User Reviews

The debut series of Kidding, from creators Dave Holstein and Michel Gondry, concludes with an unexpected episode that diverges from the ending that I was expecting. From all the story beats and increasing darkness, I thought Jeff would set out for his ultimate self-destruction - having been left behind by his girlfriend after literally saving her life, fighting desperately to keep his identity as Mr. Pickles and suffering the breakdown that destroyed his Dad's office and slit the throat of Tara Lipinski. Everything was set up for his story to end with darkness and death, yet somehow he pulls through and arguably becomes stronger for it. I think the writing in this final episode communicated that Jeff was not ever completely the villain or the victim, and crucially that every person in this world can and does make mistakes. Many of Jeff's ideas would have been successful if he hadn't had Seb standing in his way - the Christmas speech proves this given the incomprehensible amount of children who show up for Jeff to listen to them; yes, Jeff still causes enough shock to get the show taken off the air but perhaps if his vision for his own show had been carried out as he wanted then that might not have been the case. I think, despite everything, even the closing cliffhanger of the season, that Jeff is ultimately better off having finally said all the things he needed to: he's closer than ever with Jill and his son - while realising that Peter is far from perfect, as well - and the people who truly love Mr. Pickles, most importantly I think he reaches an understanding with himself. He's still there, after the death of the show and the Pickles on Ice debacle, he's even still in Pickle Barrel Falls - but how does he get back up again?

As for the other characters, I really enjoyed seeing the culmination of their storylines in preparation for the next season. The performances all around are absolutely stellar, but I have to give special mention to the incomparable Catherine Keener who brings it every time she is on screen, and also Judy Greer who has thoroughly impressed me with her dramatic acting capabilities. Keener's character Deirdre has a beautiful monologue in this episode and raises some of the most important philosophical questions found in the show, and in life. Each of the characters except her are portrayed as various puppets from the Mr. Pickles programme, with Jeff aptly seen as the 'Oops' puppet in the final moments of this episode. The others might be controlled and influenced by external means and hidden desires, but is it not worse that Deirdre - after her entire life spent in shadow - does not even know what controls herself? Her storyline has boasted some of the show's most depressing moments, and it doesn't look like it will get any better for her family when the show returns. I loved the reunification of Jeff with his father. It was definitely earned and made sense for the episode, but it is so sad that all it took was for Seb to finally just listen. There wasn't much to go on in regards to Will, whose problems are still present, but it didn't detract from the episode and the time was better spent on the other characters. I did think the house was going to explode with all the kids inside at the end, though.

All in all Kidding does a masterful job of balancing melancholy with deep character drama, great storytelling and comedy. I don't agree with some of the other reviewers who have only focused on the comedy aspect - its not that important and the show is clearly much more than one genre in its execution. This is perhaps the role that Jim Carrey was born to play, its certainly the one I feel most attached to, more so than all of his film roles, and with the backing of an exceptional supporting cast and the genius of Michel Gondry I am expecting great things for the second season.