I never saw this on TV but bought the box set two weeks ago, not entirely sure I was going to like it. By the second episode I was completely hooked, and have watched the entire series in record time. Something about it makes it totally unputdownable. The writing is brilliant; I often found myself laughing out loud and then close to tears within one and the same episode. Despite being beyond the age bracket at which I gather the programme was targeted, unmarried and having no children I could still identify with the characters. I think that at one time or another I either empathized or became exasperated with each of them in turn.
The acting is superb throughout, and in the last two episodes it positively took my breath away. Hermione Norris in particular was absolutely extraordinary; why her acting ability doesn't seem to be given the recognition it deserves, I cannot imagine. By the end of the show, I think all the other characters were somewhat in the shadow of hers - which is a massive tribute to her and takes nothing at all away from the excellent work of the others.
There are too many comic highlights to mention, but I particularly appreciated David trying to get his baby son off to sleep by reading stock market reports, Pete's mum being introduced to the joys of smoking cannabis and the mens' ability to play decent golf being affected by the vagaries of their sex lives.
I can't recommend this strongly enough - it really is a television masterpiece.
