With US show Welcome To Flatch set to be released this year, it’s time to appreciate the show that inspired it: This Country. The show follows the day-to-day lives of cousins Kerry and Kurtan, two disillusioned young people from a small English town in the countryside. As in any small town, there are a wealth of memorable, quotable characters in the show.
This Country is a hit because it represents the life of anyone who grew up in a little-known town, where there’s not much to do except wind up your neighbors. Written by the stars of the show, real-life siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper, This Country is full of mirthful moments.
“He’s Not The Big Brother I Wanted, He’s An Idiot.”
Both Kerry and Kurtan are intimidated by their neighbor Big Mandy - so when Mandy joins Kerry’s book club and begins to take over, the other members aren’t that pleased with the situation. When they meet up to discuss The Jungle Book, and meek book club member Kayleigh offers a reasonable analysis, Mandy scathingly rejects it with a steadfast, “That’s wrong.”
She also rejects the vicar’s summary of Baloo the bear as being like the brother he’s always wanted, when she tells him, “He’s not the big brother I wanted - he’s an idiot.”
“I Spent Another 20 Minutes Looking For Stripe Paint.”
Against Kurtan’s better judgment, he agrees to work for Kerry’s dad’s building company. While he needs the cash, Kerry’s dad Martin doesn’t make life easy for him.
Not only does Martin tell Kurtan to bring in a homemade cake and buy the drinks at the pub, but he also has him looking for tartan paint. Kurtan, unfortunately, still goes on to search for stripe paint. “Took me half an hour to work out it’s the same joke.”
“One Of Them’s Turned Hard Like A Stone.”
In the finale of series one, Kurtan explores the idea of leaving the village to go to college in a nearby town. While he discusses his plan with the vicar, he’s fearful of Kerry’s reaction to the news. So when she asks what he was talking to the vicar about, he tells her it was “man stuff.”
More specifically, Kurtan tells her that the vicar has a problem in which one of his testicles has “turned hard, like a stone.” Kerry’s disgusted look suggests she wishes she hadn’t asked.
“I’ve Come Up With A Business Idea That He Would Have Lapped Up Like A Thirsty Mule.”
Kurtan is right to be worried about Kerry’s reaction to his suggestion of leaving the village. It causes a sizable rift between them which lasts for most of the series one finale. Whenever Kerry feels wronged, she always puts on a brave face - and their falling out is no exception.
But her turn of phrase is always brilliant and evocative. Suggesting Kurtan would have lapped up the idea of starting a taxi firm called “Aardvark Taxis” like “a thirsty mule” might be overstating the business plan’s potential, but her conviction is always hilarious.
“Correct Me If I’m Wrong, But 4 Texts A Day Is Complete Madness.”
Unlike Kerry, Kurtan dabbles in the dating world a few times over the course of the show - but he’s unimpressed with the expectations that come with modern-day romance. Discussing a recent relationship, he claims he “set the bar too high” by replying to his girlfriend’s texts on the regular in order to “reel her in.”
Kurtan sticks with his fishing analogy, which soon stops making sense: “Now the fish is in the net, I ain’t gonna keep throwing worms in it. That’s a waste of worms.”
“Heinz, Heinz, Wherever You May Be, I Am The Lord Of The Heinz Said She.”
One of the purest moments in the show is Kerry’s sheer delight at being crowned Lord of the Harvest for the upcoming Harvest Festival. As she sorts through the donations, she comes across a branded tin of baked beans - and immediately breaks out into song.
She follows up the song with a rendition of “When The Saints Go Marching In,” replacing “Saints” with “Heinz.” The funniest moment comes when she convinces June, a little old lady, to join in the song with her.
“He’s Absolutely F***** It There.”
Kurtan takes his job at the bowls club very seriously, despite initially not wanting the job because it meant working with a load of “old stinkers.” But he soon considers himself a bowls aficionado, commentating on the vicar’s performance in particular.
The vicar’s haywire bowls shot causes Kurtan to lament the attempt. “So disappointing. If I had it my way, I’d just haul him off.” Kurtan’s newfound love for his job is as funny as it is endearing.
“There’s Nothing Left That Hasn’t Been Plummed.”
In perhaps one of the most West Country storylines to ever be put on screen, Kerry gets home to find her house has been “plummed” - literally meaning a shedload of plums have been launched at her house.
She finds plums everywhere, and says so - “plumming on here, plumming on that, plumming on the sofa.” The whole scene is so unexpected - and yet so on-brand - that while it’s funny, it’s also a brilliant depiction of the boredom faced by kids from the countryside.