So last night I watched the last episode of the first season of Fresh Meat. If you read my review 'Two Episodes In' then you'll probably be wondering why I continued to watch a show that I had openly criticized and characters who I held in absolute contempt. Well, it's a fair point but have you seen what else is on TV at the moment? I'd rather scratch out my eyes than watch X-Factor of any other television mush that pollutes the cathode rays.
To clarify, I didn't hate the first few episodes, I laughed every now and then, I just didn't see any character development or reason to like the people I was watching. Jack Whitehall's character was the most likeable character and he's the one you're supposed to hate! I also thought they were using the same tired, old sitcom formulas.
Whatever, after my last blog I still wasn't convinced with the next few episodes. Episode 3 was about Simon, I mean Kingsley, changing courses to drama, Chinese buffets and Oregon predictably getting involved with her lecturer. Who didn't see that coming? Come on boys, mix it up a bit. I also previously said I liked the character of Howard but this marked a change in his character where instead of being a weird, mysterious guy who thinks he's hilarious, he turns into a bumbling nerd, scared to talk to girls. There's nothing wrong with being an oddball, in fact some of the most interesting people are like that. I just think his geeky desire to learn about 'the normals' and things like that were too nerdy and not the same as the character we first met, drying duck carcasses with a hairdryer. The same can be said for his stupid geek friend, his voice was too stereotypically nerdy. No other characters in the show were stereotypes, for example drama girl, who was a fun character. Howard was the only member of the main cast whose persona suffered and ended the series worse than when it began.
It was only from episode 4 that, for me, the show really got going. Kingsley and Josie's annoying will-they-won't-they relationship took a good turn after she didn't break up with Dave and I liked them so much better when they hated each other. Kingsley didn't really grow as a character and was the same bumbling, insecure, yet narrow-minded person as when he started. I kind of liked how Josie changed from being the bossy but meek character to a nasty girl, drinking and sleeping with random people. I don't condone it but found her more interesting. In fact I think she is a terrible person, she cheated on her boyfriend within the first moments of being away from him, more to spite Kingsley than anything, she is glad when it turns out her blind date is dead, rather than being stood up and tells everyone Kingsley's secrets. She's horrible to Kingsley and her final words of the series are, "well, I couldn't find you," when asked why she slept with JP. At the same time it's quite sad, I don't think much thought went into her emotional state, but maybe with a personality like that she never had a conscience to begin with.
Vod let a few things slip to suggest she wasn't just the gobby, female 'Super-Hans' of Fresh Meat. She genuinely felt betrayed by Oregon when she found out she was actually from a rich family and the phone call to her dad (who she often remarks about killing) seemed very sad. Also, her refusal to do the acid suggests she is maturing as a character. At the same time, it appeared she learned very little. Despite really getting into her course at one point she openly cheers the fact she's been kicked off, although this is most probably a front to maintain the hardcore personality she's put to the house. The fact that she does appeal it suggests she does want to stay. She has some good lines but didn't quite make the change into a good character.
JP. Amazing, he carried the student demo episode and is so good at his role. Probably because he's just playing himself. And eventually, he too grows as a character. The death of his father is the catalyst where he begins to show empathy and really appreciate his friends. I would have loved to see him twat that posh boy though.
Finally, Oregon, who I initially thought was the worst character. She really changed, probably the most out of all the characters. At first she was just shown as trying to tag along with Vod but her refusal to be bullied by a more alpha member of the house and continue her affair with the lecturer then refusing to give into him was good. She became the mother of house, complete with making a boiled egg and toast soldiers for Vod on the day of her appeal. I liked it how by the end, she was the one in control of the relationship and became not only a student who cares about her grades, but a confident character who I feel is the most dominant in the house.
The other characters were also good. Dave was a brilliant silent hardman, I felt sorry for him and would have liked to see him knock the shit out of Kingsley. Professor Shales was such a dick, brilliant though, he kind of reminded me of Colin Firth! Some weren't so good, Robert Webb's performance looked half-arsed and poorly used. When you have a comedian of his stature you should rely on his comedy and not his weaker areas, although the scene with him and JP over the tandoori was funny.
Overall, the show was ok and I'm glad they've got a second series, whether or not the same cast will be in it or not, I would like to see Howard more fully explored. I liked how Dave Lamb, The Invisible Man was given reference to and knew anonymous people like him from uni myself. I think these casual references are funnier than showing his face and think he should be kept this way.
If you haven't watched it, go check it out. It's funny at times, not so funny at others, laughs are usually found in awkwardness or people being nasty to each other but then I suppose that's what uni was like.
