I have found this series difficult to write about, but here, the last episode, I can honestly say that it has been a truly wonderful journey. But difficult to digest at times, some times laugh out loud funny, followed straight away with totally depressing hard to watch scenes. It was pointless to write a review about each episode, because of the highs and very lows. Throughout the series, my ratings would have been high, it was a very well made production. But this final instalment was a perfect ending, full of laughs, but true to form, some really sad moments; and the very end of the programme was truly sad. We all die in the end, everything has an ending, and Ricky Gervais directed that end scene perfectly. It was a pleasure to have watched this series, it makes me view life in a different light.
58 Reviews
We all die.
gpierpoint2 February 2022
Even dogs. A wonderful way to end a wonderful series. I lost the love of my life nearly 2 years ago and what Tony went through, I also continue to go through.
Apart from his anger issues, I sat back and watched, laughed and wept and said "That's Me", "That's how I'm feeling" "I'm not the only one feeling this way" "It's normal to lose your passion about everything you use to love".
I'm so glad I watched this. Apart from being an emotional roller coaster it's been pretty good therapy.
Apart from his anger issues, I sat back and watched, laughed and wept and said "That's Me", "That's how I'm feeling" "I'm not the only one feeling this way" "It's normal to lose your passion about everything you use to love".
I'm so glad I watched this. Apart from being an emotional roller coaster it's been pretty good therapy.
Life goes on. Because it has to.
TheBabayaga17 January 2022
I'll miss After Life. I will miss the compelling drama. I'll miss the ridiculous characters but most of all I'll miss the wise and meaningful park bench conversations between Ricky Gervais and the wonderful Penelope Wilton.
I don't know how but for 18 episodes After Life somehow managed to balance Gervais' unsubtle humour along with visceral emotion and a deeply delicate exploration of grief and loneliness.
This final episode was something quite special. Sure, it's all wrapped up a little too easily but nonetheless the ending is thoughtful, bittersweet and offers hope to all of us with meaningful interpretations. As Tony and Brandy fade away we are reminded that, whilst life does indeed go on without us, every end is a new beginning.
I'd also like to add this is the only TV series to make me choke with tears. Curse you Ricky Gervais!
I don't know how but for 18 episodes After Life somehow managed to balance Gervais' unsubtle humour along with visceral emotion and a deeply delicate exploration of grief and loneliness.
This final episode was something quite special. Sure, it's all wrapped up a little too easily but nonetheless the ending is thoughtful, bittersweet and offers hope to all of us with meaningful interpretations. As Tony and Brandy fade away we are reminded that, whilst life does indeed go on without us, every end is a new beginning.
I'd also like to add this is the only TV series to make me choke with tears. Curse you Ricky Gervais!
Bawled my eyes out. Beautiful.
dpoland-7658917 January 2022
Thanks Ricky for making this show. Season three wrapped it all up. The clichés fit. A great conclusion to a brilliant show all the way from the start to the very last scene. I'm a sobbing mess and I am happy for it.
A Fitting End
mf281214 January 2022
I loved the way this worked out in the end. No spoilers here, but it's definitely not what a lot of people would have been expecting. A true to life episode ending that just made me feel so happy. There's things that Gervais could have written in, but he dodged that cheesiness and went for a more realistic way, and it worked beautifully. Bravo, Ricky. Bravo 👏
We all have angels
mattcording14 January 2022
This was the episode I was waiting for, I cried relentlessly through most of this. The majority of the series was brought together within this wonderful episode, I think Kerry was amazing through the whole series, not as good as the whole of the first two series but this episode definitely was a wonderful conclusion to another work of genius from Ricky G.
Excellent , a fitting end to this. Ricky Gervais is a genius
iainsmith-1806115 January 2022
A fantastic end to a great series from Ricky Gervais which brought on tears of happiness. Ricky is a genius . It really explores the feeling of grief , sadness and happiness..It's such a shame that season 3 is it's last as it's just genius. Ricky Gervais and the characters he created just genius . And a starring role for his dog . Please please watch this show as it's just the best and it touches real life to the limit .
