After Life TV Series | Key Facts & Characters & Ending Explained
Quick Facts about After Life TV Show before I start
- Three seasons with season 1 having six episodes, season 2 having also six episodes and season 3 having six episodes as well
- The plot can be found here
- Cast is here
“After Life” is the story of a man who just lost his beloved wife, and with her, the will to live. He probably would have killed himself immediately, if he didn’t have a dog to take care of. So he manages to get out of bed every day, and lead an existence devoid of any shred of happiness or hope.
People annoy him, probably because they go on living despite the fact that his world has ended. Worst of all, he claims to not care about his own life to the point where he deliberately puts himself in harm’s way, yet the only people that he’s hurting by his behavior are the people who still care about him.
Written by, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais, After Life is a brilliant drama. Incredibly relevant, relatable, realistic and dark. Makes you think about your own life, how you handle tragedy and other setbacks, what it all means and what’s important to you.
Series 1 was excellent. Refreshing, funny, clever, excellent characterisations.
Series 2 was good, Refreshing, funny, clever, excellent characterisations. But whilst S1 felt like it covered some ground and made some conclusions, S2 took a step back and treaded water.
Series 3 was the same as S1 and S2 but nowhere near as refreshing, funny or clever. The characterisations were not as good. Several of the best characters are no longer there, replaced by crude characterisations that appear unrealistic and over the top, and a bit nasty.
Season 1 Recap
Season 1 of “After Life” introduces us to Tony, played by Ricky Gervais, who is struggling to cope with the death of his wife, Lisa, from breast cancer. Tony’s grief leads him to a dark place where he contemplates suicide, but his dog, Brandy, keeps him going.
Tony works at the local newspaper, The Tambury Gazette, run by his brother-in-law, Matt. Despite his grief, Tony decides to live life without caring about the consequences, often being rude and unfiltered with those around him. This behavior creates tension but also leads to some humorous and touching moments.
Throughout the season, Tony interacts with various characters who help him see life from different perspectives. These include his colleagues, a new employee named Sandy, and his father, who is in a nursing home. He also forms a bond with Emma, a nurse at the nursing home.
By the end of the season, Tony begins to show signs of healing, realizing that his actions affect others and that there is still some good in the world. The season balances dark humor with heartfelt moments, making it a unique and emotional journey.
Season 2 Recap
Season 2 of “After Life” continues to explore the themes of grief and recovery with Ricky Gervais reprising his role as Tony, a man struggling to cope with the loss of his wife. The season picks up where the first left off, with Tony still grappling with his sorrow but making efforts to be kinder to those around him.
Throughout the season, Tony faces new challenges, including the potential closure of the local newspaper where he works and the death of his father. His relationship with Emma, the nurse, remains complicated as Tony feels conflicted about moving on from his late wife. Despite these struggles, Tony shows signs of healing, trying to help others while dealing with his own dark moments.
The season is filled with poignant and humorous moments, maintaining the delicate balance between comedy and tragedy that the show is known for. If you enjoyed the first season, you’ll likely appreciate the emotional depth and character development in the second season as well.
Season 3 Recap
Season 3 of “After Life” marks the final chapter of Tony’s journey as he continues to navigate life after the loss of his wife, Lisa. This season delves deeper into Tony’s emotional state, showing his gradual transformation from a man consumed by grief to someone who begins to find purpose and connection again.
Tony’s relationship with Emma, the nurse, remains a focal point, though it faces ups and downs as Tony struggles with the idea of moving on. His interactions with other characters, like his brother-in-law Matt and his colleagues at the Tambury Gazette, highlight his growing empathy and willingness to help others.
The season also features several subplots, including James’s quirky romance with Brian and Kath’s humorous attempts at dating. These storylines add depth and humor to the series, balancing the heavier themes of grief and recovery.
The final episodes are particularly poignant, with Tony reflecting on his past and his relationship with Lisa. The series concludes on an emotional note, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the possibility of finding hope and meaning even after profound loss.
Conclusion
Tony concludes that his deathwish is a sort of super power because he can do anything he wants, and the worst thing that can happen is that he’ll die–which is what he wants anyway. In other words, all filters are off; he says what he wants to whomever he pleases, he never backs down from a confrontation for the sake of propriety, and even physically he is as fearless as Batman on crack. All of this is wrapped up in a funny, cynical, distinctly British exterior, you know… keep calm and just kill yourself, that sort of thing.
What gives this show a unique power–and what DISTINCTLY separates it from the aforementioned “13 Reasons” which martyrizes depression and suicide, is that nobody treats Tony with kid gloves. Nobody really gives him a free pass just because he’s screwed up. And in fact, several characters essentially tell him that maybe he should go ahead and top himself if he has the guts. It’s this non-pitying approach to depression that makes Tony start to question his “super power” – is he truly in control of his destiny? Or is he just a loser who’s using depression to justifiy his continued failure at life?
And that, if anything, is the most powerful message any show could offer regarding the subject. Without itself becoming depressing, “After Life” forces the issues in our faces and says “ok let’s cut the BS. Is depression truly your fate, or are you just hiding behind the label of being “messed up”?
