Perspective: TV's Big Advantage - FLEABAG | Deep Dive

My video essay on season 1: • Perspective as the Sto...
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Fleabag put out a near-perfect season of television in 2019. How? By focusing on TV's greatest strength: perspective.
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Footage:
Fleabag - Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The Good Place - Michael Schur
Music:
Candy - Jahzzar
The Wrong Way - Jahzzar
Last Dance - Jazzhar
Pure - rare.
Music from filmmusic.io
"In Your Arms" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (creativecommons...)
Music from filmmusic.io
"Last Kiss Goodnight" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (creativecommons...)

[@SkipIntroYT]

What's your favorite fourth wall breaking moment of the series? Mine is at 2:10

[@emyg494]

probably in s02e01 when Claire says 'putting pine nuts on your salad doesn't make you an adult' and fleabag breaks the fourth wall to say actually....'it fucking does'

[@beatriceistired]

My favorite was the ending of the series. I get teary just thinking about it, her sad, bittersweet smile, her gesture for us to stop which makes my heart skip a bit, the fact that she's leaving before I am ready to say goodbye and just processing what's happening and then her little bye at the end which makes me smile and think "oh this is going to be ok..". This is really a love story, and for me, it's about how I fell in love with Fleabag.

[@LabradorIndependent]

Possibly the one where the Priest looks into the camera at 3:15

[@jessl7068]

'Bye Claire. Bye Klare. (Bye Claire)'

[@supercarolita81]

@@beatriceistired Absolutely agree!

[@circling-girl]

This show may have the best series ending I've ever seen. When she turns and waves at us a final time... it's just poetry. Flawless and satisfying thematically and on a character level. That's why it drives me crazy when I see people begging for a third season. It would be a total betrayal of her character growth, and the entire point of the show. She doesn't need us anymore.

[@SkipIntroYT]

I don't want her to make another season, but I totally get the need for more PWB!

[@colinwoods9601]

The finale is just perfection-especially the final scene. The chemistry between those two is so special. Combine that with flawless writing and it’s a recipe for something memorable. This show stuck with me for awhile, and I think a big reason why is its restrained arc. Of course we all wanted more, but that’s what separates the good from the great.

[@JanuskaJang2]

Phoebe Waller-Bridge already announced that she is not making the third season cos the story is completed on the second season. And she love how it ended

[@deathgobbler4774]

third season but it's just the camera standing in the same point at all times, and then you have her screaming "oh my God, why you're here?!?!", and then it just ends. done, finished. no more. make it an April Fools joke.

[@tomfoolery-4444]

Imagine they did do a third season, and it starts with her giving that knowing grimace like she knows exactly what it means that we're back. The GUT PUNCH of it. All that progress lost

[@mariaherfst348]

The moment the priest started to notice her breaking the 4th wall, I immediately knew that was because he perhaps was paying attention to fleabag as a person. And also because he actually does understand her more than everyone else. I'm glad you think that as well and I'm not the only one. Again great video with a great analysis! ❤️

[@kelvinlee8919]

One of the reason why I felt Fleabag is almost perfect TV, if not perfect TV is that it's 2 seasons long. It's hard to stay at such high quality season after season.

[@peterd440]

Thankfully she didn't want to do more. Also, the very common in British TV short season format helps. Far too many US shows have too many episodes and they do it by using a committee to write it.

[@SkipIntroYT]

It's very tough for sure, but not impossible. The length and morph of a show over time is one of my favorite things about it!

[@bruna8778]

amazon is trying to convince her to do another season apparently but hopefully she stays strong and refuses! season 2 ended so perfectly

[@michaeladkins6]

@@peterd440 Its common in BritishTV, but doesnt fill time. The first time I visited England, I expected all these amazing British shows on TV. They have tons of hour long American action shows. Btw, I have seen both seasons of Fleabag several time. Just incredible.

[@bivis8]

This show is a masterpiece, I could talk about it for days and never run out of things to analyse and marvel at.

[@JaydevRaol]

Yeah same! 🙌

[@reneelasswell3734]

I can't believe Andrew Scott got snubbed by the Emmys for this, he was incredible! I'm happy for all the other cast members that were nominated but that just feels like a huge oversight, the series wouldn't have been the same without him.

[@IYQ1317]

I completely didn't realize the thing about the priest and the foxes, especially comparing the foxes to Fleabag's audience. She saw his fox following him in the same way he saw her disappearing.

