Crashing (UK)

Crashing (UK) is an eclectic and optimistic comedy-drama television series that sprang up from the genius writing of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the highly acclaimed creator of award-winning displays like Fleabag and Killing Eve. The British series, broadcasted initially on Channel 4 in 2016, offers a refreshing look into the complexities of adult relationships, the absurdities of youth and the eccentricities that define the lives of its core participants.

This short, witty series runs across six episodes of approximately twenty minutes each. It is set in a disused hospital in London, which has been repurposed into an unconventional living space for a mix of property guardians. The unique choice of location adds another palpable character to the series, looming over the ensemble with old-time charm and an ever-present sense of understated dilapidation. This idiosyncratic setup helps to create an interesting juxtaposition of a milieu against the lives of young adults and adds nuance to its unconventional narrative.

Crashing revolves around six main characters, all inhabiting different ends of the personality spectrum and striving to handle their individual complications amid the shared living space. The setting fosters both synergy and conflict amongst them. From old school friends to new roommates, a myriad of relationships unfurl in the corridors of the repurposed hospital.

The core of these characters is Lulu (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), a free-spirited, ill-disciplined eccentric who ventures into London unannounced to reconnect with her childhood friend, Anthony. To the dismay of Anthony's fiancée, Kate, the very ordered and predictably boring event planner, Lulu moves into the hospital after making everyone believe she too has been made a property guardian.

Anthony is an affable, easygoing chef who is simultaneously attracted to the spontaneity that Lulu brings into his life and the security that his relationship with Kate offers. His struggle to find balance forms a prominent thread across the episodes of Crashing.

The shared living space is a melting pot of unusual characters. There's Sam, the lovable clod and a struggling artist who is striving to understand his sudden inclination towards his male roommate, Fred. Then there's the middle-aged divorcee, Colin, trying his best to keep up with this young brigade while handling his romantic interest in fellow housemate Melody, an eccentric French artist who finds beauty in the impossibly grotesque.

The writing of Crashing is both smart and delightfully comedic, filled with witty dialogues that consistently hit the right notes. The misunderstandings, heartbreaks and dilemmas faced by the core characters are brilliantly handled and beautifully portrayed, with the humorous undertone serving to lighten their load.

While the series masterfully builds up the eccentricities of its characters, it also offers an equally lovable approach to their personal growth. It questions conventional beliefs and traditions about love and relationships, spotlighting the beauty of self-discovery and exploration. Each member of this housing scheme unravels their personality, discovering things about themselves they never knew existed.

Despite the numerous storylines and character arcs unfolding, Crashing never feels overwhelming. It maintains a brisk pace and the weaving of these narratives never comes at the expense of the series' strong humorous approach. The character development is both intriguing and satisfying, keeping the audience engaged and invested throughout.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with the actors fully immersing themselves into the roles assigned. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, in particular, sparkles in her portrayal of Lulu, offering a near-perfect blend of crazy, vulnerable and audacious in equal measures. The chemistry amongst the characters is built with authenticity, thus adding credence to their shared history and current predicaments.

Crashing is distinctive in its narrative, eccentric in character development, and endearing in the story it chooses to tell. Its unique, unconventional setting offers opportunities for rich storytelling and memorable encounters between characters. The show, in its short run time, successfully portrays a scope of human relationships with refreshing humor and emotional depth. Disused hospitals have probably never been as entertaining and enlightening as they are in Crashing. It’s a recommended watch for fans of British comedy, contemporary drama, and anyone who appreciates clever and witty narrative storytelling.