Derek: Living on the Margins

Ricky Gervais is well-known for his comedies. The Office, Extras, and Life's Too Short all had moments of pathos, but ultimately they were focused on making people laugh. Gervais' latest series, Derek, is much more of a comedy-drama, with equal emphasis on making you laugh and making you cry.

Gervais plays Derek Noakes, a possibly autistic man who works in an old age home. It's patently obvious that Derek is "different," but Gervais has been clear that he isn't going to diagnose this character. Derek is 50 but still retains a childlike innocence and wonder about the world around him. And his predominant characteristic is kindness. He treats everyone like his best friend, particularly the elderly people he works with, and is a ray of sunshine in potentially gloomy surroundings.

The supporting cast includes Gervais' longtime collaborator Karl Pilkington who plays the home's caretaker, Dougie. Pilkington initially seems to be doing his usual shtick but as the series progresses, he is becoming a much more interesting character who is not afraid to speak his mind and stick up for Derek and the home's much put-upon manager, Hannah. Kerry Godliman lights up every scene she's in and imbues Hannah with all the grace and patience you would want in a manager of an old age home. Hannah is dedicated to the elderly people under her care and as the home faces budget cuts, she pours her heart and soul into her work, sometimes at the expense of her personal life.

Derek is concerned with examining the lives of people living on the margins of society. The last episode involved a young teenager who was forced to volunteer at the home after she was caught for shoplifting. Over time, Hannah manages to scratch away at the girl's tough exterior and discover a young woman who just wants to be told that she's good at something. The show also focuses on senior citizens and their desire to lead productive lives even if they've been forgotten by their families. Of course, people don't live forever and much of the drama in Derek is the result of a longtime resident passing away.

Derek is a sweet show about the everyday life of people you don't often see on television. It's currently airing every Wednesday on Channel 4, but US viewers will get to watch it on Netflix later this year. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's certainly worth a viewing.