6. Coupling (2000-2004)
Before he ran Doctor Who, Steven Moffat was a showrunner on a little show call
Coupling. And it may be the finest look at the ups and downs of relationships and the differences between the sexes. It got a bit of buzz and was even touted as the British
Friends
but it never seems to appear in the heights of British comedy and I don't know why. Because the cast and the scripts are electric. In many ways, I think the scripts for
Coupling (the first two series certainly) are the sharpest, most well paced scripts Steven Moffat has ever produced. He captures every anxiety over dating, from Sally's obsession over her looks to Geoff's everlasting list of issues (the melty man, the giggle loop). But it's more than that. In Coupling, Moffat created six perfect characters that covered every spectrum of the dating world. Steve (Jack Davenport) who desperately loves Susan but is terrified over the big couple events that will define their commitment (wedding invites, dinner parties). Susan (Sarah Alexander) is a woman who knows her mind but is continually frustrated by Steve's quirks. Sally (Kate Issit) wants a man, but as soon as she has him she's already listing every fault. And she moisturises to the extreme in a desperate attempt to stay beautiful. Patrick (Ben Miles) has no depth. He says what he thinks and takes what he wants. Subtext doesn't exist. And then we have the two extreme and most entertaining characters. Jane (Gina Bellman) who uses her sexuality to get everything she wants. She'll stalk you. She'll turn up at your dinner party naked. She's entirely inappropriate and claims it's okay to date a gay man because she's bisexual (she isn't). Finally we have Geoff (Richard), possibly the most unique character ever created. He struggles with women to the point he'll claim he has a wooden leg to impress and generally spouts verbal diarrhea as his nerves get the better of him. My favourite moments are those scenes that focus on the differences between men and women and this is where Moffat uses Steve and Susan brilliantly. I could show you a clip about men's desire to look at breasts through a discussion of the 'erotic' film Lesbian Spank Inferno (it is so funny it will make you cry first time round) but I'll settle instead for this less scene about cushions that demonstrates the differences between the sexes at their very best.