Inbetweeners Series 1-2

When Christmas time comes each year, I always look to update my British TV collection with the extra money I recieve. One of the shows that caught my eye because it was recommended for me based on my choices of purchases before was the Inbetweeners Series 1 & 2.
Amazon's description Combine the juvenile smut of SUPERBAD with the cringing embarrassment of PEEP SHOW, against the 'stylish' backdrop of GRANGE HILL, and what do you get? E4's hilarious comedy THE INBETWEENERS. A super sharp, one-liner packed celebration of the highs and lows of being a teenager. Perfectly capturing the relentless disappointment of suburban adolescence, the show's four main characters yearn for sex, booze and cheap thrills, without the emotional maturity, money or ID to get them. Briefcase-carrying nerd Will (Simon Bird) has recently left the relative sophistication of private school to join Rudge Park Comprehensive, where he befriends Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake Harrison); a group precariously straddling the social gulf between the in-crowd and the outcasts. This release contains the complete first and second series.
Sounded pretty good from the description and was cheap enough that I had to give this show I was unaware of a shot. When it arrived I put the first series in and unlike some shows I couldn't stop watching. I felt as if this series was telling the stories of myself and the group I hung around in high school with. Sad part is I could pick and choose friends to be each character throughout my life that would fit each character. On this fact alone it was really great. I could also easily picture this show as the characters of Only Fools and Horses in their school years. Even though Will is the main character he passes for Boycie with an annoying laugh and acting he is better than everybody else. Simon is Rodney Trotter he seems to be able to get girls, but as a result of his friends' actions he can't hold onto them not to mention he drives a crappy yellow car nobody wants . Jay is DelBoy hands down and it is easy to see why they casted him in Rock and Chips he comes up with the majority of the ideas of how to get women, alcohol, and the things these guys do. Neil is another dead ringer for Trigger just seems to follow the group makes random statements and has no clue as to what is going around him. Lets not forget the character Mr Gilbert played by Greg Davies as the school's headteacher always on these guys case his character seems to be an evil and makes me think Martin Clunes is perfect for the role. Now onto the stories of each series.
Series 1
Episode 1 - "First Day"
Meet Will MacKenzie. As if life wasn't bad enough, Will is forced to leave the private school he loved because his mother cannot afford it now that his father has run off and abandoned them. Will quickly makes enemies with students and faculty with every feeble attempt to fit in with his peers. Assigned to be Will's guide at his new school, Simon and his friends, Jay and Neil, soon find themselves unable to break free as Will forces himself into their circle. Things go painfully wrong when Will and his 'new friends' attempt to get served in a pub for the first time.
Episode 2 - "Bunk Off"
Simon loves Carli. And love conquers all—right? So when Will, Simon, Jay and Neil decide to cut class and drink, Simon figures what better way to declare his love than with a piece of art. Seemingly on the right track, Will and Simon decide that drunk works but they soon find out that drunk doesn't work as they proceed to offend, accuse and eventually humiliate themselves into a moment of clarity.
Episode 3 - "Thorpe Park"
Freedom. That's what's in store for everyone if Simon passes his driving test. Will, Jay and Neil become very excited with the prospect of having their very own driver. They plan their first road trip to an amusement park in an effort to ride roller coasters and chase girls. One problem, Simon is not that good of a driver and just getting to the park takes a huge effort. They make it to the park right before closing but things soon get unhinged as they try to salvage what little time is left.
Episode 4 - "Girlfriend"
Party, Party, Party. Will neglects his hard-won friends when he has a surprising chance to hook up with the oh-so-fit and very popular Charlotte Hinchcliffe at a party. It's like old times after Will and Simon have a falling out, but Simon realizes he may be outgrowing Neil and Jay. Everyone is in for a shocker when they all attend a high school production of 'The Dating Game.'
Episode 5 - "Caravan Club"
Caravan club is a sexfest. Jay's seemingly tall tales of his conquests whilst caravaning lead the boys to call his bluff. They decide to pack up and join Jay's family for an excursion and are quickly introduced to the 'pleasures' of caravaning. While attending a party, Neil feels the beat of the rhythm of the night, Jay continues to weave his web of lies, Simon makes a 'mild' miscalculation and Will... well, Will just skids.
