If the vision of Phoebe Waller-Bridge holding all her Emmys isn’t indication enough that she’s an absolute genius, watch Fleabag. Be it comedy, tragedy, family drama, romance or fourth-wall breaking, Fleabag’s got it all.
The admirable economy of the show, with 12 half-hour episodes, is a great strength, even if it means there’s less of it for us. We watch our awkward and confused protagonist, Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) go through her misadventures accompanied by her razor-sharp running commentary. In the first season, Fleabag’s relationship with sex is at the centre of the story. Watching a female character be completely unapologetic about their desires and need for validation is refreshing and incredibly necessary.
Waller-Bridge gives an honest portrait of sibling life ing her relationship with her sister, Claire (Sian Clifford). Their scenes accentuate Fleabag’s loneliness, foreshadowing the end of season one. In the second season, Fleabag continues her recovery process while falling in love. The star of the show (and the year) is Andrew Scott, credited as just ‘The Priest’, but we know better. Hot Priest took our summer by storm. Their romance is one of the best in the decade, from their conversations on religion to that steamy confessional scene. The final scene with them brings Fleabag’s arc to a comforting and heartbreaking close.
Fleabag’s ingenuity lies in its fourth-wall breaking. Compared to The Office or House of Cards, Fleabag’s conversation with the camera is a destructive project: she performs her life for others, minimising her pain to make them laugh. When she finally stops, it is a poignant moment. Even though it’s over for us, you feel a wave of relief for her sake. She’ll be okay.
