Ever Decreasing Circles

The first time I tried to watch this show I must have been in a bad mood, but I could not stand Richard Briers' character Martin and gave up after about 2 episodes.

Many years later (about 15-20) I was given the DVDs and decided to give it another go. Glad I did, it is bloody brilliant, my partner and I basically binge watched it over a few weeks, close to one of the best shows I have every watched.

So as the saying goes, if you at first you do not succeed, do not give up, second time round can be the charm and what you thought was a pigs ear can turn out to be a gem.

This is a GEM of a show. So many brilliant characters. All those featured on the poster are the ones, bloody brilliant.

Easy 9/10 and really probably a 10.

Apart from Only Fools and Horses there is no better mainstream 80s comedy than this, on the surface it's the usual middle class suburban fare with clichéd characters but is a whole lot deeper, cleverer and funnier than that.

Richard Bryers gives his best comedy performance, quality support from Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan is well cast as his foil Paul. Then of course the shows light relief in the form of 'his and hers' outfits, Howard and Hilda.

The show exists in very ordinary unspectacular surroundings of a London suburb but no shame there, as thats pretty much the situation most of us live in. Much of the comedy derives from Martin Bryce's (Byrers) insecurity as he see's Paul as the threat to his quiet little corner of England.

The brilliance of this series is demonstrated by the fact that when it was shown on the same Sunday evenings as Only Fools and Horses the eminently forgettable programme sandwiched in between "Howard's Way" recorded amazing viewing figures also. The premise of the series which centred on the angst of a pedantic control freak, was hard to pull off but Richard Briers was amazing in the role which was the entire hub of the series. The support cast was also brilliant with an amazing rapport between all the players. I have to say I laughed out loud at the one damning review here which couldn't see the joke in Howard saying to Hilda:

"Come on dear, we best go home now or we'll miss the shipping forecast."

"Why do we always listen to the shipping forecast Howard?"

"Because it leads us nicely into the news dear."

If he couldn't see the humour in that he must have had a good deal in common with Briers' character Martin Brice who could never see the humour in anything. That was what made it so funny.

What makes Ever Decreasing Circles so charming and fascinating ? Basically, it's the old world values of love and fidelity.

Martin, fastidiously played by Richard Briars, is a man struggling against his own mediocrity. We can all recognise his situation and the men whose lives mirror his, he tries so hard at everything but his best is never quite good enough, while the charmer Paul, oily played by Peter Egan, achieves everything with effortless ease.

It's a play and a counter-play of a man who struggles through life compared to a man who is gifted by nature.

What redeems Martin from a lifetime of ennui is that he is married to Anne, played by the simply gorgeous Penelope Wilton. Would be Hollywood actresses should note that Penelope Wilton manages to convey as much sex appeal through a smile as do many talentless actresses through heaving bosoms.

Anne is the rose in Martin's life and we are left with the feeling that Martin wakes up everyday thanking God for giving him such a wife.

What gives the show its appeal is that although Anne is undoubtedly attracted by Paul and his charm , she remains loyal to Martin.

Ever Decreasing Circles tells us that there is still a place for Fidelity in married life and the World.

Very popular on first airing (1984 ish) but now fairly unheard of and rarely repeated on UK terestrial television. Great Sit-com, not a huge classic but very watchable, especially for the ridiculously smooth Peter Egan and wound too tight Richard Briers.