HBO’s new star-studded comedy from creator Armando Iannucci is on the face of it a large scale, sci-fi comedy, but like many Iannucci shows, it is much more about the characters and their interactions and situations they get themselves in, and that is where it thrives.
Following a reasonably slow start, the show really found its feet and became consistently engaging and entertaining series. The writing, as you would expect, is packed full with stinging one liners and distinct characters with unique personalities.
The whole cast are good, and they especially work together well. Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad are the two big name stars, and they both fit their characters very well, with Laurie especially being able to shine as the show goes along. However, this is very much an ensemble, with people like Zach Woods and Lenora Crichlow more than holding their own alongside their more famous fellow leads.
The season had a strong finale with a big cliffhanger that immediately sets up the status quo for an already commissioned second season. Iannucci is very much now one of the all time great comedy writers, and I look forward to what he continues to produce.
Howe's World of Film and TV 