#subtle comedy

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At least that’s what I thought when I was looking through the cast of what I thought was a purely Japanese show. So...yes...I was quite surprised to see Kelly in the credits.

If that was how you pitched ‘Giri/Haji’ (aka Duty/Shame) to me...that would have been enough to convince me to watch at least one of the (non ‘MA’ of course) scenes.

So it was quite a delight to see that it’s actually a UK-Japan co-production. At least that’s what I thought...apparently this was more of a BBC-Netflix one.

The biggest reason I haven’t given myself fully to the show is its rating. I am basically on guard to when I need to skip a scene. And there’s also the pace. I wouldn’t call it excruciatingly slow. ‘Rectify’ has been called that by some viewers...yet each episode I am riveted. I can say that it is the kind of show that I would watch while having a meal.

Even then....

I was so surprised with Takehiro Hira’s screen presence (share a laugh with me as you open his IMDB page with him smiling --- so...wow...awesome casting). Really! I mean...scenes with him pondering or just looking off the distance...just work. The other actor that comes to mind is Bill Camp for his performance in ‘The Looming Tower‘.

Another reason the show works is Sarah and Rodney serve as sources of the humour rather than Kenzo (who also towers both of them).

What about the critics? Lucy Mangan from The Guardian has a similar view (”...crime show is all killer and no thriller”). NPR recognises the bit that got my attention (”Unlike Anything Else On TV”).

Could this be a show that isn’t overtly comedic...that would end up having me returning for is comedy? I think so.

Parents: With how the edits go usually...you might not have enough warning to skip scenes...so....you might want to keep a timestamp notes as you watch all episodes.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

(27:12) - Rodney bursting out of Kenzo’s room telling Sarah to keep it down.

Kenzo sleeping outside Rodney’s flat

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Index:

Episode 1 -

Episode 2 -

Episode 3 - 

Episode 4 - 

Episode 5 - 

Episode 6 - 

Episode 7 - 

Episode 8 -

General Quotes:

Another Gem

My verdict of the episode: 6/10 (The humour really is the one to thank)

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while I was looking through José Zúñiga's filmography, I realised that he hasn't yet managed to have that defining role. I'm going to guess that it's either his appearances in CSI...that was when I started to recognise him. But I guess I will never know?

I was looking through my notes and seems like this is one of the rare instances that comedy isn’t intertwined within the scenes. Max with his throat bothering him during a most in-opportune time (being profiled by a journalist who has unrestricted access to follow him around).

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HIGHLIGHT:

INT. NEW AMSTERDAM (WAITING ROOM) - DAY

IGGY sits next to RHONDA. Bloodied shirt and head in hand, nothing left to give.

IGGY PTSD.

The aunt considers this.

RHONDA I'm not a soldier. I haven't been to war.

IGGY PTSD can occur from any traumatic event.

Still not buying.

IGGY Seeing your nephew get shot, that would be more than enough. But it most likely triggered other traumatizing memories for you.

The information is being absorbed. Still on the fence though.

IGGY It can make sleeping hard.

She shifts in her seat.

IGGY Sudden noises can be jarring.

He knows he's getting through. She hangs her head and focuses on the handtowel she's holding

IGGY Same thing happened to my kids.

The head is up. She's more open...and listening.

IGGY We, uh, we adopted them from Bangladesh two years ago.

She slowly turns to him, and they lock eyes. Definetely not what she was expecting he'd say. But he doesn't notice this, as he is already lost in the memory he's replaying.

IGGY When we first got them here, they were terrified.

He glances at her. The pain of having to go through that with his kids, evident in his brows and eyes.

IGGY Of everything.

This hits her and her eyes gloss over. Lost in moments when she was at a similar frame of mind...she slowly looks away.

IGGY Car horns, school bells.

He sighs.

IGGY Crowded spaces, everything. They were just...petrified.

He looks at her. Earnest. Nodding.

She finds his eyes again.

IGGY All five of us slept in the same bed for months. And they would just wake themselves crying.

Her eyes start to water.

IGGY Night after night after night.

She starts nodding.

IGGY When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?

She tries to look for a thread of an answer...

RHONDA Never.

The tears are threatening to come. But experience has made her get used to being the strong one, so she fights it. Even if it's like trying to stop a dam from overflowing. She is the adult in this, right?

RHONDA I just thought that was life.

IGGY It doesn't have to be.

She looks at him. Ready to believe but still not wanting to let herself.

IGGY I can help you.

She sighs. Still making an effort to hold back that dam.

IGGY And you can help Malik.

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My verdict of the episode: 7/10

Link to the timestamp commentary: TBA