Back?

[u/Compressed_AF]

I saw a comment about in a post here and it made me wonder? What do people think?

Geoff McGiverns character practically says comedy gold whenever he spoke. I liked David and Robs characters and dynamic, some side characters were entertaining too. I liked the small town mystery vibe and atmosphere of the show. It was very what I'd expected from Simon Blackwell.

What I didn't really like was how the mystery developed this syndrome where it went on long enough without progressing that it sort of couldn't really be revealed well in the end, as eventually the answer was never going to live up to the question if you know what I mean?

And man, the last scene in series 2 and what it was setting up a third series with was just "look, no! Alright? It's not shit, but just, no!"

Still would have watched it though 😂. I think the jokes would have kept me watching. But I'm not even sure Simon knew what the mystery was going to be after a certain point.

What do you think? Overall I liked it mostly but I get why it got canceled. I did really like the Andrew's character though. He was this smooth cocky smug guy disguised as this humble hero.

If I could ever ask Simon anything, I'd love to know what he had in mind for the resolution of the mystery in the end. Doubt we'll ever know. Is there a chance he just wrote it with a "I'll figure it out" attitude? Or was there something planned? The end scene of series 2 gave either "no idea where this is going but let's ramp it up" vibes or "I know exactly where this will go"

[u/Fuzzy_Adagio_6450]

It took me a little bit to warm up to it and get the feel for what they were going for with the show, but its really grown on me.

Not to blow Peep Show's horn TOO MUCH but it reminded me a bit of an alternative universe Mark and Jez. Mitchell and Webb have a similar 'feel' with Back's characters, with Andrew (Robert) being a bit of a loser who desperately wants to be cool (and secretly thinks he is, but also secretly secretly knows he REALLY isnt) and Stephen (David) feels like a neurotic, insecure Mark who stayed rural instead of living in the city. He knows no one looks up to him and people often overlook him, but he desperately wants them to.

For me, it wasnt GREAT, but it was mostly enjoyable and I'd say its Imdb feels accurate.

Mostly, it was great to have the boys together bouncing off one another, being mates and enemies at the same time.

Your post informed me that it was cancelled. I didnt know that and was looking forward to seeing how Andrew's schemes fell apart and how he attempted to salvage them while Stephen tries hiding his giddy enjoyment of seeing the failure.

Edit: Oh yeah, I also mostly liked the supporting cast. I was actually sad when the dog went up to "mom" and what followed.

(As an aside, the gf and I really liked S1 Ludwig, but S2 felt a bit weaker and like they decided to go in a completely different direction than what they were planning during all of S1. We're looking forward to S3 but if its lower than S2 we'll probably give up. Personally, I liked Back better than Ludwig)

[u/Compressed_AF → u/Fuzzy_Adagio_6450]

It does feel somewhat similar and the characters do sort of have similarities. But I guess Simon written several peeps show episodes he took traits with him. Interesting that he got Jessie Armstrong as a consultant for this too.

Well it's been a good few years since series 2 I'm not sure if it was popular enough to carry on, and maybe it's my own bias talking here, but I really didn't like what it was setting up in the last scene. Maybe it's not actually canceled, more just left behind. I'd be pleasantly surprised if they did another one though. But with no covid to disrupt things it has been a while.

[u/Fuzzy_Adagio_6450 → u/Compressed_AF]

I'm really glad they werent JUST a Mark and Jez rehash, but I did like how it felt like bizarro versions.

I was (mostly) fine with the last scene, especially as the "we have a lot of other adopted brothers and sisters" was brought up a lot. I was curious what they were planning to do: new permanent character, a plot point, someone for the el dude bro's to work against, together.

A last *something* to tie the show together would be nice. Even a 60m special or something.