[@Khaegar]

Growing up, being seen was one of the most massive hurdles I couldn't get over. I still can't sometimes. Fleabag is one of the only shows that expressed that loneliness to me in a way I understood. Her glancing at the camera to the audience emphasizes her need for understanding. She doesn't know us but the fact she is seen completely is enough. Her family don't see her in her day to day and have developed a perspective of her based on her trauma and how she dealt with that. To them, it shows she's unstable or even unloveable. But we don't. The fact we know that, and she can feel that, gives her comfort. She walks away at the end because she accepts herself and that was truly cathartic for me. The Priest helped her understand her capacity for love but also the ability to share that part of herself with someone real. A lot of detractors note that he is a trope driven character made for her development and I don't deny that yeah he falls into that. But he also has enough nuance and depth that you can see he's experiencing a similar thing. The difference between him and Fleabag is that he's still too afraid to be seen. She is not. Anyways those are my thoughts. And I really appreciated your analysis as it added some extra perspectives. Thanks for the interesting watch.

[@kelvinlee8919]

So well said. The people who watches Fleabag from so many different angles and experiences makes this show so great.

[@ganeshkoushik7826]

Damn!! Had no idea that it's so deep!!! Mindblown!!

[@andyseinfeld1954]

I actually felt something very uncomfortable and scary when the priest looked at the camera

[@dunnowy123]

Honestly, it feels like a violation. Sometimes how it feels to fall in love and be vulnerable.

[@eiveive]

fleabags literally the only show i can watch again and again like normally i have to wait like a year before i rewatch it bc i know the story well and even though i know the story of fleabag so well, i can rewatch it idk why

[@belenparada1082]

I saw this season without knowing that it was going to be the last. And I must say that the last scene broke me to tears. I could not wait for a better ending, not a happy one, but a real one. Life goes on even when you have a broken heart.

[@dysectorza]

Loved every minute of Fleabag. Can't wait for more Phoebe Waller-Bridge series and movies. Already in love with Killing Eve as well. So brilliant!

[@welch_inc6532]

I can't wait to see what she does for Jamie's bond 25

[@welch_inc6532]

The only person who truly seems to care for and pay attention to fleabag being someone who can never be with them. Is perfectly bittersweet

[@shoeshinerr]

Yes!! The way the priest broke the 4th wall, the way the camera is always just over fleabag's shoulder, how she leaves us behind at the end - cant wait for the video

[@aarond9563]

"The best stories put their audiences in positions that echo the themes of the story" very well put

[@supercarolita81]

Oh boy... that observation on the fox... Thank you!

Same! I haven't registered the fox appearing only when his celibacy was being tested, very clever!

[@natalie651]

I watched this entire show in one sitting, and began crying halfway through and didn't stop for an hour after it ended. I don't think I've ever found a show that shows finding LOVE in such a truthful way. Bravo!

[@EnsoTB]

This easily and very rapidly became my favourite TV show I have seen. I find it hard to understand how I have so much love AND dislike for a character that firstly, is nameless, and secondly, is a priest. It takes an incredibly talented writer to evoke such strong feelings for the shows characters in the way Phoebe Waller-Bridge did and I am not exaggerating when I say I loved literally every part of this show. Fleabag is a masterpiece.

[@colinwoods9601]

There is not an ounce of fat in this show. The finale is maybe the most perfect episode of television I’ve ever seen-Martin’s speech, the exchange between Fleabag and her dad, and of course the last scene at the bus stop. I’ve watched it 4x now and appreciate the brilliance in each beat more and more. A great example of restraint in storytelling, less is more. Phoebe’s magnum opus.

[@RK-ep8qy]

Honestly if you keep doing quality analysis on British shows you will be my favourite channel

[@talytasbarcelos]

Glad all this exists

[@JaydevRaol]

This video and this channel im general deserves more attention than it has already garnered. Bcoz even though I first saw this video last year. I still just keep coming back to it bcoz it is so good. *A Great Analysis of A Great Show*

[@benzur3503]

Ironically, when I thought I was alone with my headphones watching this review during my work as a movie usher I’ve got asked to lower their volume. My tiny place where I’m not supposed to be seen was seen and I’m extremely uncomfortable for it. Fits too well with the grand statement of the vid

[@andrewtucker94]

I mean you should be ushering

[@benzur3503]

Andrew Tucker 70 minutes in out of 282 minutes with a single 10 minute break at the 140 mark after getting all the late people in and making sure there are no problems with either the subtitles nor the picture nor the music. If it wasn’t 282 minutes long with barely 20 people trust me, I would

[@WhiteWolf496]

Possibly the perfect show. Although I'm sad to see it end, its 100% quality. I love it so much.

[@theletterbleeds]

Love to see that you make analysis about lesser-known TV shows! It's a breath of fresh air, since most channels on YT focus on shows with wider audiences. Keep up the excellent work!

[@mariaherfst348]

Thank you for also making another video about fleabag but this time about season 2! This is really too good to be true!

[@highwind1991]

Honestly fleabag season 2 is probably the best season of television that I've ever seen, if not at least for the 2010's decade

[@kelvinlee8919]

Oh yeahhhhhh. Not gonna lie, been looking forward to this.

