I didnt watch this when it was first shown on Channel 4 but have recently come to adore it.
Originally the pilot was broadcast then a six-episode series was shown much later. The reaction to the pilot was mixed, with many considering Gervais' portrayal of Derek to be offensive, due to the perceived mental disability of the character leading some critics to suggest that Gervais was making fun of the mentally ill.
Gervais was quick to publically answer the question people were asking and state that not only was Derek not mentally ill but asked "what difference would it make if he was?" and after watching the series I have to agree with him. He was even able to work this into the series, through the way certain characters in the series see him as opposed to the way the main characters in the show, those closest to him, see him.
Derek is a volunteer in a care home for the elderly. The other main characters are Dougie, the caretaker and Dereks housemate, as well as Kev, the lonely, drunken, unemployed friend of both, and Hannah, the manager and head nurse of the care home. In Gervais' own words Derek is intentionally unintelligent, childlike, dresses badly and has "crap hair" so as to not to confuse the audience. He has stated that all of that, all of the material and unimportant things that make Derek who he is had to clearly contrast who he REALLY is, and who he really is, according to Gervais is "a hero". All of those material things help to show you who many in society perceive Derek to be, yet when you really watch the show you learn that Derek is selfless, loving, caring, and most importantly kind. Again, as Gervais himself has stated, "His kindness comes along and trumps all".
Maybe its just because I didnt watch the pilot on its initial broadcast. Maybe its because I was able to watch all seven episodes back-to-back, but I struggle to comprehend the criticism of the show in the ways I have outlined because frankly, when Gervais asks if it would change anything at all if Derek was infact intended to be mentally handicapped, it would not. Derek is quite possibly the most touching, sweet and adorable show I've ever seen.
It takes some of the touching and "real" dramatic moments from The Office, where the brilliance of that show was in how David Brent sees himself as opposed to how everyone else sees him, and showcases some of Gervais' best dramatic writing in a situation where there is no difference whatsoever between how Derek sees himself and how everyone else sees as him, as they are both one and the same. Derek is honest, genuine, forgiving and kind.
There is a wonderful scene in the show that sums it all up beautifully for me, as both an example of exactly how Gervais was able to explore his unexpected criticism between the airing of the pilot and the series and also of exactly what Derek is all about. It comes in an episode where the care home is under threat of closure as the council are withdrawing funding, and the representitive from the council who is there to carry out an investigation angers the staff by questioning Derek directly about his mental health. When asked if he has ever been tested for autism or would consider taking a test, he asks if he would die if he did have it, he is told no. He asks if it would change his life or change who he is, and is told no. He then replies "Well, dont worry about it then".
I've now watched the seven episodes five times. In my opinion it shows a whole other side to Gervais and his work. Alot of the initial criticism, it would seem, could easily have just as much to do with the fact that Derek is played by Ricky Gervais, and influenced by the way some perceive Ricky himself to be. A ruthless, arrogant, offensive "comedian". I find it quite ironic that those who feel that way judged this show immediately, before they had even probably ever seen it and this show is actually the one thing he has ever done that may just change their minds. If it has a second series as good as the first, then this show will actually be my favourite thing he has ever done. And I loved The Office.