The script is by Monica Heisey, who proved herself in shortform comedy writing many episodes of Schitt’s Creek. If TV has jerkier rhythms than film, because every episode must build to a cliffhanger, much of Smothered sits faithfully within the tramlines of romcom. Both lovers have snitty sidekicks who cheerlead from the wings – most eye-catching is the dry-witted Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as the pop star Self Esteem.
The finale is so traditional that it almost feels written by rote. There’s even a self-knowing discussion of Four Weddings and a Funeral. In truth this is more com than rom. While Pointing is charming, Tom’s role as the party-pooping adult with no life means that Sammy gets more of the gags. But then she’s on the more interesting journey as a gobby good-timer on the wilder shores of no-strings sex who has to grow up in six fast-flowing episodes.
Vitalis, who recently had a small but significant role as Glenda Jackson’s carer in The Great Escaper, is a treat. She even manages to hold her own against a scene-stealing Aisling Bea as a restaurateur opening a new eaterie. We learn that The Telegraph attends the launch. We don’t learn what the paper makes of the restaurant. But it certainly likes the romcom.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbHLnp6rmaCde6S7ja6iaKymZH9xfpJoaGtnYGx8tLnOrZ%2BeqpWZerS32GaaqKWVmcZuvsSvoJ6vXaK8r7XCmmShnZmosrp7