Lofted with a grounded sincerity far more genuine than a majority of its genre’s peers, the pilot for Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney’s sitcom Catastrophe is one of the most refreshing enjoyable rom-com to come in some time.
Both mature and crass, sweet-but-realistic in its approach and carried through its two affably funny leads, this Channel 4-turned-Amazon series is just the kind of agreeable laid-back charmer you and your partner want to binge following the completion of this new Orange is the New Black season. It also proves Amazon is more than capable of catapulting itself towards producing greatly nurtured original content beyond Transparent, if that wasn’t already determined.
During a brief work visit in the UK, personable American Rob Norris (Delaney) makes the adequate of local Sharon Morris (Horgan) and, after a charming conversation together at the bar over lousy service and s**ting yourself at your sister’s wedding, begin to form an affair of sorts through casual interactions and even more casual sex. It’s a spontaneous and atypically sporadic week for both of them. Although Rob’s overseas romance doesn’t so much die as much as it paves the way for new life.
32 days later, a States-returned Rob gets an unexpected call from his former fling informing him she’s pregnant with his child. Two healthy adults having sex 25 times (all while wearing a condom maybe twice) can led to such conceived accidents. So Rob flies back to the UK to discuss what exactly the two should do, and, as the reasonably good people they are, they decide they can do this without f**king up the kid too horribly — probably. “A terrible thing happened; let’s make the best of it,” Rob says, and so begins Morris and Norris’ mismatched relationship together.
Lewd but never particularly rude, and thematically stark without ever on the verge of cloying, what’s most appealing about this British import, more than anything else, is its relaxed attitude towards such life-changing matters. The gravity of each situation is felt, sure, and yet both Hogan and Delaney do an impeccable job layering each scene with warmth and nearly carefree ease. In the process, though, Horgan and Delaney — also the writers behind this episode and the five others proceeding it — smartly balance in character progression and room for development. Catastrophe very could very well have felt rushed in its narrative execution, but thanks to the leads' genuine chemistry, the smartly paced execution and the actors' comfort with their characters, it strikes a fine balance or urgency and tranquility.
The humor feels natural and real, and although Horgan and Delaney are only friends in real life, their show feels almost autobiographical in its approach. While often foul-mouthed and vulgar, the adult comedy doesn’t feel forced in any way, and there’s a clear attention to growth between these two characters that should pay off more than handsomely. Director Ben Taylor knows how to weld the different tones into a cleverly entwined package carried by fine editing and even finer attention to heart. But in the process makes each comedic beat stick, yet move it along fast enough even if it didn't. Not to mention how surprisingly sure-fired Catastrophe is at jumping headfirst into dark comedy territory without losing any fermented lightheartedness. That’s an impeccable feat of its own.
Catering both finely-tuned British wit and consistent American aplomb, Catastrophe is the best of both worlds — literally — and there's little doubt that'll change in the five episodes to come, especially since quite a few Brits already say them on the telly already. Swift, quick-witted, endearing and game to achieve, this is one finely crafted import, and one that plants fertile ground for good things to come.