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By
ALEXIA ARGYROU
I wish American TV was as
brave when it comes to issues of death as the BBC.
Just compare Waiting for God with the
"inspirational" tripe that infests our TV screens,
stuff about angels and other BS, designed to lull
the gullible into thinking they will live forever.
Waiting for God takes place in the Bayview
Retirement Village. There, Tom (Graham Crowden) meets Diana
(Stephanie Cole), a
spirited old gal who is perpetually in a dour mood
as she expects death to arrive soon. The two form a friendship
that includes romantic and sexual tension, and help each other out.
Recurring peripheral characters include Tom's son
and daughter-in-law and a retirement home worker
that constantly gets on Diana's nerves because
she's persistently cheerful.
This is season two and it includes 11 episodes: Tom and Diana
become bored with attending funerals;
Tom dates a new resident; while Diana insists they
are just friends, she decides she doesn't romantic competition; Diana is accused of shoplifting; Diana's niece announces her wedding
but Diana does not like the groom; Diana's niece's wedding is pending
but Diana is in the hospital; the despicable
retirement home manager plans to cut costs; Tom's
son leaves his wife and
moves in with Tom; a vicar has a
nervous breakdown during a funeral; Tom's son leaves the kids to watched by Tom and Diana;
and Diana decides to get a job. Extra features
include a featurette, cast bios and trailers.
The irreverence with which Tom and Diana await
their demise is infectious. This is black humor at
its lightest and -- dare I say it? -- most inspiring. |
