Derry Girls: More Than a Wee Bit of Fun

Five teenagers navigate the final years of the troubles during the 1990s in Londonderry (“Derry”), Northern Ireland. Sounds interesting, intense, and sad, doesn’t it? Actually, the Netflix comedy is hilarious, raucous, and optimistic (three seasons of six, six, and seven 25-minute episodes). While the Troubles lurk in the background, the show focuses on the antics of the girls (which include one boy). Like teenagers everywhere, they just want to have fun and social unrest is not going to get in their way. They’re the most loveable band of miscreants you’ve ever met.

The writing is raw and divine; the delivery witty and pitch perfect; and the cast so perfect that they have to be acknowledged here: Wanna-be writer Erin (Saoirse Monica Jackson); frantic Claire (Nicola Coughlan, Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton); party girl Michelle (Jaime-Lee O’Donnell); space cadet Orla (Louisa Harland); and Brit boy James (Dylan Llewellyn). Derry Girls doesn’t ignore the adults either. The central household includes Erin’s parents, aunt, cousin, and grandpa. Their daily middle-class domestic life is eccentric, gossip-filled, and priceless entertainment. As the girls all gather there (James is proclaimed a “Derry Girl”) and charge out the door for their latest escapade the parents can expect a phone call from the Police or headmistress Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney). The Sister is cynically deadpan. She’d rather be watching Rawhide than deal with the girls’ latest dilemma.

The series was inspired by creator/writer, Lisa McGee’s, own experiences growing up in Derry. Violence, ceasefires, peace agreements, and the visit by President Clinton and the First Lady are all referenced. The girls encounter walls and checkpoints as they carouse through town. The parents are engrossed by the latest news on the television while the girls focus on school projects and boys. (Reminded me of how the Vietnam War was presented on The Wonder Years.) The troubles go on, but the girls continue to find themselves (or rather, put themselves) in one absurd situation after another.

The rollicking soundtrack is befitting the time and place: Cranberries, Blur, Depeche Mode, Inspiral Carpets, Dropkick Murphys, and The The’s piano anthem “Uncertain Smile.” Two show-stopping songs exemplify the show’s juxtaposition of the Troubles and teenage mischief. The song titles say it all: “Alternative Ulster” by Stiff Little Fingers and “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones.

The show is a hotbed for one-liners. Just to give you a flavor: “Don’t say knickers in front of your father, he can’t cope” (Ma Mary); “Thank Christ it’s over” (Sister Michael after enduring another tedious school play); and “We’re not abducting him, Clare – we’re kidnapping him” (Erin). Michelle arguably has the most memorable quotes: “We got the gist, they ran out of spuds, everyone was raging” (her take on Irish history) and “I will buck a French lad so help me God” (her plans for the upcoming class field trip to France). You’ll be saying “wee” a lot at home after viewing this delightful show. It means “small” or “a little bit,” but in Northern Ireland the word seems to be used in a broader sense. The words “cracker,” “wains,” and “ride” will take on new meaning. And to catch all this crackling dialog, please turn on the subtitles (something I wish my wife and I would have done sooner).

The double-episode finale is sublime. Cameos by a famous actor and daughter add to the fun. Northern Ireland is reaching a turning point in its history and the Derry Girls are entering a new phase in their lives. These coinciding milestones augur an uncertain, scary, yet also, a hopeful future. It’s a poignant, heartwarming conclusion with some mixed emotions for the audience in having the series come to an end. I think we’ll be watching this again.

D² Rating ◼◼◼◼◩

Trivia: What is the name given to the most violent event of the Troubles where British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilian protestors?

Answer: Bloody Sunday