Acorn Media is currently releasing a number of British television shows on DVD in the United States. One of the latest releases, which went on sale this past week, is Demob. The title refers to Demobilized, meaning, it is about a couple of soldiers who have just gotten home from World War II and are released back into the general population. Both have a hard time coping with their new life, and suffer a number of setbacks. While set in the 1940's, the show aired in the fall of 1993, and the DVD release contains all six episodes.
The two discharged soldiers are Ian Deasey (Griff Rhys Jones, Alas Smith and Jones) and Dick Dobson (Martin Clunes, Doc Martin). Deasey has a job and a family to come home to, while Dobson would like to avoid going back to his father's farm, and does, for awhile. Deasey and Dobson were entertainers in the army, often delivering jokes and songs for the men. Once home, Deasey has little desire to continue to work his boring job, while Dobson is a roll-with-the-punches kind of guy, floating along. Both have a hard time adjusting, and end up going through a series of adventures together while they seek a life post-war.
The series raises a number of issues about those demobbed boys. They are now used to a very different life than the one they have at home, and so struggle to fit into society. What happens is a restlessness. Dobson gets involved in shady deals, mainly at the behest of Rudy (James Faulkner, Bridget Jones's Diary), who is, more than anyone, the villain of the show. Dobson drags Deasey into the messes with him. Deasey, meanwhile, seeks a career in show business, of a sort, whether it be theater or radio. They are often joined in these endeavors by the lovely Hedda (Samantha Womack, EastEnders), who has a delightful voice, and is eventually a love interest for Deasey,
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