Miranda, an Obscure TV Show for All the People Who Are “Too Much”
Promo Image from BBC on IMDb
Probably not that many Americans are familiar with the comedic body of works of Miranda Hart, a British actress, comedienne, and writer whom I personally adore.
She’s a tall, less “traditional” soul who’s clearly danced to her own orchestra (not just beat!) like I have my entire life – and she’s faced a lot of the same prejudices that I have through the years. And she’s shown these in her brilliant sitcom: Miranda (2009-2010 + 2012 + 2014-2015).
The “less than” woman mystique is portrayed in this somewhat naughty, wonderfully silly, beauty-embracing series that I personally find exceptionally empowering, joyous, and delightful. Miranda may be one of the best TV shows of all time and personally is and always will be one of my favorites.
Miranda: A Quick Overview
Miranda is a tall, beautiful oddball who doesn’t meet the magazine standards of physical beauty, elegance, or womanhood. This is harped on to an almost painful level throughout the show – and people who’ve always been “accepted” for their beauty probably won’t get what this is really about and why it matters so much. That’s okay.
And, if I’m honest, at first I wasn’t too terribly impressed. The British sense of humor that digs into the raunchier side of things for my taste plays up in the first episode in particular, and dances along throughout, though it decreases somewhat as the series progresses.
The story line follows that of Miranda, a woman who owns a joke shop in a time when, apparently, being an entrepreneur wasn’t seen as such a powerful thing as it is today. Miranda is given a hard time over her “lack of a real job” and is encouraged to take on a more “traditional” job role, like that of management in a department store.
Today, I think she’d be praised for her entrepreneurial spirit but I’m honestly not sure. The world hasn’t been so kind to women of strength and independence for pretty much all of history, so who knows?
Basically, the plot line of Miranda is that of a woman coming into her own, and discovering what true love, independence, and friendship are. The journey along the way is fraught with silliness, errors of judgment, awkward social situations, and a loving but judgmental mother. And, of course, the “gorgeous” Gary (Tom Ellis) – Miranda’s dream man since their Uni days…
There’s an ongoing, underlying plot that charts the growth and change in most of the characters in small incremental steps, but each installment is more episodic than serial.
Despite this, my husband, who hates these kinds of shows usually, adores the show as much as I do. And it’s not just because he loves me and knows me and therefore understands why this show resonates so deeply.
Miranda: My Favorite Episodes
The first episode, “Date,” is a strong pilot, mapping out characters, relationships, and expectations for the audience unfamiliar with the story’s origins found in the radio show Miranda Hart’s Joke Shop. And, if you didn’t know there was this previous series, you’d take the fourth-wall-breaking stylization as the show’s framework.
And though I do recommend the pilot as the entry point for the series for most viewers, I’d also like to recommend the Christmas specials as their own standalone delights. These are my absolute favorites, and we watch them any time we need a mood boost – particularly “The Perfect Christmas”, Season 2, Episode 6. Even apart from my great love for Christmas, this episode is one of the most ridiculously wonderful moments of television.
Other favorite episodes include:
- “Teacher” – Season 1, Episode 2 – Who could resist one of the Doctors having a total blast on Miranda? (We even asked him about it, and he said he had heaps of fun filming the episode.)
- “Holiday” – Season 1, Episode – I won’t spoil this with details, but it is a brilliantly funny episode about knowing yourself and enjoying guilty pleasures.
- “Dog” – Season 1, Episode 6 – Definitely has some awkward and uncomfortable moments, but winds up being one of the funniest and “ahh”-inducing episodes of the season.
- “Let’s Do It” – Season 2, Episode 3 – Packed with ridiculous scenarios, heartwarming moments, and the first solid revelations of the primary crux of the show’s long-term arc.
- “Just Act Normal” – Season 2, Episode 5 – The first bottle episode of the show, featuring a tiny cast and some hilariously awkward moments.
- “It Was Panning” – Season 3, Episode 1 – Another Christmas episode, and equally heartwarming, silly, and delightful.
- “Je Regret Nothing” – Season 3, Episode 4 – The other bottle episode of the show, and another turning point for Miranda’s story arc.
- Series Finales: Specials – “I Do, But to Who?” Parts 1 & 2 – The series finale which finally crosses all the bridges needed to bring the story full circle and bring home the most important lines of the entire series. These are the ones I could watch over and over but save for special occasions because of all the ugly crying I do when I watch them.
Problems With Miranda
For the most part, Miranda is a fantastically funny, heartwarming show full of empowerment and silliness any goofball can enjoy. However, I will admit there are a few cultural problems.
Occasionally, there’s some cultural appropriation (sometimes addressed and acknowledged), there’s too much potty humor for my particular taste, some questionable addresses of the LBGTQIA+ community (sometimes addressed), and there are some moments of women objectifying men (also sometimes addressed).
Despite these issues, the show is reasonably progressive for its time and setting (semi-posh British people fighting against the “not-so-posh” tendencies they have or those openly being rebelled against).
While I know some of the issues will make people uncomfortable (they do me!), the entire show is overall a positive message and delight for anyone who’s ever felt othered because of their looks, personality, or rejection of societal norms.
The Inspiration for Call Me Kat
If you watched the Mayim Bialik show Call Me Kat, you may have noticed a note: “Inspired by Miranda.” The shows have several similarities and you can definitely sense the inspiration in the American adaptation if you’re at all familiar with Miranda. Look for another article on Call Me Kat for comparisons and thoughts.
Why I Love Miranda
I’ve probably watched Miranda through in its entirety about a dozen times. I’ve watched all but the last couple of episodes dozens of times. I save the last two episodes for special occasions because I love them so much (and, as mentioned, ugly cry over them!), or for when I’m feeling inadequate and need to be reminded that I am enough.
The whole story really comes to its head in those final episodes and the whole reason the series exists is answered in a single declaration from Miranda when she discovers something truly powerful and necessary about herself – and for all women who have ever been told they aren’t pretty, thin, meek, quiet, gentle, whatever enough.
I can remember on many occasions when I’d been told one of those things. “You’re pretty but… you’re too loud.” “You’re nice enough looking, but you’re too bold.” “You’re too silly.” “You’re too independent.” “You’re too much.”
I won’t deny that men are told these things, too – I know many who have been, including my own husband – but it is predominantly women who are measured up and called failures because they demonstrate the same qualities that men are praised for or don’t meet traditional views of external beauty.
I can remember so many occasions when I was literally compared to men who did exactly the same thing – or more intensely – and then told I was wrong for doing them, while the men were praised as right for doing them.
I love Miranda because she reminds me that I, too, am enough – just exactly as bold, silly, outspoken, weird, ridiculous, independent, tough, strong, sweet, goofy, pretty, ordinary, extraordinary as I am.
I think every person who has ever been told they’re “too” anything should watch this show in its entirety and be reminded of and celebrated for being exactly who they are.
Looking for more? Check out reviews and roundups on some of the best TV, films, and books out there, plus some true stories on overcoming the negative narratives we’re fed.
- Iphigenia Murphy, a Fiction Book Review
- 38 Charlie, a True Story Book Review
- Best POC-Directed and Produced TV Shows
- Short Film Review: Gì Cũng Sửa (“Fix Anything”)
- Amazed By History, My Take on Concrete Cowboy, a Film Review
- Suffragette, a Film Review
- Best Cozy Mystery Shows and Where to Watch Them
- At Childhood’s End, a Fiction Book Review
- The Flying Housewife, a True Story Audio Drama
Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.
