Ever Decreasing Circles

 This is not a post about an old Google social network 

The 40th?  anniversary of this 1980's BBC sitcom first broadcast was of late 

I remember watching this on first broadcast. I remember Harold and Hilda in their matching jumpers. Paul noting Dad saw Howard Stanley Lebor in another film where he was playing a medieval knight. 

I remembered the dream sequence. ( Where Martin plays a 1950's spiv/Pimp ) 

So- Martin and Ann Bryce's quiet suburban life is changed when Peter Egan's Paul moves next door. Ann who is often frustrated with her life, takes a shine to Paul. 

This is one of Ricky Gervais's favourite television series.  Indeed Mr Richard  has lobbied the BBC for a repeat viewing. Even offering to waive repeat fees for the Office. If the BBC would broadcast Ever again  Which I was surprised the BBC has not done. Yet dear reader- I am not longer surprised at this

Speaking of Gervais  can see the influence on the Office. Martin is a nicer, more genteel and less self confident version of Brent. Paul is Neil. 

Ever  does feel older. I haven't seen Richard Brier's other sitcom- The Good Life in a while. That felt more current Ever decreasing circles is set in an England, where people still wear ties. Everyone is referred to as Mr and Mrs. Martin is chairman of the local fete, Under 13 football teams and Neighbourhood Watch committee's make up peoples evening. 

I don't think there are any black characters even seen on the show- Which may be a reason why it is not shown. 

That said. You have to ask why they didn't just have Ann and Paul have an affair. Apparently they did write this. Hence there is apparently a  missing episode in season 1 ( Season 1 has 5 episodes)

Duty Free and Allo Allo, dealt with infidelity so why did the BBC draw back here?  

I do have an Doylesque answer. Ann sees through  Paul- Ann realizes she will just be Paul's latest passion before ever so politely being set aside. Paul takes the divorce harder then he lets on 

We do see Hilda flash her stocking at Paul. So maybe some of what Ann sees in Paul. All the girls do

Is Martin on the Spectrum?

 I think so-  It is not said  out loud. You do wonder if the writers or Briers knew someone who was aspie They do talk about his ( Martin-Richard Briers)  mental health  An episode revolves around getting Martin to see a shrink.  A recurring joke is Martin untangling the telephone and changing the position of the receiver on the handset There are several mentions of Martin not eating at all when he is upset. 

You also notice Martin is often rude to Hilda and has to be reminded to mind his manners by Howard

The writers do dial this back as the series goes on. It is gone in the finale 

There may be a mild retcon in the series. Martin mentions serving in the REME  Paul is a former officer. It is not said in which service-but judging that his service was in the Far East- possibly the RN. 

Some of the humor in the series works if you think of  Martin as a stereotypical British Army NCO or specalist in the American sense.  Being manipulated by his clever Officer- Paul. 

What does Ann see in Martin?

Martin's income and earnings allow Ann to be a stay at home wife. ( Okay less rare in the 80s ) They do live in comfort. Besides Paul, Martin is clearly an energetic man, who has a lot of local respect. 

Very possibly Ann is not that bright. See the episode where she does an Open University course and Ann gets terrible marks. Ann has no hobbies unlike Hilda. She is pretty, she is sensible. Ann has coasted

Is Paul that likable?

I refer you to the Christmas episode. Where Paul invites 40 odd people to stay with him over christmas. Paul manages to charm Harold and Hilda, and the Bryces into taking in a lot of house guests. 12 people each, presuming the houses are of equal size. As far I can tell, Paul is never called on this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Blake_(actor) Here playing a cad. - Hello Kurt. 

( This is basically Finchy from the office)

A young Ray Winstone turns up as a maths student 

Boycie- John Challis turns up as a painter

Also I am sure that's Michael French as an extra in the background

A Queens Park Rangers fan turns up in one of the later episode 

 I think Wilton is pretty. I genuinely wondered if her  character was supposed to be a few years younger than Martin. ( One last thing- there is a lot of childlessness in this show) 

The premise let this show down. There is almost an affair. Well, okay. Almost 

I think this was a nice show for Briers and Egan, they did a table reading, a few hours in rehearsal. A nice lunch, and then the West End for drinks. They could then do a more interesting play or such . 

It was not bad. Was it great? I don't think so? Would I watch it again- probably. I will forget about this show. It is like 2007's Christmas. Pretty sure I enjoyed it. I would have to make an effort to remember it