Both me and my husband are thrilled that Catastrophe is back- our Tuesday nights are now complete again!
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan in Catastrophe
For those who haven't watched it yet (seriously where have you been?)- the series tells the tale of an American guy (Rob) who bumps into an Irish woman (Sharon) in a bar, they have lots of sex in the days running up to his departure back to the US. She falls pregnant and the focus is on how they navigate life as parents-to-be when they barely know anything about one another.
There is, dare I say it, a real familiarity around the dialogue in this show as I find the characters saying stuff to each other me and my husband do. I'm sure were not alone either! That's what makes this show so funny- it's unashamedly rude- but relatable. The two key characters are real and riddled with faults- but that's why we love them as viewers because they're like us or someone we know.
So what does the second instalment bring for the mostly happy couple? Rob and Sharon are still at it like rabbits, but their sex life is slightly thwarted by the appearance of their toddler while they're in the throes of spooning passion and Sharon's reluctance to put down her mug causes a pre-coitus confrontation.
Yes, the series has moved on slightly as this season dips into the life of Rob and Sharon as they're having their second child and learning to live together as real grown-ups, not just friends with benefits.
Sharon gives birth and of course the entire dysfunctional family descends. Rob's caustic mother, played by Carrie Fisher who can't stand Sharon's parents and vice versa, is more interested in looking on eBay than spending time with her new family.
Sharon's father makes a toast to the happy couple only to call his daughter by another name completely and it's revealed he has dementia. Consequently he leaves the door open and their dog gets run over- but it's ok because they 'were going to have it put down anyway.'
The slick one liners come thick and fast making this one of the best scripts in comedy- ever. So many have tried and failed so it's refreshing to finally find a show that makes you laugh more than once in one sitting.
Catastrophe admittedly touches on some pretty serious subjects, but as it teeters over the edge, the comedy is expertly inserted to relieve us of getting too bummed out.
Most couples have hosted an evening out of obligation rather than to socialise and the first episode captures the all too familiar regret and impatience perfectly.
I'm even more excited about the rest of the season having seen episode one.
The show is unapologetically naughty and crude- it says what most of us are thinking. If you haven't watched it yet then consider your life a catastrophe!
Catastrophe is on at 9pm on Tuesdays, Channel 4.
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