An adult British sitcom, Coupling is a show about 6 friends, their relationships and their sex-themed conversations. The characters range from the definition of insecurity and unconfidence (Jeff and Sally) to the epitome of vanity and overconfidence (Patrick and Jane), with more balanced personalities (Steve and Susan) thrown into the mix. Their interactions give rise to hilarious gags - "sock gap", "nudity buffer", "giggle loop" - and there are numerous mix-ups and messy situations they get involved in, often of their own doing. The writing is very creative with many euphemisms, and the technique of using multiple perspectives to replay the same piece of dialogue viewed from different contexts is nicely executed.
Where Coupling suffers is however in its lack of character development and the near total absence of non-sex related humour through the whole duration of the show. The protagonists do not mature but remain the same awkward one-note caricatures despite getting into long-term relationships or experiencing major events in their lives. While not uncommon for sitcoms, this leads to the content feeling repetitive and losing any emotional weight. Also, Jeff's absence and replacement with Oliver in Season 4 is clearly felt; a lot of the memorable lines of the show are said by Jeff.
If you love adult comedy, both overt and between the lines, you will love Coupling. Especially if you have a penchant for British humour, typified by its nuanced and subtle elements as well as its crass and crude aspects. I might rate it lower than other sitcoms simply because of the large and liberal dose of sex jokes in its episodes which get tiresome to me but that is more of a personal preference; when watched in small doses, I can better appreciate and enjoy the show's brilliance.
Where Coupling suffers is however in its lack of character development and the near total absence of non-sex related humour through the whole duration of the show. The protagonists do not mature but remain the same awkward one-note caricatures despite getting into long-term relationships or experiencing major events in their lives. While not uncommon for sitcoms, this leads to the content feeling repetitive and losing any emotional weight. Also, Jeff's absence and replacement with Oliver in Season 4 is clearly felt; a lot of the memorable lines of the show are said by Jeff.
If you love adult comedy, both overt and between the lines, you will love Coupling. Especially if you have a penchant for British humour, typified by its nuanced and subtle elements as well as its crass and crude aspects. I might rate it lower than other sitcoms simply because of the large and liberal dose of sex jokes in its episodes which get tiresome to me but that is more of a personal preference; when watched in small doses, I can better appreciate and enjoy the show's brilliance.