Breeders is no laughing matter. In the first series it was clear from the start that the father, Paul (Martin Freeman) had anger management issues. But his personality has developed into something far darker than that. He is an increasingly, verbally abusive father screaming profanities at his children. He is on the brink of converting that verbal abuse into the physical; a flick of a switch away from becoming a perpetrator of domestic violence.
Like all such people he is capable of switching into gentle, remorseful mode but always remains on the edge of explosive anger at the slightest provocation. Wife, Ally (Daisy Haggard), mainly keeps the lid on the threat of his potential violence but she too can explode on occasion.
Of course they love their children but at the same time resent the intrusion into their lives. It is no wonder that 13 year old son Luke (Alex Eastwood) frequently disappears from the confines of the powder keg in which he lives, to be alone nor that his 10 year old sister seeks to protect him.
Paul’s anger is not confined to the household. He is angry with the succession of psychiatrists he visits, the children’s teachers, in fact with almost everyone with whom he comes into contact. He even screams profanities in open public places.
The performances are excellent, as you’d expect from Freeman and Haggard and there are moments of amusing self-deprecation, a spattering of wisecracks and smart lines but they don’t do enough to generate sufficient laughter. In fact should one even laugh at, or with, such a flawed character, as Paul.
There are comedies and there are dramedies, Breeders is somewhere north of those. Maybe, a new genre is required, ‘Dramedy Noir’ perhaps.
Breeders Episode 2
Thursday 3rd June
Could it be possible that young Luke’s problem was caused by being sworn at for all of his 13 years? In episode 2 dad, Paul, doesn’t swear at him (or anyone else for that matter). He and Ally are dealing with whatever is troubling their son with parental kindness and compassion not violent outbursts of profanity. And do you know what, the show was all the more enjoyable for it.
A third series has already been commissioned.
Great, really insightful review – thank you. Such excellent performances I thought, but I stopped watching as I found it ridiculously stressful. Realised that I am Luke, as I had a big black cloud of a shouting, raging father, which has lead to a lifetime of anxiety for me. They don’t realise the damage they do. If you don’t come from a dysfunctional family of a***holes, I daresay you could perhaps just find it funny though. I even found myself worrying whether the writers ever behaved like this as parents in real life, at which point I realised I was overthinking and this just isn’t the show for me or perhaps anyone with a borderline abusive background. Shame though as I adore Daisy Haggard and think she’s wonderful in everything she’s in. Highly recommend “Back to Life”, which is also darkly comic to the point of painful at times, but so very hopeful.