Spaced has always been my go-to series in times of turmoil and uncertainty. It’s like a warm cup of tea spiked with a double dose of ecstasy-fueled panache, and rapid fire pop culture references. This should come as zero surprise to anyone as the series’ style comes from writer/director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver), and the creative headspace of Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz), and Jessica Hynes (Years And Years).
This creative triumvirate created a series that is so incredibly ’90s and early ’00s (it ran on
Channel 4 in the UK in 1999 and 2001), with its dated tech and rave soundtrack, yet so
incredibly timeless. The pop culture references are what gets you in the door — they’re absurdly hilarious and smart. But what really keeps you in the series is its heart. In the midst of all the references to Star Wars and The Matrix, you’ll find this show is really about a bunch of mid-to-late 20somethings (including Nick Frost of The World’s End) and one wild landlady trying to find themselves in the world, and our two heroes Tim Bisley (Pegg) and Daisy Steiner (Hynes) realizing they’re the person they’ve been searching their entire lives for.
Spaced, which is currently streaming on Hulu and Amazon, may only be 14 episodes long, but it demands multiple viewings as there are so many layers and jokes to it that you’ll miss on the first go-around.
Post-Spaced Fun: If you love Spaced, especially the music, head over to Spotify and check out the curated Spaced playlist, created by director Edgar Wright. This is an extensive list that features the likes of Fatboy Slim, Propellerheads, Super Furry Animals, John Denver, Dexys Midnight Runners, and Groove Armada.