Episode 3.6 (Brilliant!)
zenpunks9 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Beautifully poignant ending (maybe the best ending I've ever seen -up there with 6 feet under) that has stayed with me since I saw it. I think deep down I hoped Tony (Ricky's character) would find love again -maybe with the nurse, however, I realize that the 'Hollywood ending' isn't as realistic or powerful. Here is a man who already found (and lost) the love of his life (his best friend) and he never was looking beyond that because nothing would come close to it.
I really respect this ending, as torn up as it has left me -and the real kicker for me is when Tony turns towards the field -he goes from partially smiling and saluting Lenny who takes a picture of him to turning somberly -sadly if you will...this is a man who is living the rest of his life without the love of his life (as those around him are finding love) and yes he will survive as he has friends whose lives he has effected and have effected him and he has his dog Brandy too (who has saved him continually-literally) -but I think Tony's look as well as Lenny's (after he looks at the pic he took of Tony) is to remind us that this is not necessarily a happy ending, but a somewhat still painful one for Tony without his wife. It's about loss.
I love the visual metaphors (Tony's walk thru the field/life/time) and it has made me think of the field of my own life and all the people and animals(pets) that have walked with me and left (faded out).
Joni Mitchell's 'Both sides now' hammers the feeling home (there was no better choice) "Something's lost and something's gained in living everyday..."
A Wonderful 3 season series with real life moments - poignant at times as well as laugh out loud funny. 9 Stars.
I really respect this ending, as torn up as it has left me -and the real kicker for me is when Tony turns towards the field -he goes from partially smiling and saluting Lenny who takes a picture of him to turning somberly -sadly if you will...this is a man who is living the rest of his life without the love of his life (as those around him are finding love) and yes he will survive as he has friends whose lives he has effected and have effected him and he has his dog Brandy too (who has saved him continually-literally) -but I think Tony's look as well as Lenny's (after he looks at the pic he took of Tony) is to remind us that this is not necessarily a happy ending, but a somewhat still painful one for Tony without his wife. It's about loss.
I love the visual metaphors (Tony's walk thru the field/life/time) and it has made me think of the field of my own life and all the people and animals(pets) that have walked with me and left (faded out).
Joni Mitchell's 'Both sides now' hammers the feeling home (there was no better choice) "Something's lost and something's gained in living everyday..."
A Wonderful 3 season series with real life moments - poignant at times as well as laugh out loud funny. 9 Stars.
A summers fair
Calicodreamin15 January 2022
Tears...
sophiebuhe-3886417 January 2022
Thank you Ricky Gervais.
omarFNH15 January 2022
In my opinion this is the best work I've seen for "ricky gervais" the writing, the acting, the character development, every aspect of this series was designed with broad ideas and care, Ricky alone was fantastic, the extent of his character's emotions were enough to make anyone cry or smile, the dialogues were also a strong aspect of After Life, they were down to the earth and connected to us,
The ending was sad, "We come into this world, live a life, and then go" We may share some good memories, but there will always be a part of our lives where we feel alone, sad and broken, that was Tony's world, he lived a life just like us, he got someone who made his life worth living, but she left him and then he's lonely, but that's life in the end, Tony lived up to Lisa's wishes, to be kind and to be Tony.
The ending was sad, "We come into this world, live a life, and then go" We may share some good memories, but there will always be a part of our lives where we feel alone, sad and broken, that was Tony's world, he lived a life just like us, he got someone who made his life worth living, but she left him and then he's lonely, but that's life in the end, Tony lived up to Lisa's wishes, to be kind and to be Tony.
Season Three Review
southdavid27 January 2022
My praise for Ricky Gervais' Netflix sitcom has not been as ebullient as has been given in some other quarters. I thought the second season improved on the first, dropping somewhat the conceit that his grief gives him permission to say anything to anyone. This third season is probably around the same level as the first - I do think it's labouring it's point and it was the right time to finish it.
Despite seemingly make some progress with Emma (Ashley Jensen), Tony's (Ricky Gervais) grief over the death of his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) is still too strong to allow him to commit to that relationship - even though he still comes to the nursing home daily. As Lenny (Tony Way) prepares for his marriage to June (Jo Hartley), Kath (Diane Morgan) struggles to find a meaningful romantic connection and turns to Tony for advice.
