Hugo Blick's 'Sensitive Skin' (Series One, 2005) R2 UK DVD June 25th 2007.

The reasons behind it's obscurity are many and varied - an unusual time-slot would be the primary one. More significantly it's maybe because the show edges towards drama, has a very sparse, dry, gentle style to it. Yet it remains warm and charming rather than cold and distant if you look beyond the modern city surroundings and towards the characterisations as they slowly reveal themselves.

Essentially it's about how the lives of the central married couple are solid and predictable, yet very insecure, uncertain as they find themselves caught between having lived a full and financially successful life, gained sufficient finance for a new and invigorating lifestyle (new flat, new part of town, modern furniture), and yet they also sense the impending doom of retirement as they hit the big six-oh and beyond. The lack of time left to fulfill the desires or ambitions they've become used to dealing with, the insecurity of these lifestyle changes they're not sure they need or want, plus their connections to largely youthful, cut-throat, insecure occupations, give the central situations for the unfolding stories.

The irony of feeling you've driven yourself only to find out it's perhaps down to other people use of that drive that you were once (and may soon not be) useful for whatever purpose you feel you've found of your own accord makes for some interesting ideas about how ambition works. The characters pasts and presents colide, and it gives lots of exploration to aspects we'll all have seen a certain amount of in our own lives as we've all pondered how in control of our own destiny we are. It also probably remains the kind of situation many would also like to find themselves in without realising the dangers of, rare as it is in this extreme, but also familiar enough to provide some great social commentary in its gentle comedy style. One of the few shows in the recent years to leave a huge impression on those that caught it, worth seeing... another great production from Steve Coogan's company, Baby Cow.

'Sensitive Skin' Electric Shock Therapy Clip at YouTube.
'Sensitive Skin' Mummys Advice Clip at YouTube.
'Sensitive Skin' Reaction to Break-up Clip at YouTube.
'Sensitive Skin' Car Etiquette Clip at YouTube.
'Sensitive Skin' Uncle Roger Envy Clip at YouTube.
'Sensitive Skin' You're My Mummy Clip at YouTube.

Pre-Order 'Sensitve Skin' at Amazon.co.uk for R2 UK DVD release June 25th 2007.