As a huge Ricky Gervais fan, this was the one series, I was unsure could make a great comedy, given the subject matter. Somehow though, Gervais & co, manage to pull off some good laughter, among some really poignant moments

While extras and the office both had large elements heartfelt moments this one is much more of a 50/50 split so you need to have different expectations for what you are watching. This one really tears yours heart out with the emotion and Karl is brilliant. It brilliant!

I don't think I have ever seen a show or film that mixes humor, wisdom and tragedy in anything like these proportionsIt simply never hits a wrong note and when it rises to its highest highs only the greatest of the best TV is in the same league (i.e. The Wire, Breaking Bad). Many thanks to Ricky Gervais and all the series' fantastic supporting actors and actresses. I truly feel like a better person both morally and spiritually for having watched it about 20 times!In speaking about one's ability to forgive and make amends when "Derek" says "It's never too late, until it is" during the last episode of Season 2 I seriously lose it every time.Very highest recommendation!

Derek is a sweet, hero-hearted near-comedy that breaks new ground in the mockumentary/sit-com format and that reveals Ricky Gervais as a dramatic actor of raging powers and infinite nuances.Seriously, Gervais is that extraordinary in this Netflix-produced 'streambox' series of only 14 episodes. Would Tom Hanks' performance as Forrest in Forrest Gump have been interesting if all the amazing Time magazine events hadn't befallen his character during the film? The most powerful testimony to how good Gervais is here as a modern day simpleton/mooncalf type is that his character is more watchable, more compelling than Hanks as Forrest was, and nothing exciting happens in terms of MacGuffin or set-up. Hopefully wide distribution of Derek will stop the 'muppet bad guy' script offers clogging Gervais' post box and start delivering him the serious dramatic and dramedy roles which Robin Williams, Bill Murray, and Steve Carrell earned. Because if Derek is any guide, Gervais could outpower and enquietude all of them.