You all seemed really happy that the #CurrentlyWatching feature is back, so in return I am more than happy to provide you with even more shows to watch/binge. Those of you who know me, know that I mostly only feature shows that I really love, but this one is especially near and dear to my heart. More about that later, here are the basics first.
Currently, there are two seasons of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency available. It’s very difficult to describe what kind of show it is, because it’s definitely not like anything out there. It’s a science-fiction, supernatural, fantasy, detective comic series based on the books by the same title written by Douglas Adams (yes, the Douglas Adams who also wrote The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, although it is nothing like the books). It originally aired on BBC America, but is available worldwide on Netflix (except in the US, where you can watch it on the BBC America website … I think?). Anyway, if you follow me on Twitter, you will have seen me running a little campaign to #SaveDirkGently, because BBC America cancelled the show without even waiting on the international numbers from Netflix. Show creator Max Landis said that not all hope is lost, if enough people watch it on Netflix, they might take over the show as a whole. So, please, please, please, watch it on Netflix!
Dirk Gently centers around the titular character has he tries to solve one of his curious cases. His new assistant Todd alongside with Todd’s sister Amanda and kick-ass Farah get dragged along the adventure as everything seems to be connected.
Dirk Gently (which is what I will call the show for simplification) is one of those series that doesn’t really fit in any kind of category. It’s the underdog that no one even expected to actually be produced, but once it was out there, it really shone bright … if people actually watched it. That’s one of the things with Dirk Gently, since it’s so hard to put into words what it’s actually about, it’s also extremely difficult to convince people to watch it. So, I am going to try my best at convincing you today!
As I’ve mentioned above, the show is nothing like the books by Douglas Adams. They took the core concept but then made it completely their own and that was probably way better than trying to replicate it exactly. It is extremely quirky, witty, funny, confusing and well acted. I am usually quick to guess where a plot may go, but whether you’ll like Dirk Gently or not, I can promise you it never gets boring. Thinking back to season 1, I didn’t even know what was happening for the most part of it, but I still adored every second of it. It’s like an intricate jigsaw puzzle and neither the characters nor you know what’s going to happen next, but in the end everything is connected and that’s the whole point.
There are a couple of reasons I enjoy this show so much. One of the most important ones is definitely the cast and the characters they represent. They are not afraid to be unconventional or ugly, which makes them feel real and complex even in the most unreal of settings. Whenever I am asked who I like best, I couldn’t possibly chose. Everyone has their own qualities and traits I love, but I have a real soft spot for the Rowdy 3 (who I can only describe as energy-sucking vampires?) and Amanda. Without giving away what will happen, there’s some great character development happening there.
Another thing I adore is the overall theme of everything being connected (which I have said quite a lot in this post already). When everything is chaos, it makes me feel comforted to know that there is a reason/purpose behind things. Yet, it isn’t just accepted as this all-powerful entity, but instead everyone questions it and tries to figure out their place and job in the scheme of things.
Lastly, I really enjoyed how different the second season was in comparison to the first, but how true it stayed to its core nonetheless. It was like we got a weird and eventful season one to introduce us to the players and then took it up a notch when the next season came around. Everything got a lot more personal, we got a hint at Dirk Gently’s sexuality and saw some (romantic and otherwise) relationships deepen and change.
I, personally, would love many more seasons, although I feel like it could be neatly tied up with one final third season. If you have the time and if I have persuaded you to give this show a shot, I would really love it if you watched it soon-ish on Netflix.
Did you know of Dirk Gently before this post? Have you already watched it? Let’s talk about it!
Life and Other Disasters 
Oooh, this looks interesting! I’m not sure if you know, but the series you mention is a remake of an earlier adaptation (it had Stephen Mangan in it). I’ve got no idea if the two shows are similar but you might want to check it out if it’s still available?
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Oh yeah, I know of that one, but this version of Dirk Gently is not a remake. They just happen to have the same source material haha
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Oh ok. I just thought that if you liked the newer series you might like the older one too 😊
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Thanks for the rec! 😊 I’ve seen bits and pieces and I am not sure, but I’ll take a look if I can find the full thing somewhere.
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I haven’t seen the show yet, as I want to check out the books first – but I’m really excited about it 😀
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I only know that the books are NOTHING like the show haha so, there won’t be much to compare and I hope you’ll be able to overlook that, because some people are bitter af about it not being the same.
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Now that I know about it, I don’t think I’ll be too disappointed 🙂
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That’s good!
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You’ve already told me to watch this show, and now chances are I will end up joining Netflix just so I can watch it and do my part to save it. I hate it when they cancel a show before getting the full statistical info worldwide. The concept of the show sounds like something I’d enjoy. I’m all for anything supernatural and funny, but also has a foot grounded in reality making it relatable and such. I’m such a mood watcher, but for you, I will watch this.
