Indeed, “This Country” is like a fragile little bird that everyone fears will simply flop over and die at any moment, thanks primarily to its delightful sibling creators, Daisy May and Charlie Cooper. Honestly, every new series makes me hold my breath, wondering if the poor thing will succumb to the inevitable forces of water-cooler banter and industry mediocrity. It’s like watching a toddler play with a live grenade—amusing, but you can’t shake that twinge of anxiety.
As the final series of this charming BBC mockumentary graced our screens, I exhaled a sigh of relief—yet again! I’m chalking it up to sheer talent, akin to how Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant once charmed the pants off us in “The Office.” The Coopers strut in their Adidas trainers like seasoned tightrope walkers, expertly juggling that delicate balance between comedy and tragedy, hope and despair, and outrageously relatable and, let’s face it, painfully awkward adult life.
The opening episode introduces an extra, rather tragic obstacle: the untimely passing of Michael Sleggs, who played the gloriously underachieving Slugs. The good Rev Francis (Paul Chahidi), ever the optimistic beacon of decency, breaks this solemn news. Kerry and Kurtan’s reaction is equally heartwarming and hilariously sad as they recount how Slugs had hawked them into a zombie escape room adventure—only to inconveniently croak the day before. “Kind of a relief,” Kurtan quips, displaying his unique blend of sweet naiveté and brutal honesty. Bless their souls.
But as they say, one man’s end is another’s beginning. Kerry’s plunged into the exciting world of local dumpster diving—sorry, I mean, job hunting—thanks to what she aptly describes as “unforeseen financial circumstances.” You can almost smell the joy emanating from her as she details her venture into alpaca farming for pillow stuffing, which she confidently declares as “physically my largest mistake.” Kurtan, ever the diligent caretaker, assumes the responsibility of looking after her house and mother. Yes, dear readers, he’s really “turning” things around, quite literally—asking her smoke-ruined mum if she wants to be turned. Charming.
The inevitable sibling spat ensues, proving that even dysfunctional relatives can provide riveting entertainment. As old grudges resurface, Kurtan voices what we all think at times: “I can’t move on till I’ve seeked vengeance, unfortunately.” His delightful blend of wronged righteousness and endearing simplicity cements him as a character you can root for (even as he plots his petty revenge). The ending scenes get you every time, sneakily extracting tears while you’re too busy giggling.
Later into the series, we get to meet Kerry’s extraordinary father—the very embodiment of ordinary monstrosity—and witness the gala of cringe that ensues. Kurtan earns his provisional license, blissfully planning a sushi pilgrimage until he notices Kerry’s very expressive “don’t you dare” face. It’s a comedy festival, people! Let’s not forget Mandy, whose chaotic presence is nothing short of “casually terrifying.” Then there’s Kurtan’s inexplicably deep-seated rage against June and her lawn; apparently, having a well-tended garden is a cardinal sin in this gathering of Cotswold’s finest.
With six impeccably crafted half-hour episodes, “This Country” captures the absurdity of human existence through a lens that manages to be painfully relatable. This final series digs deeper into character development—which let’s be honest, we all need at this point—and brings an array of societal woes to the forefront without skimping on humor. You’ll find yourself reluctantly rejoining reality once the credits roll, and for just a moment, you’ll be left wondering if that baby bird is still soaring or has met its unfortunate demise.
