You, Me, and the Apocalypse or Nah?

Or Nah? is a new feature where we watch and review the first episode of a new TV show. We’ll let you know if it’s worth checking out. As always, these reviews are the opinion of the reviewer, but we’ll try to adequately explain why you should or shouldn’t give the show a chance and provide shows for comparison.

Season 1, Episode, 1 – Who are These People? | Starring: Jenna Fischer, Megan Mullally, Gaia Scodellaro, Rob Lowe, and Mathew Baynton. Created by: Iain Hollands.

What’s it about?

The end of the world – thanks to a comet headed straight for Earth – and the fifteen people who survive it. 

What happens?

News of the impending apocalypse, or extinction-level-event, is made public towards the end of the episode. With only 34 days until the end of the world everyone, of course, immediately loses their shit. Before this, we’re introduced to a handful of those lucky fifteen survivors, who will eventually find their way to the safety of a bunker in the suburbs of England. There’s Jamie, a bank manager whose wife has been missing for seven years, and who just discovered he has a twin brother. Rhonda, a librarian sent to a maximum-security prison for a crime her son committed. A white supremacist, Leanne, who forces her way into Rhonda’s life in prison. Sister Celine, a nun who aspires to do more than just talk about God’s work. She is sent to the Vatican where she meets Father Jude, a “bad boy” priest, who she’ll be assisting in the department of The Devil’s Advocate. 

What’s good?

The premise. Any show that can take ostensibly unconnected people and connect them in an organic and interesting way is almost always going to win me over. The mystery sub-plot, which has already managed to connect Jamie and his twin, and Rhonda, sets this comedy slightly apart from others on TV now. It’s the end of the world! It’s always fun to explore that scenario from the comfort and safety of your couch.

What’s bad?

The length. I found myself losing interest at certain points throughout the hour-long premiere. A half-hour show could give this story a tighter structure and allow for a faster, livelier pace. It’s a bit bland. It feels palatable enough for a wide audience, which means it’s probably destined to be just a good show. Not awful but not great, either.

The verdict

I’m going to give this show another two episodes to prove it’s worth the space in my already jam-packed TV schedule. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but I was fairly entertained, and I can see a good amount potential for some of these characters.