Mulberry: The Complete Series
Both morbid and joyful, British sitcomMulberrybegins when a quirky young man with a penchant for floral waistcoats named Mulberry (Karl Howman,Brush Strokes) shows up on the doorstep of a sullen, surly old woman named Mrs. Farnaby (Geraldine McEwan,The Magdalene Sisters,Mapp & Lucia). The irrepressible Mulberry proceeds to unsettle the servants--Bert (Tony Selby) and Alice (Lill Roughley in the first season, Mary Healey in the second)--as he puckishly lures Mrs.  Farnaby into a fuller, happier life. But unbeknownst to Mrs. Farnaby, Mulberry harbors a secret: He's the son of Death and Springtime (talk about mixed marriages) and he's been sent by his father (John Bennet) to carry the old woman over the threshold--not a typical premise for a comedy. This DVD set has both seasons; season 1 is occupied with the unveiling of Mulberry's secret and the drawing-out of Farnaby, while the second finds a surprising richness of material in the set-up, ranging from Mulberry having a near-death experience of his own to Alice considering running away with another man. Despite the recurring presence of Death, the show is really about taking pleasure in life and making your own choices. Howman's zaniness could have grown tiresome were it not countered by McEwan's deliciously dour presence (though a TV interview with the pair, included as an extra, reveals her to be a sweetheart in person). As Farnaby softens, Mulberry calms down, maintaining a careful balance. An odd but likable show, cut off by the BBC just as it found itself in full bloom. Co-created by Bob Larbey, creator ofAs Time Goes By.--Bret Fetzer