I watched the first season of The Inbetweeners. Spoilers

I must say that it was strangely comforting.

While reading some articles in The Guardian, I came across their list of the best series of the 21st century. In 74th place, I found The Inbetweeners, a series I remember from MTV when I used to sneakily watch the channel I wasn't supposed to. I don't remember much about it, but if The Guardian considers it one of the best series of the century so far, it must have a certain charm, right? I'm just starting the second season, but I understand the affection they have for it. For me, its ranking is too generous.

What did I like?

1) The script: I could only talk about the script at this point because it's so fluid and natural. It gives the impression of being organic, like other cringe British comedies such as Peep Show, The Thick of It, or Fleabag. While the acting contributes to bringing the script to life, it is definitely funny, and you get the feeling that you're hanging out with the iconic group. The jokes are also funny, even if some of them wouldn't be said today. They don't rely on jokes that would only make sense in the era when it was conceived (2008).

2) The acting: Viola Davis, the legend, once said that the winners of acting awards are those who manage to make a bad script work and make sense. (For example, Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Perez). The lead actors' performances are fantastic. They all work hard to make us believe that they are friends who have known each other for years, even though Will is a newcomer to the school. The chemistry is palpable and abundant.

3) The directing: The unstable camera and constant angles remind me of Peep Show, not only because of the cringe comedy in the script or the actors' decisions, but also because of the awkward angles or almost uncomfortable zoom. The camera work elevates the element of comedic discomfort, and honestly, it's hilarious.

4) Comfort Sensation?

This point is more subjective, but while watching the series, I also surfed the internet or wrote, activities that didn't distract me completely (I'm not defending the probable attention retention problem I suffer from). There was a sense of comfort in listening to the conversations between the protagonists and other characters; to the point that I repeated several scenes while doing other things. As a background sound after watching it several times, it gave a sense of company and comfort that few series provide.

5) The second episode: There's not much to say here. It's iconic, simply iconic. Not for nothing does it have so much meme material (spoiler: When Simon vomits, Will's jokes about Kevin's dad, when Will enters the store to buy alcohol, etc.) The apotheosis of cringe comedy for teenagers.

6) The fourth episode: Although it is a cringe comedy, the fact that Charlotte mocked Will in the school's blind date competition was the first time in the series where a dramatic aspect was appreciated. Personally, I felt empathy for Will and how an embarrassing intimate situation can affect you, especially when the other person mocks you; and even worse, when only the two people involved know what happened.

What was regular?

1) Some jokes: I'm one of those people who think that anything can be funny, as long as the person telling the joke has the talent to do it justice; and in many jokes about objectification or sexuality, it was uncomfortable to see it without it being funny; it's a point that can be expected of all types of comedies, where some jokes won't stand the test of time and will become outdated, such as the constant use of the word 'bird' to refer to girls, or the constant use of the word 'puff' to describe homosexuals, tired.

2) Episode 5: Although it has funny moments, I think it could have been much better. There was not enough elaboration in the scenes of the park party, which was a bit boring, although the moment when Simón puts on a condom was funny. It could have been more religious or cringe-worthy in front of the people who were at the party.

What did I dislike?

Apart from the occasional joke, nothing in particular annoyed me so much that I wanted to dedicate space to criticising it.

Yes, I recommend it.; Only people who like cringe comedy or are uncomfortable with it, and are also receptive to the typical British black or sexual comedy, which there is plenty of, will enjoy it.

Yes, I would watch it again. - Rating: 8.6/10

Did you like it? Or were you interested in seeing it? Let me know in the comments.

I watched the first season of The Inbetweeners. © 2025 by Kiver Sanel Ayala Blanco is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0