The Brittas Empire - The Complete Series 6 [DVD]

Ok, so series 5 finished with Brittas being (apparently) killed off. We saw him annoying everyone in heavan and so he's brought back to life for another 50 or so years. He comes to as the coffin is being lowered and the series ended.

Fortuntely Brittas isn't miraculously placed back into the leisure centre at the start of series 6 as would be expected. The writers have made an attempt to carry on the story. Brittas had been sent to a Swiss clinic to be 'rebuilt'. He arrives back at the centre where the staff are reminding each other that Brittas wasn't aware that he actually died so to keep it quiet.

It's not that easy at Whitbury so cue some hilarious and awkward moments where the truth nearly and does eventually let slip. Brittas is shocked to find out why Helen managed to get a brand new rolls royce. He's also bemused that his life insurance would pay out to her when all her had was a 'minor injury'. The loose ends of series 5 are tied up nicely (Colin and the bomb, Brittas going to brussels...or not as the case is.)

I also liked the episode where a Brittas clone is going around town 'tickling' the women (in particular Carole and Linda) and asking them to make sweet music with him. They're rather taken with his attractive new image...complete with Russian accent....but the actual Brittas is completely confused as to why his staff are suddenly simpering over him. He's even shocked to find he apparently came onto Linda at the frozen pea section of the supermarket. The story has promise, and Chris plays both Brittas and his Russian counterpart well, but the writers let the story down by a poor and seemingly rushed ending.

Laura does not feature in this series having gone off to America with Michael but they do made an effort to introduce a new character in the form of a sauna/solarium assistant. Maybe it's a bit harsh but it thought was random and unnecessary. She seems so wooden and pointless...perhaps the writers put her in to keep going the possible love interest between Brittas and a member of staff? She just doesn't have Julia St John's charisma and intensity. It doesn't work.

I'd have been happy to see Helen completely omitted from here onwards. If I'm honest I'd have left her out altogether and kept Laura. Helen is just as irritating and tiresome in this series and her character is wearing very thin. The storylines are a bit more unbelievable in this series but I don't judge it on that. It's stil very entertaining and highly watchable.

Extras, sadly, are still lacking. There as been a slight effort made with a 3D introduction to the menu. There are also some outtakes from series 4. I was really happy to see this as it shows that DVD producution company are at least making a bit of an effort but they don't do this fantastic show justice.

This still gets 5 stars, mainly for the solid characters in Brittas, Gavin, Tim, Carole and of course the one and only Colin. If I was to take off a star it would be because Julia St John left and Helen was alowed to stay. Also because the extras aren't up to much.

Still a must for any fan of the show or anyone who rates The Office. Brittas is the original Brent, but when Gervais's character is down he's down. When Brittas goes down (and even 6ft underground) he bounces back again, like all true heros.