about how Ricky locked himself away writing this series and pondering what are the most annoying and tedious things that wind us all up every day, and two… that as a parent it is my worst nightmare if my child kicks up a public fuss. Humour and anxiety in equal measure; the perfect definition for the show.
 
Finally with this episode, David Earl’s Brian Gittins gets his moment. Gittins’ recount of his “threesome” with his ex-wife is the perfect metaphor for the show. It’s brutally funny but deafeningly heart-wrenching.
 
Episode rating: 4 stars
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EPISODE #4: “If God wanted my snatch to smell nice, he wouldn’t have put it next to my arsehole”

C**t count: 7
 
Brian Gittins, just stop it. In episode four, his creepy yet endearing nature is just everything when he comes into the frame. You long for his scenes to arrive. His chicken joke and dissection of his wife’s genital ordure in the Gazette office is comedy genius of the highest order. I would also like to leave with you two words here… “Naughty lolly”.
 
The “Gazette Interview” scene in episode four tugs on the heart strings as we reach halfway through the series, putting it directly on the audience’s nose just how difficult it is to lose someone, but even more so questioning if you could have loved them more when they were here.
 
Swiftly moving on though like the message of After Life intends to give you, we quickly see Tim Key being the classic Tim Key as he delivers a phenomenal cameo here, playing the antagonist role to a tee. He’s toe-curlingly cringe and abhorrent in equal measure; a stereotypical After Life “villain” that reaffirms why Tony is the way he is when people like the “Rude Date Man” (Key) exist in the Tambury world.
 
Episode rating: 5 stars
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EPISODE #5: “I don’t want to die, just trying to find a reason to live”

C**t count: 1
 
As episode 17 out of the entire 18 arrives, there’s a clear steppingstone to the final emotional bow out for the season and show looming. The poignant layers are thick here, with passionate and moving sequences littered one after each other.
 
June (Jo Hartley), out of nowhere, produces the scene-stealing performance of the episode, a monologue about Tony’s wife and the importance of spending her life insurance as a wish of Lisa’s. Without missing a beat, she sums up Tony’s struggle and makes him immediately realise the significance of honouring Lisa’s memory, in a way that he had never considered.
 
The lovely essence about this episode is that Gervais ensures every character has their ‘heartfelt moment’. It’s like the calm before the storm (the storm being the final ever episode of course) and Ricky gives not only adequate, but also earnest and sincere time to all the characters that have graced this precious series. The ultimate penultimate some might say.
 
Episode rating: 5 stars
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EPISODE #6: “What’s the difference between a Rolls-Royce and a dead prostitute?”

C**t count: 1
 
There’s so much to unpack in the final episode, but also so little I want to say for people to enjoy it in all its glory. I would like to reiterate just how much the park bench scenes really stick with me, and the playout between Tony and Anne at the start of episode six is right up there. Ricky is vulnerable, delicate, and gut-wrenchingly powerful when delivering his character’s painful memories, but he’s totally matched by the astonishingly subtle Penelope Wilson. It feels like the last blowout of powerhouse performances between the two, like a parting of ways as we say goodbye to the show.
 
Then the final “Gazette interview” scene is equally as hearty. The writing is on a knife-edge of tears, it’s difficult to swallow your emotion quietly when watching along. And then we hit the Tambury Fair and the storylines are wrapped up. The characters entwine for the final time and that’s that for Tambury and Tony. The final scene let’s you ponder everything about the show and makes you contemplate how you believe After Life ends. It’s a glorious finale and without a doubt sews everything together – a near-perfect comedy drama.
 
Episode rating: 5 stars
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SERIES THREE SUMMARY:

C**t count: 19
 
And that is that. After Life is over. Ricky Gervais's tale of grief and moving on has come to its suitably heart-warming conclusion. Tony has had one helluva journey from start to finish, and we have seen him grow so much from episode one in 2019. I feel like I will really miss this show and watching the progression of the Tambury townsfolk – Tony in particular.
 
But I think a little mention for Brandy the Dog is necessary. She is such an interesting character, and such a powerful and intricate part to the overall narrative. She is the sole source of constant happiness in Tony’s present life, but also the consistent reminder of how his past life was so seemingly perfect too. The scenes with Brandy and Tony in the living room or in his bed are so thoughtful, validating the famous phrase of a dog is “a man’s best friend”.
 
I also want to touch on the music throughout the series. The soundtrack elevates the scenes so well. Largely, the music is used when very little is going on with minimalist background building, it gives you the focus to listen to the lyrics and it means you think deeper and focus on the series messages even clearer – a genius decision by the creator.
 
And finally, what we are all waiting on… yes, the “C*** Count” totals. In series two, there were 16 “c**ts” delivered. In series three, we had the delight on three more totalling 19! Episodes 3 and 4 had 14 together – explosive!
 
All in all, what a show After Life has been. Ricky Gervais continues to show his genius from The Office to Extras and from Derek to After Life – he has talent for days. I cannot wait to see what he does next. Thank you for Tony and thank you for a wondrous series.
 
Cineroom’s rating: 4.5 stars
 
After Life series 1, 2 & 3 is out now worldwide on Netflix.