After Life became a smash hit, and was so embraced by the audience that creator Ricky Gervais quickly jumped into making season 2. Gervais seems to have hit a nerve with his show, with an outpouring of commentary and support from those who have experienced grief, thanking him for showing the real raw truth of the pain. His After Life doesn’t skirt the uncomfortable depths of misery and of self-destruction that can accompany the loss of a loved one. He highlights a stark reality of a life with a partner and then the life after the loss. Everything in life changes, from how you see the world, to how you interact with others, all the experiences that may have been part of your daily life, now are completely different. His show has opened the floodgates of so many who are grieving and can relate, and yet didn’t feel their experiences were correctly portrayed. They openly share their stories of grief, recalling scenes that mirrored their lives and experiences.
Gervais took on the subject of grief and give it a voice, a deep, harsh, blunt and at times funny vocalization of a world turned upside down. He addresses depression, anxiety, drug-use, the loss of interest in anything, the anger and the internal struggle of a heart refusing to accept what has happened. It’s messy, ugly, painful, and jarring, with an added dose of Gervais’ in-your-face humour. His fans have watched through tears and laughter, often both at the same time, at the absurdity of the expectation that you can just find closure and move on in the same life. It’s unlike many other shows that wrap up grief quickly, skipping over the most uncomfortable emotions and tying up the process with a big bow at the end, as if it is just a break in life, then you return. No, the title pretty much sums it up, After Life. Those who have grieved and are still and always grieving know the truth. There is your life before, and then your After Life. With his show Gervais has embraced this community tightly, squeezing out all the ugly, and then holding our hands while giving us a laugh and a virtual hug.
Thank you Ricky!
Catch After Life Seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix
And you can follow Ricky on Social Media: Facebook Instagram