[@ResistReact]

For me this channel IS Fleabag... it's how I discovered what has become one of my favourite TV shows so really happy to see you return to it. Great video :)

[@JaydevRaol]

Literally Finished watching the final episode of the show, just one hour back and just couldn't stop thinking about it and then I remembered that I had this video in my watchlist since quite a long time. So I finally watched it and I have to say Great work man. I really enjoyed the analysis and I agree with your overall take on the show. I absolutely love the show and I think Phoebe Waller-Bridge is really brilliant. I am definitely gonna keep eye on her work from now on because she is amazingly talented.

[@travisspazz1624]

Best comedy of 2019!!

[@SkipIntroYT]

best *show* of 2019

[@travisspazz1624]

@@SkipIntroYT Chernobyl!

[@SimonJamesCarter]

Travis Spazz it is fantastic, but did you get a chance to see After Life? Both are solid 10/10s

[@kawafahra]

Well, that was deep, you are good. Even told me something about myself.

[@JulietteReacts]

So pleased you did a follow up video. Loved your first one on Fleabag. Really hope you do more on British TV.

[@SkipIntroYT]

👀

[@henrahmagix]

Fantastic video!!! You’re SO right, and now I really understand Fleabag (before I only knew, on some unknown level, that it’s amazing, I just didn’t know... why)

[@sweetdee8884]

Fleabag is so, so good. Great video here too!

[@julietabdm]

Love it all: Fleabag and the video

[@grantdelossantos2933]

I am one of the people who started watching this show after finishing your video essay about its first season and how its perspective encompasses the story. Glad that I saw this masterpiece in 2018 and cemented its status for me as a classic after Season 2.

[@ozlekosusturu]

I binged it because of your first video and I absolutely fell in love with it but honestly I just didn't feel it as complete as it was probably meant to feel. I didn't get the "she's finally gained the perspective to be honest with herself" point you made at the end. It definitely felt very realistic and loose ended but as a story arc it just made me incredibly frustrated to know there may not be a third season.

[@misspiggy1517]

That's why I love tv series way more that films. It is hard to get to know characters and their decisions when a movie is only 2 or less hours long

[@christianavilesruiz4691]

Great analysis of the series. Thank you very much!

[@itsmargi5076]

I would love to see a video essay from you guys on Euphoria or Altanta.

[@juliusdavies2005]

What a great analysis... brilliantly insightful!

[@alexandragussewa7507]

Wonderful interpretation of one of the best TV-series I've ever seen. Really. Just thank you for your Opinion and for sharing it with us, your 4th wall :) And the show is incredible, it trully is.

[@gillethsandico]

Brilliant essay on a brilliant work. Goojab

[@direnova6284]

I've never had such a real relationship with a character in anything before or since. I know the 4th wall thing is a big part of that but I doubt if anyone could have connected with the audience as well as she does, there's something unique there.

[@michaeladkins6]

I watched the whole series last night, just incredible. Perhaps more Fleabag, sort of, Phoebe Waller-Bridge hosts SNL this week.

[@paulamacatangay0001]

Yes yes yes thank you for this!

[@markdavis2475]

I really enjoyed your review/insight, thanks. I loved Fleabag from the start! The crazy thing was that it was never on Terrestrial TV in the UK it was on BBC Three online only.

[@MsLovelifetothefulle]

I love your channel!! Keep up the amazing work!!

[@SubSpaceTripMineeee]

Without hyperbole, the best TV I've seen in my 60 years

[@kyl5005]

Mark Melnyk 60? Really? God that makes me want to give up searching for something to watch..

[@fionamainey7686]

I haven't loved something like this for so long. I grew with 90210, Friends, Sex and the City then Girls. But this series knocks it out of the park. I then had to watch Crashing and loved it too. Whilst I know PWB wrote Killing Eve she is not in it so it's not the same.

[@eiveive]

8:07 waiting for it to air every week was hard

[@SkipIntroYT]

I watched it along with the Brits and boy, it was hard, but I really really enjoyed taking the time to process each episode and have to sit there as the credits rolled without any option to click on the next one

[@starktargaryen1048]

I've seen your video for the first series ages ago and loved it. loved this one too. utterly brilliant and you've captured the core of the show so accurately. also love the video you did about villanelle, any chance you'll do another killing eve one??

[@rishitapal4172]

3:15 was so good I felt exposed

[@jeffwalt1211]

very well done.

[@aimanhalim3740]

4:38 is my favourite 😂😂

[@eme.261]

The second time I watched season 2, it hit me that The Priest is actually a very unhealthy partner. He's an alcoholic who's run from life-- from dealing with himself and others in a healthy emotional manner. It's for the best, for Fleabag, that he chose god over her.

[@juliz2500]

Also, he is very very hot.

[@bkilg2509]

So hot!