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OMG LOIS, I LOVE YOU <3!!!! I sincerely hope you aren't getting Netflix JUST for Dirk Gently hahaha they have some great content in general and there's always the free trial month if you change your mind haha
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Ach I hate when things are cancelled prematurely
I *love* the look of this and it sounds so unusual! The characters sound great too!
And as always delighted to see one of these posts! 😀
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The people are really rallying together for this show. It has a massive international fanbase from what I could see, so I truly hope that Netflix will just take over. I’ll believe it can happen until someone tells me otherwise haha
*whispers* tomorrow evening another #CurrentlyWatching goes up. I have two posts planned for each of the upcoming weeks.
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Ah hopefully!! hahha I get that!
Ahh yay!!! That’s awesome!!! 😀
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I completely agree with this whole post and I’m glad I found your website. I actually did my own little article on Dirk Gently as well and it’s so great to see someone who loves Dirk Gently for the same reasons. I have to admit the only reason I started watching is because Netflix changed the title poster to include Farah, Bart and Ken (if you haven’t seen it, it’s google-able or also on my blog which I would love your thoughts on if at all possible 😬) Before this change, I had skipped over the show multiple times. But I found the image of the diverse cast really striking and I immediately related to and drawn to Farah. Since the show is so hard to summarize I appreciated that switch as it brought the ensemble as a whole to the forefront. Anyways yes to all of this #SaveDirkGently
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Uuuh that’s interesting! I checked out what my Netflix shows and it still focuses on Todd and Dirk 😦 It’s probably different in various countries, but major yas for loving the fact that there are more POC in the show than the posters suggest! Farah and Ken are definitely among my favorites, especially now that Ken did that amazing 180 in character development. (Need to brag here for a second, but I freaked and did a happy dance when I saw that Mpho is following me on Twitter haha) I’ll definitely check out your post! ❤ Thanks so much for stopping by!
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No way! I’m definitely very jealous that he’s following you 😩 I think even if the poster included just Amanda more people might watch. I kinda wrongly assumed it was an all boys club and also so key how much of a difference it makes to be able to connect to the content you watch. This show deserves better promo and a bigger audience fo sho! Thank you in kind for getting back to me! 😄💛
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It came as a complete surprise to me, to be honest! Also, I totally get what you mean by the show appearing as a boys club kind of thing. I guess I didn’t really help much with the pictures I chose for my post, but I was working with a lot of promo material haha
I’ll forever be bitter about how easily BBC America brushed off the show without even waiting for international numbers but also cherish the show no matter what, because my set visit was one of the best days of last year haha.
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I was also shocked and horrified to learn that this show had been unceremoniously canceled. You’ve just given me a great excuse to binge both seasons again. Here’s hoping Netflix will pick it up. It’s a terrific series!
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Right? I really hope this show gets saved somehow.
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I actually started watching Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency because you recommended it (in another post somewhere, I really don’t remember where) and I fell in love with that show! ❤ I'm currently in the middle of the second season and I'm simply adoring everything about it. Thank you for recommending me such an amazing show! 😀 I also agree that it's a very hard show to describe, I tried to explain to a friend what it was about and struggled quiet a bit. I really hope that this show will be saved, I definitely NEED more of it!
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YOUR COMMENT MADE ME SO HAPPY, YOU HAVE NO IDEA!! ❤
It’s just like with people who pick up the books I recommend, there are few things greater than knowing people watched something because of you and liked it. Who’s your favorite character so far?
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Yaaay! I’m glad that my comment made you happy! ❤
I do have to agree, that's an amazing feeling. Wow, you just decide to ask me the hardest question ever! I ADORE soooo many of the characters and picking just one favourite is hard. I think I would have to go with Dirk, he is simply amazing and I'm really fascinated with him in general. Though I also really like Todd a lot and I have been liking Amanda more and more. Bart is also amazing, as are the Rowdy 3. As I said, I adore a lot of them! 😀 Who is your favourite character?
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Hahaha I know! Questions like that are never easy, but I can’t resist asking them nonetheless. So, my favourite is Amanda. I just think she is incredibly strong and I love her bond with the Rowdy 3, who I also love. I quite like Tina from the second season, but Dirk is just so quirky and lovable, I will always adore him too. Lastly, I have a soft spot for Friedkin and Ken haha
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Amanda is seriously amazing and such a strong character! I like Tina a lot as well, I also like Hobbs as well – they are both interesting characters and nothing at all how I expected them to be (them being law enforcement). Though that can also be said about the show in general!!
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Oh yes, for sure! Nothing is as it seems hahaha You basically have to live by that while watching Dirk Gently!
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[…] and Other Disasters brought back her Currently Watching feature and basically convinced me to watch Dirk Gently. Admittedly I fell asleep in the first episode because I was so tired. However, if you’re […]
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