Watch Gary: Tank Commander

Gary: Tank Commander was a Scottish comedy television series aired on BBC Two that premiered on October 27th, 2009, and ran for a total of three seasons until October 9th, 2012. The show was created and starred Greg McHugh, who plays the titular character, Corporal Gary McLintoch, an incompetent and irreverent tank commander in the fictitious British Army unit based at the semi-derelict Oswald Barracks in Scotland.

Gary is a typical Scottish guy from the fictional town of Milhaven, who, despite having no leadership qualities or military training, has been assigned to lead his crew of tank soldiers, who are equally inept as Gary. The show follows the daily lives, misadventures, and hijinks of Gary, his crew, and their misfits, as they navigate through their mundane existence of performing pointless military maneuvers and attending sham parades, interspersed with the occasional unexpected operation.

The supporting cast of the show is made up of Gary's fellow tank crew members, with Scott Fletcher playing Spud, Robert Jack playing Charlie, and Paul-James Corrigan playing Jacko, all of them sharing their own unique comedic timing and delivery. Each character brings their comic sensibilities and quirks to the show, and they are often the source of many of the show's laughs.

In the first season of the show, Gary is seen struggling to adapt to his new role as a leader and often makes absurd decisions, leading his team to embarrassment and failure. However, despite his incompetence, Gary maintains the respect of his crew through his loyalty and willingness to stand up for them.

As the show progresses, it becomes clear that Gary's character is not all bark and no bite. He may be bumbling, but he is also resourceful when placed in unexpected situations. In season two, Gary finds himself in a more challenging position, leading a multi-national peacekeeping convoy through the streets of Afghanistan. This is where the show's humor takes on a more satirical nature, poking fun at the absurdity of conflicts and the way nations handle their military presence abroad.

The show's writing and humor are a highlight as it plays with parodies of classic war films, sitcom tropes, and Scottish idiosyncrasies, allowing for various styles of comedy to cater to a wide range of audiences. Comedic situations arise out of mundane moments, like a tank malfunctioning, or from the crew's unrealistic expectations of military life based on Hollywood war films.

At its core, Gary: Tank Commander is a satire that highlights the absurdity of army life while showcasing the comedy and charm of Scottish humor. It also highlights the importance of an undying loyalty and brotherhood that exists between soldiers, despite their diverse backgrounds and talents.

In conclusion, Gary: Tank Commander is an excellent comedy that showcases the talent of its creator and cast, who have created a visually stunning and hilarious world of Scottish military misadventures.