Green Wing - Series 1 DVD > Reviews > Comedy at its finest

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	its hilariously funny
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I remember when the trailers for the soon-to-air first series of Green Wing appeared on our screens. I thought that they gave off a good image, of a could-be great show. However, I missed the first episode and only remembered the next day when I heard my friends talking about it. I quickly asked if it was good expected my friend to scream 'good? good? is was amazing!!' but no, sadly, they said 'its ok I guess, a bit rubbish'. Well, I decided that it cant have been that good, and didnt bother to watch the series.

However, after I started watching the second series, I realised what I was missing, and the series 1 DVD set was bought for me for christmas (Thank you Mike!!). Pretty handy really, or I wouldnt have been able to review it.

The box comes in a sturdy plastic sleeve, and the 'box' itself folds out to reveal 3 discs. Each disc has 3 episodes on it along with extras. I was very impressed to see that the series had 9 episodes, considering most sit-coms have series of 6-8 episodes. This allows stories to develop more thoroughly, and at a more realistic pace. Each episode lasts for just over 50 minutes which, again, is something that few sitcoms manage to do.

The show is set in a hospital, with characters working in many different departments. Despite being set in a hospital, patients are rarely seen in the series, and the on-goings between the staff members are the main focus.

Characters:

Caroline Todd - She is a new employee at the hospital and is having problems fitting in. She is a very masculine character but her feminine side develops over the series, as a little love and romance creeps into the hospital.
Caroline's character allows the audience to relate to the show, since the hospital is new to the audience aswell.

Mac - A great surgeon with a big heart, he is still recovering from his last relationship in which he was hurt very badly. Throughout the series we see Mac learn to trust and love women again. He is very quick-witted with some sarcastic comment always waiting in the wing. Can be slightly immature, but thats all part of his boyish charm.

Guy - An obvious womaniser who thinks he is gods gift to the world. His best friend is Mac although he would never admit it. Guy has big problems when it comes to expressing emotions. He is also very immature most of the time, with little acknowledgement or respect for anyone else. The series sees him develop into a man ready for commitment.

Martin - A feeble shadow of a man, he is easily bossed around by everyone. His lack of self-esteem can only be blamed by his lack of love from his mother, who has all but rejected him. He grows in love with Caroline throughout the series but feels he is unable to tell her.

Joanna - an aging woman in denial of her real age. She dresses and behaves like a care-free young woman in order to delude herself. She is unaware of peoples true opinions of her and believes that she is highly attractive to younger men. She is also unappreciative of all the love that is given to her.

Alan - a stuttering mess of a man who looks down upon most people who work around him. He is madly in love with Joanna who constantly fails to return his love and affection. He lacks social skills ultimately meaning he has no friends.

Sue - Is a highly unique individual who is infatuated with Mac. She takes every opportunity to ridicule and mock people she is supposed to be helping. She has no scruples and will happily make other peoples lives a misery.

Last but by no means least, are the human resources girls
4 women who seem to do everything but work. They spend most of the day creating challenges for each, and mocking Joanna, their boss. They are set apart from the rest of the medical staff, and also the humour based around these women is somewhat different from that seen by the other members of staff.

Overall the humour in the series is mainly sarcasm, irony and slapstick. There are underlying plots that continue throughout the series with lots of tiny subplots.

So on with the show!
Disc 1 (episodes 1-3)
We are introduced to Caroline Todd, at her first day of work at a new hospital. We are also gradually introduced to the other characters on her tour around the departments. As Caroline's day worsens, the audience starts to question the morals of the other staff members.
We soon discover who the 'normal' people are and who will be turn the simplest of things into the craziest.

Caroline is again having a terrible day. Mainly due to Guy, and his complete lack of morals. But just as we think we have Guy sussed, he surprises us. Do we really know Guy at all?! During this time, a 'love' story is emerging between Alan and Joanna. However, its clear that this is no ordinary relationship...

Disc 2 (episodes 4-6)
Caroline decides to throw a big house party. As the evening draws closer, stress seems to be setting in. As caroline and martin worry about what to wear, Sue is more orried about receiving an invite. A lot of sexual tension can be seen in several characters. But how far will anybody will they go?!

The day after the party Caroline seems to be suffering badly. With little recolection of the previous nights events shes at a loss with the status of relations between her colleagues. Martin is also having a bad day. He has his final exams today, and is cramming to the best of his ability, but with plenty of distractions, we are left wondering if he manages to pass them. There is also a big pregnancy scare, but who believes theyre pregnant?

Disc 3 (episodes 7-9)
Martins exam results are here, to make him yet more nervous. After a day of procrastination, the results are finally revealed. Whilst caroline's and Mac's 'relationship' progresses slowly, Joanna's and Alan's, seems to be on a very slippery slope. However, Mac isn't the only one that has a thing for Caroline. On the other hand, Mac is soon to leave for a new job in Sheffield and is successfully managing to avoid any definitive relationship with Caroline. Will Mac go?!

The last episode in the series, shows a finality to Caroline's and Mac's 'relationship'. Well, I wont spoil it for you... Theres a cliffhanger for almost all of the characters, whilst a lot of loose ends are neatly tied up.