TV: Fleabag -The Greatest Ten Minutes in TV

By Jack Baxter

TV SHOW: FLEABAG (2016)
CREATED BY: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
FEATURING: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

I recently read an article outlining a writer’s opinion that Fleabag is “the worst series on TV”. Their view was based on the apparently disorganised plot, the out-of-place music, and the nauseating editing.

Although everyone is entitled to their opinion, not every opinion is entitled to being taken seriously.

First, an explanation of Fleabag and its core principles. Fleabag is a young café owner. The business is the centre of the show, and especially important to the character because her closest friend, Boo, who passed before the events of the show, helped her start it.

Throughout the satirical show, Fleabag looks into the camera, addresses the audience, or gives general commentary. No other characters know that Fleabag does this, and when she looks back to them, conversation carries on as normal.

In the second series, Fleabag meets a priest, whom she falls in love with, and he with her. During one of their rendezvous, the show breaks three of its fundamental principles.

Firstly; the backing music is loud and abrupt, but during liaisons with the priest, the music becomes more subtle and romantic.

Secondly; editing is very fast, often cutting to a different scene in the middle of a sentence. But during these dates, shots are up to thirty seconds long, and as little as three camera angles are used for a two-minute scene.

I’ll get to the third principle later.

For the duration, Fleabag keeps us in the loop, giving commentary on what’s happening. In a scene where the priest is questioning Fleabag, before answering, she mentions, to us, an attractive feature of his.

But after a few questions, Fleabag looks to us, gives her answer, and looks to the priest, and says “his beautiful neck”. A faux pas; but she plays it like he misheard.

The next few minutes are back to normal, until Fleabag looks to us, and the priest asks, “what is that?”. She looks back, startled. She pleads oblivion. He is onto her.

Here’s the important bit.

Fleabag then gives us a distressed glance.

The priest perks up. And instead of further questioning, he looks directly into the camera – we suddenly realise, he, too, can see us.

In this moment, the third principle is broken – Fleabag was the only person aware of us. Now, the relationship with the priest is completely different; Fleabag must be honest with him, and more importantly, honest with herself.

She got close with Boo, and now she’s gone, and she’s scared that if she gets close with someone again, they might go away too; I think that’s something we can all relate to.

So, to the aforementioned writer; I think that everything that you hated about the show; the editing, the plot, the music; cemented in me why I think that Fleabag is one of the best series is recent, no, distant, memory.

If you’re interested in watching Fleabag, you can stream it on the BBC iPlayer.