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I just finished watching a British series called Detectorists. I loved it. What a subtle way to deliver a powerful message.

There is a rare kind of magic in Detectorists, a show that invites us to slow down and appreciate the world in all its quiet wonder. On the surface, it is a series about two men wandering fields with metal detectors, but beneath that lies a profound meditation on time, memory, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation. With its gentle humour and understated storytelling, the show offers a glimpse into the beauty of history and nature and serves as a reminder of what we stand to lose if we are not careful. 

It’s amazing how a quiet show about metal detecting in the English countryside can sneak up on you with such depth. Mackenzie Crook ( Gareth from the British " Office " ) and Toby Jones really nail the subtle humour and heart - finding treasure in the mundane, literally and figuratively. The way it wraps friendship, love, and life’s little quirks into something so gentle yet profound ... is pure storytelling magic. 

It is, in my opinion, a masterclass in subtle storytelling that delivers a significant emotional and environmental message without ever feeling preachy. 

Set in the fictional town of Danebury, Detectorists follows Andy (Mackenzie Crook) and Lance (Toby Jones), two likeable but directionless hobbyists who share an obsession with uncovering historical treasures. Their metal detecting club is filled with eccentric yet loveable characters, each with their own quirks and small-town dramas. And what a motley bloody crew and I loved them all. 

What sets Detectorists apart is its warmth and sense of being REAL. The series finds beauty in the boring...long walks in the countryside, pub conversations, and the thrill of discovering something as minor as an old coin or button. These small moments become something really moving, as the show gently explores friendship, ambition, and the human desire to leave a mark on history. In fact, the show ambles along at a pace that even the older participants in modern life like me can keep up with. No fast actioned hero Hollywood blockbuster adrenalin pumping special effects fueled stuff here. No, it just quietly chugs along. All the while, I watched with a smile on my face and a sense of calm. And I laughed.  A lot. 

I loved the beauty of the flow. The characters and the countryside. A dash of nostalgia with references to song lyrics and Simon and Garfunkel;. But, most how Mackenzie Crook made us fall in love with the beauty of the countryside only to punch us in the guts......subtly delivered but man, that ending took my breath away. The crazy characters who they met and continued to meet.... 
 

Lance and Andy bumbling through life, the rolling fields, the quiet hum of nostalgia with Simon & Garfunkel woven in...it’s like a warm hug from a simpler time. Crook’s touch is genius; he lulls you into loving this idyllic world, those wide shots of the Essex countryside practically glowing, and then - bam - he hits you with that gut-punch.

One of the show’s most consistently funny bits is the presence of the rival detectorist duo, nicknamed “Simon and Garfunkel” by Andy and Lance. These two, played with a perfectly smug and deadpan delivery, was a treat. Their ability to always be one step ahead of Andy and Lance... whether by securing permission to search better land or uncovering something just slightly more significant. As for the bats? Well, you will have to watch for yourself to understand. 

 There were moments that were just so damned stupid that they made me think that in fact we have become accustomed to the ridiculous and are no longer surprised by anything we see or hear. 
 
 
Detectorists sets a high bar with that gentle touch, and it’s tough to find that finesse elsewhere, especially in Hollywood. The subtlety of letting a story breathe, trusting us to feel the weight without being bludgeoned by it, is a lost art for a lot of modern stuff. Too often, it’s like they’re shouting the message through a megaphone, and it’s usually something heavy-handed or off-key that leaves a sour taste. And it’s not just the delivery; it’s that the message itself often feels forced, like it’s more about preaching than storytelling. 
  
Detectorists is like a whisper against your cheek, soft and soothing yet carrying this undercurrent of trouble that sneaks up on you. It’s a rare thing, especially in a world as brutal as ours right now, where everything feels weighed down by rules, force, and noise. That gentleness isn’t just a balm; it’s a quiet rebellion against all that heavy-handedness. 
That craving for the past............ it’s why something like Dectectorists feels like a lifeline... far from a time, real or imagined, when the world didn’t feel so overrun. Or is perhaps it was a warning? 
 
There is no doubt that Britain is fast fading into the earth and the modern " Poms " will soon be a thing of the past, like the Saxons, the Romans and the Celts.  
It made me mourn the passing of old Australia - that place we all know and love. Because we too, are a dying part of history unless things change soon.You don't have to be British or love Britain to enjoy this ; most Western countries are under attack and our brown and sunburnt country, our rolling hills and sweeping plains are too precious not to enjoy and cherish. 
 
Please watch this wonderful show - you won't regret it. 
 
It is on britbox which is available through Prime.  It is well worth the subscription, if only for a month.
 
Shaydee
 
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