I don't want you to think that I don't think it's really good, I do. It's regularly very funny, with a wide variety of great characters circling around Tony. It's unfortunate that Roisin Conaty wasn't available for this season, as her storyline with Joe Wilkinson was one of the highlights of the second, but they take the opportunity to round off the character of Kath a little more and make you care about her. There's only one scene in the whole season which harks back to the "blunt honest" card of the first season, and at that volume I'm happier with it a lot more.
I understand why Gervais chose not to have Tony move on properly. I haven't experienced anything like his level of loss but I imagine you are never truly the same again - that said, on some level I'm watching this for entertainment and it feels like, across each season, Tony moves on a little bit and then when we rejoin him for the next run, that growth has been undone. Indeed, much of this third season seems like we're just revisiting characters that we've met before and that there's virtually no growth to any of them.
Still, for me, it's probably the best thing that Gervais has done - definitely the right time to end it though.
Despite seemingly make some progress with Emma (Ashley Jensen), Tony's (Ricky Gervais) grief over the death of his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) is still too strong to allow him to commit to that relationship - even though he still comes to the nursing home daily. As Lenny (Tony Way) prepares for his marriage to June (Jo Hartley), Kath (Diane Morgan) struggles to find a meaningful romantic connection and turns to Tony for advice.
I don't want you to think that I don't think it's really good, I do. It's regularly very funny, with a wide variety of great characters circling around Tony. It's unfortunate that Roisin Conaty wasn't available for this season, as her storyline with Joe Wilkinson was one of the highlights of the second, but they take the opportunity to round off the character of Kath a little more and make you care about her. There's only one scene in the whole season which harks back to the "blunt honest" card of the first season, and at that volume I'm happier with it a lot more.
I understand why Gervais chose not to have Tony move on properly. I haven't experienced anything like his level of loss but I imagine you are never truly the same again - that said, on some level I'm watching this for entertainment and it feels like, across each season, Tony moves on a little bit and then when we rejoin him for the next run, that growth has been undone. Indeed, much of this third season seems like we're just revisiting characters that we've met before and that there's virtually no growth to any of them.
Still, for me, it's probably the best thing that Gervais has done - definitely the right time to end it though.
great show but let down by a poor and ultimately unnecessary last season
F42KH4N17 January 2022
Seems the last season was purely a contractual stipulation? Not completely devoid of good moments or the odd laugh, but they were few and far between.
Other reviews seem too nostalgic about the early seasons to admit there was no real character or thematic progression, just a rehash the first two seasons. The finale especially was a rush job to tie up loose ends.
Still, the first two seasons, like derek, had a lot of heart and the shows overall success can't be dismissed.
Other reviews seem too nostalgic about the early seasons to admit there was no real character or thematic progression, just a rehash the first two seasons. The finale especially was a rush job to tie up loose ends.
Still, the first two seasons, like derek, had a lot of heart and the shows overall success can't be dismissed.
A beautiful ending to a spectacular series
anirambackwards14 January 2022
Oh my... Wonderful, just wonderful.
I kept crying throughout the entire episode. I understood what Gervais was about. I am disappointed in myself for thinking it would be cheesy. I missed Sandy and Roxy in the series but Ricky made everything make sense. The realism was unmatched.
I just wish this sort of humanity was expressed more. Because I do have faith that we have it within us.
I kept crying throughout the entire episode. I understood what Gervais was about. I am disappointed in myself for thinking it would be cheesy. I missed Sandy and Roxy in the series but Ricky made everything make sense. The realism was unmatched.
I just wish this sort of humanity was expressed more. Because I do have faith that we have it within us.
Perfection
evmcelroy19 January 2022
Life goes on
acunningplan15 January 2022
Ricky has set a new bar with this series. I have rarely laughed as much whilst simultaneously, feeling Tony's pain, Cried so much. A one man wrecking crew, not bad for an angle. We are here for such a short period of time.....
SO GOOD
dollfacecrafter17 January 2022
I loved this show and all the quirky characters, so much heart and so funny.
Gives hope for even the lonely and downtrodden. Short and sweet. Episodes are quick and it is easy to watch, for the person who said they were sick of seeing him watch videos of his dead wife, really? He loved her so much, and you can feel it.
