Derry Girls (2018-2022)

L-R: James Maguire, Michelle Mallon, Erin Quinn, Orla McCool and Clare Devlin

The life of a teenager is hard but growing up in a war-torn country fueled by political and religious prejudice...well that's not exactly ideal living. In the mid 90s the town of Londonderry (or just Derry), Northern Ireland is a prime location for bombings and riots from the warring catholic/protestant sides, and also never-ending trouble from 16-year-old Erin Quinn and her best friends. Whether it's sneaking out to a concert (in spite of an escaped polar bear), getting rid of drug infused scones, stressing about their exams, endless conflict and confusion amongst their families and even getting arrested, it's safe to say that there's never a dull moment in Derry.

Content Warning: There is a lot of swearing in this show and sexual content that is more or less implied!

To understand the humor of Derry Girls, you need to know that context of Northern Ireland's dark history: 

When the country of Ireland declared its independence from England in 1919, 6 northern counties still professed its loyalty to England. At the time Ireland was subjugated by English Protestantism, even though they were the minority among the overwhelmingly Catholic population. The Irish protestants had backing and support from England which put them in control. This was seen as betrayal to many people in the northern territories and for generations, Northern Ireland was a battleground between the Catholics and the Protestants. 

By the time we get to Derry during the 1990s Troubles, generations have grown up and grown accustomed to bombings of bridges and highways, checkpoints, border control between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and military guards on the streets. However, what are a few bombs compared to the first day of school?

For Erin Quinn and her friends, Orla McCool, Clare Devlin, Michelle Mallon and James Maguire, life at their secondary school, Our Lady Immaculate College, run by the fatalistic, sharp-tongued Sister (George) Michael is just basic training for the war outside the school walls. 

Erin Quinn - aspires to be a writer, citing her life experience as 'a child of the crossfire' as inspiration. 

Orla McCool - Erin's cousin whose spacey nature conflicts with Erin's creative outlook. 

Clare Devlin - A bubbly and brainy student with severe anxiety and is frequently opposing her friend's troublemaking plans. 

Michelle Mallon - Wild, rebellious and is desperate to reach adulthood and live her life to party.

James Maguire - Michelle's awkward cousin from England who is made to attend the girl's school for his safety.

While they're not the most popular group in school, they definitely know how to turn heads from time to time. Their antics (that usually start off innocent and then snowballs into madness) give their families endless concern for their children's safety. When the kids aren't in school, they're almost always at Erin's house driving her parents (well her mother) insane.

Mary Quinn (Ma Mary) - Erin's strict but loving mother who cares for Erin's friends as if they were her own.

Gerry Quinn (Da Gerry) - Erin's hardworking and longsuffering father who puts up with more from his family than he really deserves.

Joe McCool (Granda' Joe) - Quick-witted widowed grandfather who dotes on his daughters and granddaughters, but despises his son-in-law, Gerry.

Sarah McCool - Orla's mother who is just as removed from reality as her daughter.

Anna Quinn - Erin's baby sister

Thoughts on Derry

Season 1

• If you want to watch this show, watch it with subtitles. Their accents are beautiful, but they can be hard to understand.

• I have learned the best slang and phrases from this show! 

Wains - kids/children

Happy days - That's awesome!

Craic - can be used as a greeting synonymous to What's up? - "What's the craic?" 

Cracker/that's cracker - describing something fun or new

Class - usually for describing something high end or similar to it

• The homage to the 90's music was great.

• I loved the Quinn/McCool household. You couldn't begrudge Erin's parents being so protective of her and her friends because they themselves had grown up in the same environment.

• Clare is probably my favorite character. I can relate to her desire to be good at many things, but also the anxiety that comes along as a result.

• I didn't like Orla at first because it seems like the writers didn't know what to do with her character and just wrote her to be the ditzy/stupid character. Upon rewatching the show, Orla grew on me, but I think they could have put more time and attention into developing her.

Season 2

• I'm glad they wrote the kids as just being in the regular social rung at their school. Not the super popular group, but not the loser group either.

• Sister Michael is an absolute icon. I loved her!

• The familial idiosyncrasies were hysterical. Such as the way the family would latch onto one minor issue and build a whole nonissue out of it.

• Going back to Orla, her father is never mentioned, and she goes by her mother's maiden name. It would have been interesting to investigate that part of her life.

• My heart just went out to James. He was such a good guy who tried to do the best he could with what life had thrown at him.

Season 3

• I loved "The Reunion," where we saw that their Mammy's were the original Derry Girls.

• "Jeanette Joyce, formerly O'Shea!"

• I had no idea they were that crazy about the USA.

• Orla's dance number in the series finale was amazing!!

• Liam Neeson's cameo appearance was...cracker!

• The final scene with Granda' Joe and Anna leaving the polling place was the most beautiful way to end the show!

My absolute favorite phrase!

Seriously, this show is fantastic! It's real and so very irreverent...but the Irish ability to find humor amongst their hardships must be hardwired into their DNA, because they do it so very well.