A conflict between unequals

A riotously funny script prevents Man vs. Bee from being perceived as a mere imitation of Atkinson’s past performances

At first glance, the success of Man vs. Bee can be attributed to the pull of nostalgia. The British comedy series has been featured on Netflix’s top ten list across the globe and has garnered critical acclaim. Starring Rowan Atkinson, the nine-part sitcom marries the slapstick charm that has become synonymous with Mr Bean with the caustic wit embodied in Blackadder. Even so, a homage to Atkinson’s past triumphs can do little to enthral audiences if it lacks an original premise.

A compelling, riotously funny script prevents Man vs. Bee from being perceived as a mere imitation of Atkinson’s previous performances. William Davies and Atkinson ought to be commended for a script that skilfully utilises the conventions of slapstick comedy. At the same time, the directorial efforts of David Kerr haven’t gone in vain and succeed in drawing out stunning performances from the cast.

The title of the series is the biggest giveaway of its storyline. Trevor (Atkinson), a hapless divorcé who has lost his house, finds himself locked in an inexplicable confrontation with a bee during his maiden stint as a house-sitter. The house in question is a plush mansion that belongs to the purportedly affluent Christian Kolstad-Bergenbatten and his wife Nina (Julian Rhind-Tutt and Jing Lusi, respectively). Trevor is entrusted with the task of protecting the couple’s priceless possessions from damage and ensuring that their sheepdog Cupcake’s dietary requirements are adhered to. However, the house-sitter’s ungainliness deters him from fulfilling his responsibilities. The presence of the mischievous bee compounds Trevor’s distress and the house-sitter employs a string of peculiar strategies to rid himself of the winged creature. What follows is a heady blend of comic situations and absurd encounters that viewers will find memorable.

Man vs. Bee begins as a courtroom drama. The opening scene shows Trevor being charged on multiple criminal counts. He defends himself by pinning the blame on a bee. In a long flashback that spans several episodes, viewers gain an intimate glimpse into the house-sitter’s bizarre conflict with the bee.

The series is targeted at an audience that is above the age of seven. As a result, viewers are advised against expecting a complex narrative tinged with nail-biting suspense or unexpected twists and turns. Even so, discerning viewers may find it strange that most situations in the series appear to be contrived. The excessive use of plot conveniences may render the sitcom somewhat predictable.

What elevates Man vs. Bee from becoming a run-of-the-mill comedy series is Rowan Atkinson’s screen presence. His facial expressions and impeccable dialogue delivery are the saving grace of this nine-part series. More often than not, comedy sitcoms tend to overlook character development and instead prioritise rib-tickling humour. Trevor’s character has been mercifully spared this fate. The house-sitter hasn’t just been portrayed as a goofy clutz, but also emerges as a full-blooded personality who benefits from a much-needed three-dimensionality. His relationship with his former wife and daughter is tackled with care. Trevor’s earnest affection for his daughter makes him likeable as it reflects his ability to be humane.

Unfortunately, these virtues seem to be forgotten when the house-sitter confronts the bee. Trevor’s burning desire to harm the bee, though understandable, verges on a cruel vendetta that contradicts his calm, nurturing demeanour. When he finds some common ground with his nemesis, he only fleetingly empathises with its plight and then transforms into the stereotypical anti-hero that we often find in comedy series. This can be attributed to the fact that the conflict between Trevor and the bee has to be sustained at all costs. Be that as it may, it is difficult to forget the fact that Trevor and his main adversary are in many ways similar despite the fact that they are at loggerheads. The only difference is that Trevor manages to find some grain of peace whereas the bee struggles to find its place in the world. Subsequent seasons of the series should delve deeper into this conflict between unequals and discover whether there is scope for empathy in Trevor’s relationship with the bee.

One of the major questions that remains unanswered pertains to the bee’s underlying intentions. Does the winged creature bear a grudge against Trevor or is it simply mean-spirited? At one point, we are told that male bees are turned out of their hives by their female counterparts – a possible explanation for the bee’s antics. Even so, there remains a narrative silence with regard to the bee’s hidden motivations. Given that the sitcom caters to a younger audience, this concern can be addressed with considerable ingenuity. For instance, subsequent seasons of the show could potentially be narrated from the bee’s perspective – a technique that younger viewers might be able to accept as a flight of fancy.

Man vs. Bee doesn’t require considerable investment in terms of time and can be binge-watched over the span of a few hours. Each episode, however, is rather short. Discriminating viewers may find this unsatisfactory as the episode often resemble snippets from a longer film. In their existing format, the episodes lose their overall impact.

Despite its shortcomings, Man vs. Bee stands out as a humorous take on our unique relationship with the creatures we take for granted. The sitcom draws attention to our indifference towards living things that may inconvenience us but don’t necessarily mean any harm.