The comic series revolves around the lives of a group of strangers living on the margins of society. Over time, these strangers began to believe that society still ostracized them and underestimated them, as they were fighting a war against everything. It is a different comedy series written and directed by Ricky Gervais.
With its own take on awkward pauses, misapprehensions and failed humor, Derek is actually just Gervais' latest angle on square pegs in a round-hole world.
So far the series seems to be a very sweet, beautifully realised little drama with the odd bit of humour--this is not some backhanded compliment, if anything it€™s real praise.
Some schools of criticism hold that an author's intentions are as unimportant as his biography. In this case, smart viewers will just let themselves enjoy the lumps in their throats and the tears in their eyes.
Oddly, in fact, it's Derek's redeeming qualities that are the hardest to take - a sense of self-congratulation at the refinement of its own sentiments that has a little bit of the bully in it too.
While the format may seem a bit too familiar, the character of Derek is a breath of fresh air from the egotistical, often obnoxious leads of past projects and it's his sunny charm that really sucks you to into the show.
Gervais is perfectly earnest in what he's set out to do with "Derek," and his heart is in the right place, but in trying to do right by these characters he ends up in danger of condescending to both them and the audience.
