If I hadn't known that the second series of The Change was directed by MacKenzie Crook I wonder if I would have guessed. There is a definite vibe of his Detectorists series here, from the choice of folk music to the woodland scenes and the general countryside tone. Of course, Bridget Christie wrote this and I imagine a lot, if not all of the artistic/creative vision is hers and she is very much central. I wanted to make that point quickly and firmly because one of themes of The Change is the way women do so much in life only to be marginalised by men.*
If you haven't seen the first series the basic catch-up is that Christie's character Linda has walked out on her marriage to Steve (Omid Djalili) and set up home in a caravan in the Forest of Dean. Here she has found her place in a new alternative community. But in the first episode of the new series she is put on trial for telling a fib about not having a family when she wanted to move into the caravan.
The trial, broadcast on speakers to everyone in the surrounding area, is the centrepiece of this episode, but there is lots more going on too. Another of the Eel Sisters (don't ask) turns up, having been released from prison. Hard nut Theresa is played by Laura Checkley, who also appeared in The Detectorists.
It's not always laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes majoring more in drama than laughs, but The Change is a great series, sure to go down as one of the most distinctive comedies of the decade. Let's just say if you like Mrs Brown's Boys and yearn for the return of Phoenix Nights this might not be your cup of tea.
And Christie has certainly assembled – and reassembled – a formidable cast. Susan Lynch is back as another Eel sister Agnes, Jim Howick from Ghosts is The Verderer, doubling up as court stenographer during the court scenes. Jerome Flynn is Pig Man, who has gone utterly off grid. Tanya Moodie plays artist, feminist and DJ Joy. There is so much going on that names of the calibre of Liza Tarbuck and Monica Dolan have little more than a few lines in this first episode.
Oh, and Paul Whitehouse pops up in the pub again as unreconstructed old grump Tony, this time moaning about how men are funnier than women. Tony clearly needs to watch The Change and then he might, erm, change his mind.
The Change, Tuesdays from March 25, 10pm, C4 and all avaiulable on C4 website now.
Picture: Jon Hall/Expectation TV/Channel4
*Christie is now credited as co-director.
