Amazon SN #1- "The Detectorists"

In the past I’ve posted seven Netflix Streaming Nuggets (Netflix SN), or somewhat obscure streaming videos on the service that I particularly enjoyed, and kind of ignored Amazon Prime, which we’ve been members of for about three years now. So no more! I recently came across a relatively new British comedy on Prime that I'd like to recommend.

This particular Amazon Stream Nugget (SN) falls into the category of TV. Which isn’t a coincidence, as Amazon has made a noticeable effort during the last two years to beef up their Prime TV content. And to my pleasure, their classic TV content (whereas Netflix, in general, has done the opposite).    

The Detectorists

The first show I’d like to highlight is “The Detectorists", a British comedy that started in 2014, and is the brainchild of 46 year-old actor Mackenzie Crook, best known for his work in the British version of “The Office” and a few of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In addition to creating the series, Crook also wrote, directed and co-starred in all 19 episodes to date. And in 2015 he won a BAFTA (British entertainment award) for best TV comedy for his efforts.

In a nutshell, the show primarily focuses on the lives of two eccentric metal detectorists, who spend their days plodding in open fields hoping to find a fortune of a lifetime. In a way, it borrows from the Seinfeld formula of “a show about nothing”, and simply follows the everyday lives of the show’s characters.

Andy and Becky

Crook’s metal-detecting partner is the superb British character actor Toby Jones, who’s been seen in various movies in recent years. The two belong to a detectorist society group, who meet at least once per show and itself consists of quite a cast of characters. The plot also focuses on the relationship between Crook’s character Andy and his wife Becky and their up and down, but deeply rooted marriage, as well as Jones’s character Lance and his relationship with his long lost daughter who has recently resurfaced. One of the more humorous aspects of the show is the rivalry Andy and Lance have with two other bumbling detectorists, who they sarcastically refer to as “Simon and Garfunkel” because of their striking resemblance to the popular singing duo. The four are constantly battling for the rights to survey highly desirable property.  Pretty funny stuff. The humor in general is dry, subtle, and sporadic.  But it’s there.  And a lot of it is understandably British.  So, like many British shows, you’re either going to like it or not. There’s no real middle ground here!

"Simon and Garfunkel"

“The Detectorists” features excellent writing and acting across the board, which in turn results in top notch character development. As a result, I think I primarily find myself watching just to see what happens to these people next. They actually kind of grow on you in a way. The soundtrack, and particularly the haunting theme song, perfectly fits the show's premise.

The show also brilliantly throws a hook into the water midway through the first season.  In one of the early shows, it is revealed that the property that they obtained exclusive rights to detect on may have been the home of an ancient castle and could contain some lost treasure that was buried somewhere on it prior to the castle being invaded and overtaken. But they, and we, don’t really know for sure.  Are our trusty detectorists on a wild goose chase or not? Then, towards the end of the first season, we are given insight that Andy and Lance don’t get the benefit of having.  A flashback confirms the events of the castle takeover and shows the treasure being buried in a section somewhere on the vast property, before returning us to the current day.  The camera, still focused on the treasure, now begins to pan upward, breaking through the ground surface, and showing the detectorists several hundred yards off into the distance.  So now we know what they don’t:  the treasure does exist and they are close.  But will they ever actually find it?  Ah, that’s the hook!  You have to continue watching to find out!  And no, I’m not going to tell you! 

The show just completed its third season last fall, and, according to Crook in one of the documentaries about the show, that it could be it. However, he said he won’t know for sure until he takes some time off to do other things. Regardless, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up with The Detectorists!