Happy Epidemic - Mini Series Review

With the Coronavirus having a heavy impact on day to day life - especially within the arts, many creatives in the industry have used this opportunity to put their craft to good use within these difficult times. Jonathan Jude (co-writer & lead of 2019's award-winning LGBTQ short Him & Her) tackles the epidemic by writing and starring in a series of shorts about living in isolation in 202o.

Episode One Surviving Week One opens with our protagonist Jake (played by Jude), a university student abandoned by his mother in the early days of the virus in the UK, leaving him to fend for himself. We see Jake initially trying to take the situation in his stride - learning a new language, practising the piano, having a gamer marathon and barely managing to keep up with his studies online. The narration takes a slightly more serious shift when Jake starts to realise the seriousness othe situation has taken. With bulk buying, shopping for necessities became very difficult during the first few weeks - including basic food and the drastic and bizarre steps people were taking for toilet paper. Jude's characterisation instantly draws the viewers in and he cleverly balances humour and drama with Jake's witty dialogue and his physical performances within four walls.

The second episode, Hero opens with Jake starting to feel the effects of isolation and not having human interaction. He reflects on what he's missing about the outside world and declares he would want to go dancing - something his friend (voiced by Aude des Pallieres) remarks he's never shown interest in. This conversation inspires him to look for a dance partner and company online. This was an episode that could've focused on darker sides of isolation and the internet, but I was pleasantly surprised that Jude diverted from this expectation with a funny and a little endearing dance sequence. Although a new friendship has been formed over an distinguishable dance style, the episode ends of a cliffhanger - as Prime Minister Boris Johnson declares that the country is on lockdown, Jake starts to develop symptoms of the virus. This episode kept it's lighthearted style, but it did not ignore the seriousness of lockdown either - even with its fictional lead encouraging the public to stay at home.

The series finale Breathe Deep begins with Jake having an intense movie binge - but he gets over the worst of his symptoms, implying that he genuinely had a bad cough. After a yoga session with his dance partner - yes, Lazlo has many talents, his own version of modern dance. This episode did a great job at subtly reminding its viewers that it's vital to take care of your mental health and just as much as your physical health. This is reiterated when we see Jake meditating and realising he has to focus on taking care of himself in the place's he's in now - and probably ease up on any film or series binge he's been considering.

The series ends with Aude des Pallieres making her first screen appearance in the show by visiting Jake for his birthday - keeping to the two metre rule and gifting him with the best present to have in this epidemic - TOILET PAPER!

This series has definitely been a much needed relief, as well as being a humorous and positive piece of drama, Jonathan Jude neither makes light of the situation, preach to his viewers or ignores the struggles that this epidemic has presented. Jude had excellent chemistry with his supporting cast and crafted a professional visual quality to each episode - even in isolation. Jude also writes with an easy humour, not trying to force a laugh and instead lets the emotional or funny moments flow naturally.

All three episodes are available on YouTube HERE and I cannot recommend this series enough. With the quality of this production and storytelling, I’m very excited to see his upcoming indie film ‘Here’s to Life’ that Jonathan has in development. So make sure to give it a watch and Happy Epidemic - Stay Home and Stay Safe.