Gives hope for even the lonely and downtrodden. Short and sweet. Episodes are quick and it is easy to watch, for the person who said they were sick of seeing him watch videos of his dead wife, really? He loved her so much, and you can feel it.
Clever, funny, sad
efd-1046716 January 2022
What a clever show, the mixture of in your face crude but very funny humour and raw emotion comes together to deliver a wallop.
Very well written & acted, each character has their moment, up there with Mare of Eastdown for class and originality.
Very well written & acted, each character has their moment, up there with Mare of Eastdown for class and originality.
Perfect Ending to a Wonderful Series
EthelredBusybody15 January 2022
I was excited when I heard that there was going to be another season and it didn't disappoint.
Seasons 1 and 2 were an 8 or 9 for me, but I thought this one deserved a 10. Maybe it was all wrapped up a little too nicely (conveniently) in the end, but I thought it was a satisfying and happy way to end the series.
I was never a huge fan of Ricky Gervais's stand-up. I enjoyed The Office and Life's Too Short. But I think it was with Derek when he first started to really tackle serious issues in a way that didn't get under my skin. The first Derek episodes were a bit over the top, but he toned it down and I really thought he did a good job with that character. I think he did even a better job with this character of Tony. And the other cast members were great.
I think this is one of those that I will come back to rewatch all seasons in the not too distant future. I really enjoyed it, warts and all.
Seasons 1 and 2 were an 8 or 9 for me, but I thought this one deserved a 10. Maybe it was all wrapped up a little too nicely (conveniently) in the end, but I thought it was a satisfying and happy way to end the series.
I was never a huge fan of Ricky Gervais's stand-up. I enjoyed The Office and Life's Too Short. But I think it was with Derek when he first started to really tackle serious issues in a way that didn't get under my skin. The first Derek episodes were a bit over the top, but he toned it down and I really thought he did a good job with that character. I think he did even a better job with this character of Tony. And the other cast members were great.
I think this is one of those that I will come back to rewatch all seasons in the not too distant future. I really enjoyed it, warts and all.
TV as art.
cybercipher23 March 2022
This episode was the best of a great series. For me it became modern poetry is the way it explored deep issues of life, loss, and grief. The scene between Tony and the children in the cancer facility was especially powerful. Bravo.
Ugly crying
sandracollins-0175818 January 2022
I've never written an IMDB review before, but this finale spurred me on. I spent a good portion of the episode in tears, and finished it off with a good old fashioned ugly cry. Tears of happiness, tears of sadness.. who knew I was due for such a cry? Ricky threw together a show full off belly laughs and heartache and pain, and I was there for it. The ending was perfection.
Believability
lezamcleod-021853 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
In one of the video clips there is a moment where Lisa almost glares at her Tony. When they are speaking about the afterlife and he dismisses her thoughts on the matter. It rang so true and raw. I wish I'd seen more of that. I know the videos where supposed to portray their absolutely perfect life but it eventually became farcical. When he honked the air horn, she could have been genuinely angry and he could have witnessed that it wasn't always sunshine and roses and maybe had felt more regret not just over her afterlife thoughts. The scene referring to that in the graveyard was heartbreaking. It is a good series but almost all the characters were unbelievable and many times just sounded like Ricky. I felt if he had gone for absolute realism it would have been like a punch to the gut and I for one was looking forward to more of a cathartic release of emotion. But having said all that, I came away with us all being each other's angels and we should embrace that.
Slightly disappointing ending.
danielshipway19 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I very much enjoyed the series as a whole but felt let down by the ending. It seemed like they just finished everyone's story in about 2 minutes. If they wanted characters to have a relationship, they can't just meet and be in one.
Also, what was that ending all about? I was touched by some of the earlier episodes in the series. The penultimate episode was wonderful and I teared up. The ending of the final episode just seemed cliché and didn't make me even slightly touched. It made me annoyed.
Also, what was that ending all about? I was touched by some of the earlier episodes in the series. The penultimate episode was wonderful and I teared up. The ending of the final episode just seemed cliché and didn't make me even slightly touched. It made me annoyed.
Broke my heart
louisabyrne198017 January 2022
I cannot explain how much of an impact this final episode had on me I was still crying in work the next day every element of it was perfect. I just love the passion Ricky Gervais has for dogs. I will miss this show so so much.
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