Episode 6 - "Xmas Party"
Chairman Will. It's the end of the term and Will decides to make a name for himself by overseeing the Christmas Prom Committee. Lucky for him no one else wanted the job. Either way--he is taking it very seriously and managed to get his friends to help. Simon wants the dance to be special and plans to finally make his move on Carli with the help of Jay, who is also DJ'ing. With the gang all making plays for significant others, Neil puts on his unique charm for a member of the faculty. Suffice it to say it is a proper ending to an eventful term.
Stand out episodes First Day, Thorpe Park, and Girlfriend look out for a suprise appearance by Anjli Mohindra who plays Rani in the SJA Adventures in this episode

Series 2 picks up shortly after series 1
Episode 1 - "The Field Trip"
All aboard. It's a new term and that means it's time for the Geography and Sociology field trip to the seaside town Swanage. The trip gets interesting when Will cozies up to a friendly new student, Lauren. Unfortunately she has eyes for someone else--Simon. Jay sets out on a quest to find a legendary older woman who supposedly has a thing for young lads and Neil inadvertently dodges the advances of a more-than-willing but oh-so-wrong lover. The friends do make time for each other with a nice, quick boat trip on the water that ends up being anything but.
Episode 2 - "Work Experience"
Paperboy Will. As work experience week approaches, Will sets his sights on a newspaper job but ends up with an auto garage job that was meant for Neil. Attempting to fit in, Will simultaneously offends his co-workers and talks up his Valentine's Day plans with Charlotte at an underage disco. Simon gets some "love" on the dance floor while Will explains his loose talk to Charlotte, but all four friends run for cover as their night doesn't go according to plans.
Episode 3 - "Will's Birthday"
Happy birthday! It's Will's 17th and he wants to celebrate by having a mature dinner party with his friends and their dates. Problem #1: Will's party is the same night as far more popular, Louise Graham's party. Problem #2: none of the lads can get dates minus the one they hire. They decide to go to Louise's party and soon realize that even Patrice, the French exchange student staying with Simon, is more popular than them.
Episode 4 - "Night Out in London"
Clubs not pubs. Will tries to 'seize the day' by suggesting they all reinvent themselves by doing something cool like clubbing in London. Simon isn't having any of it until he uses the opportunity to impress/invite Carli and her friend.
A night out in London seemed like a great idea until the lads encounter insulted bus passengers, strict bouncers, a dirty hobo and one very, very, VERY upset delivery man.
Episode 5 - "The Duke of Edinburgh Awards"
Duke of love. Will gets picked by Mr. Gilbert to coordinate the school's efforts for The Duke of Edinburgh awards. He jumps at the chance and realizes he can accomplish the charitable work requirement and potentially hook up with his old babysitter, Daisy, by volunteering at the senior citizens home where she works. Simon sits out of the volunteer work on account of his parents' recent separation; which just leaves Jay and Neil to help botch things up at the home, with Will's new lady friend and with the awards.
Episode 6 - "Exam Time"
Pencils down. The end of year means it's exam time and the lads are all coping with it in different ways. Will is completely stressed out and chooses to OD on energy drinks, Simon helps Carli study in lieu of prepping for his own exams, Jay wants to spend time with his new girlfriend and Neil is, well, just busy being Neil.
With so many low points in a crazy year one can't imagine just how much lower things can sink for Will, Simon, Neil and Jay. Good thing we don't have to--instead, just sit back and watch.
The Field Trip and Work Experience are the best episodes
Story - B- There are some good episodes in here, but the ideas seem to keep getting repeated often and at time get old
Video Quality - B A little bit of compression shows on darker colors, but the upconversion for the player I use gives some very nice colors and makes the images and detail look nice.
Special Features - D- Standard commentary, Deleted Scenes, Video Diaries, Meet The Cast, and a making of documentary. The Majority of these features are standards on most tv shows and nothing really spectacular to stand out.
Overall C A Decent series with nothing really special to make it stand out compared to other tv shows released on dvd.
I like the series, but it is not for everybody. If your interested in seeing it I suggest watching it on BBC America before buying it and decide for yourself.