Rating: I would give this first episode 8/10 as it gives you an idea of the characters and a flavour for the comedy that follows later in the series. Almost like a flexing of the muscles type episode there are little laugh out loud moments but a fair few chuckles. There is a number of visual humours in there such as when Jen opens a toilet door on to find a bare arsed bearded bloke sat down.

Story: Reynolm declares war on 'stress' and invites a 'stress expert' to talk to the staff about it. Roy and Moss who by this point in the series are known for an unusual way of living life irritate the expert to the point that he becomes more than just stressed. Elsewhere Jen becomes infatuated with a pair of red shoes which are beautiful in her eyes despite being several sizes too small for her.

Rating: For me this is the most complete episode of the lot and nothing short of 10/10 gives this episode justice. The storyline unravels really well where Bill Crouse goes round telling everyone that he was the last person to sleep with her when in actual fact there was no such action and then is freaked by the sudden appearances of Jen, such as the moment I mentioned in the first paragraph of this review.

Story: Aunt Irma is the term used to describe Jen's time of the month. Unfortunately for Moss and Roy they believe they too have been caught up in the cycle after suffering the same symptoms. The far fetched ness doesn't stop there when Moss sends an e-mail out to everyone telling them about his and Roys problems. To counteract the difficulties this brings, i.e. socially, they all have a girls night in that culminates in a night out where they all get seriously drunk with harrowing consequences…..

Pictures of The IT Crowd - Series 1 (DVD)

This picture shows what the DVD menu looks like, spoofing old video games

I think, primarily the scripts are decent, they really bring the characters out and each character although uniquely different mix well together. But for me the standout feature is the quality of acting from the main characters to the ones like Adam Buxton who only appear for one episode. Chris Morris, star in his own right from programmes such as Brass Eye, is an absolute revelation as extreme manager Deynolm Reynolm. I don't think anyone else could laugh out loud to himself and say "I was just enjoying this cup of tea". It's that sort of humour all the way through. Katherine Parkinson as Jen is another inspired move; she plays the character brilliantly and is entirely believable and convincing in everything she does. Chris O'Dowd as Roy and Richard Ayoade as Moss have great chemistry on screen and this again makes the roles they are playing move convincing and as previously discussed Noel Fielding (of Mighty Boosh fame) is a great addition to the characters as Richmond.

Extras

Other

The DVD menu page is amusing in itself by having a parody of old isometric video games, which if left on has many different levels and again adds to the whole package. The theme tune is written by Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy yet is a complete contrast to his work with them and a compliment to the show itself

Bad points

Overall

I think the IT Crowd is a great British sitcom. There has been a more successful second series which I believe is inferior to this series and it has been recommisioned for a third next year. This in mind this DVD is a great starting point. I would recommend it, especially if it less than £10 like most places are selling it for now. To conclude I think that if you like the previous work of Linehan, such as Father Ted and Black Books (series one) then IT Crowd would well and truly be for you!