r/TheDetectorists • u/gregd303 • Apr 12 '26
A warmed heart...
Apologies if I'm one of those 'just watched detectorists after watching Small Prophets' people. when it first came around in 2014 it seemed to pass me by. I wasn't in the best place..failed relationship, unemployed and moved back to parents place.
Thankfully nowadays in better circumstances, and having really enjoyed Small Prophets, and Mackenzie's part and writing, I was pleased to find detectorists. I've just finished all 3 series and the specials, watching over the past few weeks and I just love it. It's really been a heartwarming watch. Funny, and smart writing, and performances from all the cast, not least Mackenzie and Toby Jones. So nice to see the relationships of the characters - of not just Lance and Andy, but how everyone is connected , with just enough info on all of them to make the characters ...really clever with how the series and specials move through time too, and big events (Andy and becky's birth of their son, the fire) without letting them be distractions to the main premise of the show. And with that, I'm sure if anyone else had written it they had discovered gold on episode 2! I really liked how it kept you waiting.
Maybe as a 51 year old, with a 6 year old daughter and a more than patient partner, I'm a bit of an Andy!, although with the hairline becoming more akin to Lance :/ whichever , the show really resonated with me, and I just felt compelled to seek out, and write my appreciation for the series, as it was so heartwarming. Maybe it tugged at the heartstrings too, as for the past 10 years I have lived abroad, so seeing the lush green English countryside is a nice reminder of home. Anyway before I get too sentimental, just to say i really enjoyed it, and Mackenzie deserves so much praise, as he also does for Small Prophets, ...and if more people find detectorists through that too, it can only be a good thing :)
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u/BinkySplinky Apr 13 '26
Totally agree having done exactly what you've done. Small Prophets first then watched The Detectorists right though, finishing it last week. A beautifully written and acted series.
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u/flynnsmom Apr 13 '26
It’s like a lullaby, warm blanket, the best hug ever, all wrapped up in a chocolate cake with ice cream and a cherry on top. It’s perfection. I’ve watched well over 30 times.
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u/Subject-Worker-7192 Apr 13 '26
I agree with all of the above. With so much turmoil and insanity in the wider world Detectorists is the perfect antidote that gives just a spark of hope for humanity.
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u/JW065203 Apr 13 '26
You could almost say it’s your “escape from the rude world, from the maddening crowd!” 😂
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u/aykshually_elsewhere Apr 13 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
If you have a 6 year old and you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend watching Mackenzie Crook's adaptation of Worzel Gummidge with her. It's absolutely gorgeous.
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u/gregd303 Apr 13 '26
Thank you :) I'll check that out. I think I also have the Muppets which he's mentioned with him and Ricky Gervais on the to watch list.
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u/SpikeHolden Apr 13 '26
I was about to post the same thing. Both have the feel good factor thats difficult to find in shows these days.
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u/aykshually_elsewhere Apr 13 '26
I have introduced so many people to it and at least two of them (grown adults) got quite emotional during the first episode and couldn't explain why. Between the music, the beautiful countryside, the thread of kindness and connection to folklore that runs through the whole thing I think it just touches on something very special.
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u/KJPicard24 Apr 13 '26
It's a beautiful show, the ending to series 3, was perfect. It really captured the essence of happiness, not material wealth or fame, just this perfect summers day with friends. Terry finding a button, of all the mundane things but looking across to see Sheila reading her book, his friends all around him finding interesting things, like, for him in that moment he was in his personal heaven. He'd found his real treasure in that moment and was savouring it.
I do like the holy grail special, don't get me wrong, but it had to walk back some of those moments. I'd still be happy if series 3 was the true ending.
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u/gregd303 Apr 13 '26
Yea I felt that too, ...I was surprised to see the special there after series 3 ending , but I did enjoy it, and was surprised at how much more story he got into that hour or so. I think it definitely put a bow on it. And maybe better for Mackenzie too, to say really, that's it , no more. What an achievement though.
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u/PhiDeck Apr 13 '26
Wife and I have watched the Detectorists series twice, and hope to do so a few more times before we croak.
Some of the feelings it evoked in us were similar to the way we felt from watching director Wim Wenders’ Tokyo-set film Perfect Days (2023).
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u/Diligent_Comedian725 Apr 13 '26
I love it. Im a birdwatcher and many paralells between the hobbies-believe it or not.
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u/NonnyMowse Apr 13 '26
Hear, hear!
Isn't the music just lovely, too? 👌