The End of EXTRAS is Extra good

If you are lucky to be an HBO subscriber then you are in for a special treat as EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE debuts tonight at 9pm. I was lucky enough to get the screener a few weeks back and have watched it numerous times since then…yes, it’s that good.

Comedic geniuses Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are back to properly send off their brilliant HBO series that had its official ending more than a year ago. As was the case with the special Christmas episode of Gervais & Merchant’s other hit, THE OFFICE, the EXTRAS post-series finale special achieves a sense of closure on a series that left the audience with a rather anti-climactic first take at the series finale.

The EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE is the preeminent episode of the entire series with nods to what was so brilliant in its original run – sharp but dark comedy, uncomfortable hilarity, fantastic cameo appearances (of which I’m choosing remain mum as I don’t want to spoil you – but they are good), and just enough heart to allow the audience to truly empathize with the characters. But what sets this 80-minute episode apart from all others is Ricky Gervais’ stunning dramatic turn. Known to all for his comedy, Gervais turns in an unbelievably authentic performance that shows he more than just the guy “having a laugh”. The comedy is a given, but the range of arrogance, sympathy, anger, humility and self realization was more than I expected from Ricky Gervais – shame on me.

This episode picks up about a year after we last saw Andy Millman. His series, “When the Whistle Blows” continues to be a commercial success and a critical mess. Andy has bought into his own success and has become increasingly more arrogant and self centered. Wanting to be more than a guy in a silly wig with a catchphrase, Andy leaves long time, albeit incompetent, agent Darren Lamb (Stephen Merchant) behind for a slick new agent who promises him fame and fortune, although perhaps not the respect Andy thinks he so deserves.

Meanwhile, as Andy’s fame rises, his best friend Maggie (Ugly Betty’s Ashley Jensen) seems to be struggling with her career as an extra. When a major movie star insults Maggie on set, she decides to give up on her dreams to become a famous actress but realizes that when you’ve spent your life as an extra, you don’t necessairly have the skill set to adjust to the outside workforce. Caught up in his own world, Andy isn’t able to see Maggie’s plight and continues to take advantage of his friend and use her for his own convenience whether it be making her pose as his personal assistant in front of a reporter, or asking her to lunch only so he can be seen at a fancy restaurant. But when will enough become enough for Maggie?

Desperate for fame and respect, Andy embarks on a series of misadventures hoping one of which will give him what he’s been seeking from his career. But when things don’t go as Andy has planned he may just start to realize that at the end of the day, perhaps fame and fortune aren’t worth your self respect. This moment of realization might just be the most honest moment of Andy Millman’s life.

Not a single moment of tonight’s EXTRAS is wasted, and each actor brings emotion and a sense of realism to every scene. Even under the most absurd circumstances, the audience sees right through to the heart of the characters. Gervais, Merchant and Jensen are at their very best, and once again it’s sad to see these characters go. Selfishly I would love to see more EXTRAS in the future, but on the other hand, this extra finale is so good it should stand proudly as the series consummation.

Check out a teaser from tonight’s episode. Warning – major spoilers within.