I can’t really think of what to compare it to. It’s a relationship-based comedy, basically farcical in tone. It doesn’t take its relationships seriously, like, say Friends does, and the viewer is invited to laugh at the characters rather than sympathize with them, for the most part. It’s also a drama, but not one that takes itself seriously.
It’s also punctuated by fantasy scenes based on what the characters are reading or writing.
The main character, Claire (Anne Dudek), is a somewhat high-strung, over-intellectualized writer from Cincinnati, who has taken her latest advance to move to Glasgow. She’s uptight about interpersonal relationships and is desperate after seven months without sex.
The Hound (McCann) is Kenny, a tall, athletic man who is now a paraplegic, wheelchair racer, and an aspiring novelist. He works the desk at a “leisure center,” which seems to be some kind of public recreation center with a swimming pool, running track, etc.
“Rab” seems to be a barely literate underemployed type who is obsessed with Scottish Premier League soccer. He habitually refers to athletes and athletic types like Kenny as “the Big Man.”
Barney (James Lance) is an overeducated, arrogant, extremely attractive intellectual with a posh (to Claire, English-sounding) accent and dangerous habits.
The remaining three members of the group are the rich, beautiful, bored wives of members of the local big-time soccer team –
Janice is a conservative Scotswoman who aspires to be a broadcast journalist. She is insecure about her intellect and carefully practices asking interview questions and making declarations in a dramatic fashion.
Fist is a superficial, supermodel-like Dutchwoman who envies Claire for being able to live a normal life without men always staring at her.
Dirka is a good-natured Swede and Fist’s best friend.
Each episode is named after the book they’re reading that month and somewhat reflects the themes of the events.
