Broadchurch is a critically acclaimed British drama series with Olivia Colman and David Tennant in the lead role. Being an emotional drama series, the only humorous elements in the show are from the socially awkward conversations between the detectives Ellie and Alec. Olivia Colman's Ellie Miller, with her deadpan humor, has produced some hilarious dialogue during these conversations.
Ellie with her trademark smile, sarcastic comebacks, and lovable traits, is one of the star attractions in the Chris Chibnall drama. Ellie and her superior, Alec Hardy (David Tennant), produce some awkward and touching moments. Ellie making fun of Alec's poor social skills and workaholic traits pave the path to some of these hilarious quotes.
"That's Parenting. It's Like One Constant Slap Around The Head"
The viewers see Alec struggling with parenting in the third season of the show and coming to Ellie for advice. Ellie had been raising her kids as a single parent after her husband was convicted for Danny Latimer’s murder. She responded with the above quote and gave guidance to Alec about single parenting. She added that she deals with parenting “by constantly absorbing feelings of failure, guilt, and shame”. Ellie did use this rare opportunity she was given by throwing in some philosophy mixed with humor. Ellie did make the situation sarcastic and funny when Alec consulted her for the first time.
"You Don't Eat Fish And Chips? What Kind Of A Scot Are You?"
A lot of hilarious sequences between Ellie and Alec take place when she eats something. Alec’s dull outlook on food irritates Ellie, who herself is an enthusiastic foodie. When Alec shows his disapproval at the fish and chips Ellie bought for him, she made fun of Alec’s idea of food being consumed only for sustenance. The food conversations between Ellie and Alec have produced some of the funniest quotes in the show.
“With Respect Sir, Move Away From Me Or I Will Piss In A Cup And Throw It At You”
Ellie had a very negative impression of Alec initially as she believed that Alec took the position which she was supposed to get. In Episode 3 of Season 1, Alec was planning for a ‘Reconstruction’ to find clues about Danny’s murder, and he wanted Tom, Ellie’s son, to do it.
Ellie didn’t approve of the plan and when Alec tried to convince her again with nasty remarks, Ellie shouted back at her superior. Ellie throwing tantrums at Alec is one of the funniest moments in an otherwise serious show.
"I Hoped You Might Choke On The Seeds"
Although this might look like a badass quote Ellie delivered in a heated argument, it isn’t the case. She was concerned about Alec’s health and was angry at him for not telling Ellie or anyone else how critical his condition was. This exchange happened at the hospital when she brought grapes while visiting the sick Alec. The exchange showed the care Ellie had for Alec, beyond a professional angle, and also how she delivers the same through witty statements.
"Thanks A Lot"
Olivia Colman doesn’t really need a long sentence to pump up the humor on screen. Her trademark smile and deadpan humor convey a lot. Alec is very blunt and doesn’t think twice before saying something. Twice in the show, Ellie responded sarcastically with ‘Thanks a lot" to Alec’s blunt remarks. One was when he questioned why even did Brian, a fellow detective, ask Ellie out. The other instance was when he needed Ellie to be friends with one of his old friends. His reasoning for Ellie being a good option was that “she isn’t overloaded with friends right now”.
"Are You Just Making One For Yourself?"
Alec’s poor social skills have consistently been a humor element in the show. On the other hand, Ellie is extroverted, and the fans see Alec eye-rolling every time she makes small talk with people in the town.
Ellie tries to pull Alec’s leg when he lands in socially awkward situations. Ellie raised the above question upon seeing Alec making tea just for himself despite both of them being tired after working on a case for long hours.
"Yep, I Pray Nightly That You'll Stop Asking Me Questions"
Alec is very suspicious in general and doesn't have faith in anyone or anything which frustrates Ellie a lot. Ellie and Alec had attended a session at church to look for suspicious acts from the attendees. Following the session, Alec was enquiring a lot about the prevalence of faith among the town residents. He further asked Ellie if she was religious. Ellie, who was annoyed by all the questions Alec sent her way, responded with this dialogue. She conveyed her frustration to Alec's suspicious character through this witty response.
“I Don’t Even Want To Do It Either, But It’s What People Do”
It had been some time since Alec had taken charge as the Senior Detective, and he still hadn’t been invited to his subordinate Ellie’s home. This exchange takes place when Ellie invites Alec for dinner at her place.
When Alec responds negatively, she said that she is also not really looking forward to it. She just called because that’s what people do, invite their bosses for a meal or so. The sequence was one of the funniest in the show with all the awkwardness in the air.
“Speak For Yourself”
Nothing annoys Ellie more than the workaholic Alec. During the investigation of Trish Winterman’s rape, Ellie and Alec went to check the alibi of a suspect. They went to an ice cream store as the salesgirl in the store was the suspect’s girlfriend. When the salesgirl asked if they need ice cream, Alec responded that they weren’t here for ice cream. It was here peckish Ellie responded with the above statement in a hilarious manner. Ellie never misses a chance to pull Alec's leg, and every time it raises up the humor on screen.
"Do You Live On Air"
Ellie really finds it hard to figure out how Alec survives with the amount of food he consumes. David Tennant gave life to a workaholic detective who considers food as just a means of sustenance. While they were investigating Trish Winterman’s case one day, Ellie asked to stop by to eat something, and Alec responded negatively. Ellie responded with this hilarious quote then. In addition to the humor, Ellie was also being considerate about Alec at this instance as he was getting obsessed and worried by the case.