Funny, thought proving and strangely uplifting. There has been a lot of love put into making this series from the story, script, acting and down to the wonderful original score.
The series deals with serious and dark themes but through the lens of a caricatured village - such that these things can be explored through humour and not hit too hard. But when the moments do hit they fully land.
Themes of community, in/out crowds, living up to expectations, being true to oneself, love of/duty to others, the weight of secrets, the need to belong, the power of being heard/seen properly, and friendship. (and ice cream)
Time flew by watching this. And it's only on reflection after that some of the themes and metaphors come out. I think that's quite smart.
Acting is great and the humour is done very well.
I would say some of the caricatures were a bit too much for me which meant that I didn't always fully engage - like the chip shop man (who's complexity I initially liked but then he was sidelined fairly quickly and dully) or the ex chief police officer (too much blaming others and not enough introspection - or atleast some exploration of why he was so angry at the young girls despite knowing his role in it).
My favourite moments (and I suspect the writer's too) were the quiet but full moments. When family members bolster each other ("hold your nerve") or when friends come through and share ice creams. These had beautiful sound tracks and atmospheric scenes. Backdrops of coastal landscapes and moody skies. The beauty in the everyday.
