Everyone remembers Misfits, aka that show where a group of delinquents gained superpowers during a storm and went on to get themselves into a shit heap of trouble, time and time again. Sound mental? It was, but brilliant, nonetheless. Genius even. Dark yet hilarious, thoughtful but surface skimming in other aspects, it hit us on every level possible. So for those of you out there with a Misfits shaped hole in your heart, fear not. We've got just the solution for you.
Tg4 have taken the writing brains behind Misfits, Mike O'Leary, and applied his skill set to a brand new, very exciting show 'Eipic' and epic, it most certainly will be. Not sure what I mean? Here's everything you need to know and more about the hottest new drama, Eipic:
1) The main heart of the action takes place primarily in an abandoned post office.
You've got mail indeed. The main story centers around a group of social outcasts coming together and attempting to start a musical revolution with nowhere to go but their local (empty) post office. How very exotic indeed....
2) The show features some great Irish language covers of classics tunes.
This may be a musical drama of sorts, but let's get one thing straight here, it's no Glee. Think modern, Irish versions of indie hits like The Smiths, ' Frankly Mr. Shankly', FKA Twigs 'Video Girl and The Jams 'Town called Malice', to name but a few. What's that sound? Oh, it's just my foot tapping....
3) It casually just happens to tie in with the 1916 centenary celebrations.
Things were clearly very, very different way back in 1916 in Ireland, so it's pretty interesting to see how today's teens scrub up in comparison. From love life woes to wanting to rebel in whatever way possible, while the story and the setting may change vividly, the root issues stay the same. 100 years on and people are still as confused as ever? Yep, sounds about right.
4) Oh and keeping this theme in mind, there's a Michael Collins lookalike....
Coincidental? We think not....This lookalike just so happens to be an online friend of the protagonist, Sully and his (apparently very convincing) words convince the main man himself to follow through with his dreams and gather together a team of similar uncertain teens and outcasts to follow his musical dream. All very inspiring thus far....
5) The drama itself really explores what it means to be a teen 'hero' in a small, backward kinda place.
Some things in life can change in the flash of an eye while others? Well, others can stay the same for decades upon decades. Growing up somewhere small and suffocating, when you do something outside the realms of normality, it can shock those around you. So, when our teens here attempt to break outside of their normal boundaries, it is naturally met with a resistance of sorts. Not that that stops them....
6) And there are more than a few lols thrown in for good measure too.
Because although there are more than a few dark thoughts and actions bopping about the place, there are plenty of laughs thrown in for good, comedic measure too. After all, five inexperienced teens trying to make it in an abandoned post office in the middle of nowhere, all with big personalities and big dreams? A recipe for disastrous laughs if ever I've heard one.
7) But there's a deeper message in there too.
Yes, there's music, laughter, sarcasm and everything in between but perhaps most importantly of all, there's a message of hope, of inspiration and of battling everyday demons in whatever way you see fit, in this case, through the use of music. I'm suddenly feeling very inspired indeed....
8) The creators of the show say you should "expect plenty of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" - as Gaeilge.
They're bringing sexy back, or just bringing sexy to the Irish language, really. It's not something you'd normally expect from a rural Irish setting and our mother tongue, sure, but Eipic is breaking boundaries and expectations to boot.
The creators of the show say that the last thing they wanted was another watered down, unreal representation of Irish teenagers brought to our screens. Think no holds barred, no bullshit and no limits and you're on the right track (and it's post-watershed too, if you catch my drift........).
9) It has also been described as something that "Should look like a tv drama penned by Flann O'Brien on a Monday after EP."
And if that doesn't give you a pretty clear idea of its vibrant, outlandish and exciting tone and direction, then nothing will. Rural Ireland has never looked so damn exciting...
10) It has also, just so you know, been described as 'The Commitments for millennials'.
With a similar(ish) storyline and Irish roots, it's easy to see how this could be a comparison but while the basics of the story are the same, the stigma and air around the whole music scene, including social media and its influence on the story, changes. What the creators of the show want to make plainly obvious though, is the fact that the salty, down to earth realities and the bones of the story remain the same.
11) So now that you should basically be itching to watch Eipic....
...Why not sit back, relax, pour yourself a tall one and remember what it was like to be a teen battling for recognition and fame (which shouldn't be all that difficult, seeing as it was about three or so years ago)....
Watch the trailer here:
Tune into TG4 from Thursday the 4th of February and prepare yourself for some Eipic viewing....See the TG4 website for more information and to watch exclusive episodes online.
