Amazon Original Series are one outlet that I’ve just never gotten into whether it be the critically acclaimed Transparent or the interesting looking Bosch, but being a big fan of Twitter darling Rob Delaney I decided to give the romantic comedy Catastrophe a look and I’m so glad that I did because it quickly became my favorite of the year.  Written by the stars Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe is a modern take on romance and relationships that has real heart as well as just laugh out loud comedic moments.

The premise is simple, while on a business trip in England two people meet and engage in an all out sexfest while they are together, months later Horgan’s character Sharon contacts Delaney’s character Rob that she’s pregnant and he decides to go back to try and make things work.  The series though isn’t about two horrible people (which seems to be all the rage today) trying to make things work, both Sharon and Rob are regular people in an irregular situation and react pretty much how you would expect them to.  There are moments of excitement and regret, there is culture clash and feelings on both sides of trepidation.  The real charm of the series are the two leads as both Delaney and Horgan are so damn good in their roles and show true range.  Delaney plays his role with such ease that you almost feel he’s playing himself to a degree and knowing a little bit about his personality I almost feel that he is.  Horgan is hilarious as she tackles pregnancy and coping with being in a relationship when she never really wanted one in the first place.  Their coupling and chemistry is so instantaneous that right from the start you’re rooting for these two people to make it work and even when they’re acting rude to a few of their friends or to each other, you can’t help but know that both of them genuinely feel for each other and that constant makes the series all that much more authentic and enjoyable.   From doctor visits to breaking news to family to cohabitation the series is the best written and consistent I’ve seen this year and something I’m recommending to everyone that I can.

Catastrophe came out of nowhere for me as a series that I can’t wait to see more of and am so happy that it has already been renewed for a second season.  The one word that I keep coming back to is Heart and also there’s a real believability in how characters interact with one another and how they react to situations.  Sure there are moments of conflict that a few times border on ridiculous but you can tell that Delaney and Horgan set out to tell a story that is real and will connect with people.  I can’t wait for more of this show and in what I feel is a great testament to the series, I was sad when it ended and I had to leave the characters that I came to really enjoy and love.

Recommend? Absolutely, the best new series I’ve seen this year!