Daddy Issues review: Is Aimee Lou Wood’s new BBC show worth a watch?

As a seasoned gamer of life with a penchant for unconventional comedies, I must say that the new BBC sitcom “Daddy Issues” has piqued my interest in an unexpected way. While I initially thought it was about a sugar-daddy scenario, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself navigating the complexities of a father-daughter relationship instead.

Contrary to expectations raised by its title and initial branding, the new BBC show Daddy Issues actually revolves around a typical father-daughter relationship, albeit with some unique twists.

In the initial scene of Aimee Lou Wood’s character (from ‘Sex Education’) as 24-year-old Gemma, we find her preparing to engage in an intimate moment with an older man, perched atop a bathroom sink on a plane, just before landing in Manchester. Unlucky for them, they didn’t have a condom handy. Instead, they chose to trust the sink, considering it fail-safe.

Two months pass and Gemma discovers she’s pregnant, unaware at the moment. She’s also involved with someone who uses the same deodorant as her father, which suggests some lingering father issues. Interestingly enough, later in this series, Gemma considers seeking a sugar daddy. The storyline becomes more intriguing.

In simpler terms, her real father is the currently betrayed Malcolm (David Morrissey from Sherwood), who lives in a small apartment shared with several unhappy divorcees. As you might imagine, the atmosphere isn’t particularly lively.

Initially, Derek (portrayed by David Fynn in “Am I Being Unreasonable”), who happens to be his best friend, can be heard venting angrily through the walls. His behavior towards women suggests he’s just a few missteps away from embodying the characteristics of an incel. Gemma’s rejection of his advances seems to only fuel his progression in this direction.

In this chaotic collection of animals, there is also Gemma’s imprisoned sister (portrayed by Sharon Rooney from “My Mad Fat Diary”), her mother who has left to travel with a new partner, an endearing chance encounter with Xander (known for his role in “Count Abdulla” played by Arian Nik), and a roommate planning to relocate.

However, before Gemma arrives home to discover many of their belongings missing and believes a burglary has occurred, she encounters an unexpected twist. The individual she brought back from the pub, seemingly unbothered by the situation (“But did they take the bed…?”), is nonchalant about it. It’s around this moment Gemma learns she’s pregnant.

Given the tight housing market, it seems that the most logical option – reminiscent of a traditional odd-pairing sitcom – is for Malcolm to share a living space with Gemma. Soon enough, it becomes evident why her mother chose to leave her father; he’s utterly inept and absurdly hapless.

Each episode is punctuated by Malcolm doing something brainless and Gemma berating him for it, to not much effect. He’s probably the perfect primer for a mum-to-be, given that he’s essentially a child too.

Aimee Lou Wood portrays Gemma with an effortless charm, her eyes wide and amused at the absurdity surrounding her. David Morrissey dives headfirst into “Daddy Issues” as a seasoned actor, convincingly playing the role of a man-child, making it enjoyable to watch.

Danielle Ward, who has previously written for “Brassic,” crafted this six-episode series as her debut project in the role of showrunner. Each episode, running approximately 20 minutes, is carefully structured and manages to avoid unnecessary prolongation.

Is it possible to make Daddy Issues more humorous and less predictable? Absolutely. It’s encouraging that the BBC approved this project, as giving writers the freedom to experiment is essential for creating outstanding content. However, I find it concerning that the pathway for newer creatives seems to be narrowing, with fewer resources and opportunities available.

But even gold-standard comedies like Seinfeld and Parks and Rec had uneven first seasons. They just had the good fortune to be on air when writers were given the breathing room to work out the kinks. If you’re not a hit from the off nowadays, the axe swings.

If your father is familiar with a microwave and avoids flushing tea bags into the toilet, then “Daddy Issues” may fill you with immense gratitude. This series begins in an unusual manner and manages to maintain its charm without overstaying its welcome.

Daddy Issues is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and airs on BBC Three.

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2024-08-15 11:49