[@eme.261]

@@juliz2500 -- The Arsehole Guy's far hotter.

[@juliz2500]

@@eme.261 naaahh

[@eme.261]

@@juliz2500 -- Eh. It depends on our tastes. I prefer anal addicts over alcoholics.

[@lotusssypringa]

I understand not liking them but loving them. Family is family

[@mysundrop]

How many times did you watch the kneel scene with the priest? Me: Yes.

[@anup256]

Episode 4 was awesome

[@partlyironic]

Fleabag really made an entire show centred around that article about the guy that mass emailed all his colleagues about his new herd of goats.

[@hellojari07]

loved it. thx

[@Aakanksha1394]

Like the video but LOVE the editing 🔥💓

[@Lola_t]

Bloody hell, I loved Fleabag

[@ephramportugal]

I clicked subscribe 0,22323423 seconds before you said thank you and it was a freaky moment

[@jimstanga6390]

0:53 “Failed Specimen of Humanity would have worked nicely...”

[@MrWizeazz]

I have theory about why priest was able to see her fourth wall breaks during the second season, I think she was actually talking to god, but didn’t realize it. I know she’s an atheist and doesn’t believe in it, but I believe she needed to talk to someone about what had happened and how she was trying to move forward with her life after such a tragedy and this omnipresent aura was always close her listening to her. The priest being so close to god was able to see her doing it.

[@Bealzbob]

Ok now I want to watch Fleabag.

[@l.y.1486]

I’ve only seen clips, but I was pretty sad when I found out the show had finished with only 2 seasons. Wish there were more.

[@victorix30]

Finally I know what the fox represents (yes, I am oblivious to symbolic details)

[@BobStein]

3:02 ... breaking the FIFTH wall

[@samixx6569]

i will never accept this was the last season until i die

[@marzenalidia8277]

If we are at the great British shows, I'd so much like you to do the analysis of Years & Years, Gentlemen Jack, Good Omens, Charnobyl or After Life.. any of them, all of them, your pick. Any chancwe for that?

[@HorseJoint]

He uploaded both of these on June, on those days had a 8 in the date. Interesting.

[@Mel-jr5cz]

Poor Priest. His demons are still following him. He's his own Fleabag now.

[@michaeladkins6]

After seeing both seasons multiple times, I think the camera is Boo. At her Mothers funeral, Fleabag never looks at the camera. She looks at Boo.

[@Hoodoo123]

So sad when it ended, she waved goodbye and left us behind...

[@delfin7461]

While I would love more, it's fine that the show is only 2 seasons, though the last few minutes of the last episode just about destroyed me!!! Thank goodness there was the levity of the fox!

[@boldkingcole2]

I disagree with your take on the fourth wall. What I think she's done in this season, which completely blows my mind, is close the fourth wall. When then priest sees her talk to camera, I don't think it's because he understands her better (even though he does), it's because he recognises it. For him, that talk is to god, but for her, I beleive it's still to her friend. This is how her grief has manafested, she's still talking to her as if she was there. At the end of season 2, she's not leaving us behind, she's moving on from the giref because having her heart so broken is suffiencient punishment to let go of the guilt.

[@reneelasswell3734]

She's not talking to Boo. She has been talking to us, the audience, since Season One when she was hiding the truth about Boo so why would it suddenly be to her? That doesn't make any sense.

[@markant9534]

Not all people living in Camden talk like this though.

[@Cattycorfru]

WOWWW SO THAT IS WHAT THE FOX REPRESENTEDDDDD OMGG

[@antigen4]

fleabag = fleabee = phoebe - get it?

[@pippaknuckle]

Michael from v-sauce voice?

[@sarahdaestrela6098]

It became my new favorite show in the few days it took me to watch it all. Phoebe Waller Bridge is magnificent.

[@besponja91]

this is all very clever and great and all, BUT I NEED SEASON 3 AND I DONT CARE ABOUT HOW DEEP THE ENDING WAS I NEED MORE GOD DAMMIT ILL WAIT ANOTHER 3 YEARS IF I HAVE TO

[@anyawx6812]

Andrew is just 🙀🥵😻

[@leeh6667]

It’s like the audience is fleabag’s god

[@lepaloma]

it's genius

[@laurajackson1303]

Overrated

[@sannh]

I don't understand this fascination with redemption. Just don't be a horrible person doing horrible things.

[@wheresmycrownyo]

That sounds like such a great story

[@aronquemarr7434]

Fleabag season 2 was alright but not great. Have you watched Ramy yet?

[@xmapwin]

So many good shows and you make another video about Fleabag?

[@reneelasswell3734]

Series 2 is a completely different focus from Series 1 so it is definitely worth addressing and it's one of the best shows out there. I can't believe you're complaining about this.

[@XXXIMSEXYNIKNOWITXXX]

NOT EVEN A DISLIKE SO GOOD