Fleabag (2016-2019) is a winter must-watch

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

With its short runtime and captivating story, Fleabag (2016-2019) is the perfect winter watch.

For the unfamiliar, Fleabag (2016-2019) is a comedy-drama series written, created, and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It was adapted to television based on a one-woman show she performed in 2013 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show spans two seasons, 12 episodes altogether, and follows two differing but connected seasonal narratives. 

The first season largely follows the titular character, Fleabag, through her journey of grief in the wake of her best friend and co-cafe-runners death and tackles her complicated familial dynamics, especially after the passing of her mother, a few years removed from the narrative beginning of the show. 

The beginning introduces show-watchers to the deeply flawed but lovable qualities of the show’s star, placing them right into the meat of her confusion and self-sabotage tendencies, resulting from her insecurity in her identity and disoriented life path in the depth of her longstanding and intense grief. 

Fleabag (2016-2019) season two takes place approximately a year after the season one finale and follows Fleabag as she heals, becomes more actualized, and navigates a complex and compelling romantic narrative with a Catholic priest. While the first season is a standout in its own right, the second season is absolutely electric and stands as one of my personal favorite pieces of television to grace this world.

The show ends impactfully and succinctly, and despite many fans’ desire to see more of the show, I think most fans alike would agree that the show does what many modern shows seem incapable of, especially those notably successful: ends precisely when needed to.

I would argue this show is the perfect one to add to your watchlist as we move into the winter season. There is something about its darkly humorous comedy, deeply woven and complex character relationships, and warm, personable feel that creates an immaculately cozy yet mournful tone that meshes wonderfully with the airy chill and thin layer of fresh snow outside. The show, available through Prime Video, is a refreshingly brief and haunting watch— its runtime is just under six hours.

This show pulls no punches and always sticks to its narrative despite what audiences might want. It often refuses simplicity, and although it is not a watch that I would describe as comforting, I find myself drawn to the rewatch repeatedly, relishing in the new aspects that are always ripe for appreciation. 

I especially find the exploration of Fleabag's relationship with her sister Claire the most interesting. The sisters have opposing personalities, with the more extroverted and endearing Fleabag contrasting with her more introverted, cold, and even-keeled sister. 

The way they mesh, clash, and sometimes do both simultaneously hits a realism in depictions of sibling relationships that is impressive in a storytelling medium. I would even claim that their dynamic stands as the true, but more subtle, heart of the whole show as they weave in and out of each other’s lives and favors.

I would recommend this watch to anyone looking to bunker down and watch some television this winter season. It is a convenient day watch that will make any day snowed-in go by in a blink and leave you with the feeling that maybe, just maybe, spring is on the way.