![]() In dramas, episodes that are a half an hour or less are rare - Stephen Frears’ ” State of the Union” is a delightful exception - but “Sherlock” proved that even when adapting an enormously prolific detective, less can be more. “Schitt’s Creek” and “Ted Lasso,” which followed in “Fleabag’s” sweep marks, had longer seasons but 14 is palm-sized compared with the 23-episode average of broadcast comedies. With two seasons of six episodes under 30 minutes, “Fleabag” swept the 2019 Emmys and set the new “wee” template. In comedy, the jewel boxes are very much on display. It is the latest, and perhaps best, example of what could be called “jewel-box television,” short and often-but-not-always sweet series that focus more on exquisitely rendering an actual story arc than creating a long-running joke machine.Įasily consumed in a sitting, they sparkle in a landscape littered with far too many long (if sometimes worthy) slogs, luring the viewer into a front-to-back rewatch, the better to admire this hilarious moment, that pitch perfect delivery. That the Kohinoor is also a symbol of British oppression also applies like that diamond, “Derry Girls” reflects years of tragic, bloody conflict and still manages to be a thing of pure and shining beauty, demanding to be held to the light and viewed over and over, from one angle and then another. But it’s small only like the Kohinoor diamond is small: It may fit in the palm of your hand, but it’s still priceless. With a sum total of 19 episodes, most of which run less than a half hour, “Derry Girls” could accurately be described as a lovely wee series. It went out with a bang, so it did, with a constellation of guest stars, including Liam Neeson playing an increasingly flustered copper, Chelsea Clinton playing herself and a finale that will enter the pantheon of best closing episodes ever. It is important to keep James’ observation in mind when thinking of “Derry Girls,” which recently dropped its third and (sob) final season on Netflix. “That the people here use the word ‘wee’ to describe things that aren’t actually that small,” squawks James (Dylan Llewellyn), the school’s only boy and a British transplant. “Injustice,” shouts Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) “Prejudice,” yells Claire (Nicola Coughlan). ![]() ![]() There’s a scene in the second season of “Derry Girls” in which the cool new teacher at Our Lady Immaculate College oversees a bit of hurling practice, encouraging her students to hit the ball while thinking of something they really hate. ![]()
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