“Transaction,” a British sitcom that flips the script on the usual portrayal of trans characters, feels like stepping into a supermarket that’s trapped in a bubble of chaos—only, no customers ever show up. Instead, what you get is a quirky, bizarre workplace where the staff are more caught up in their own dramas than any real retail hustle. The lead, Olivia, a trans woman who’s anything but your typical role model, drifts through the show like a hurricane of laziness and mischief, turning every interaction into a volatile mix of charm and frustration. Honestly, it’s refreshing—and, at times, downright hilarious—to see a trans character who’s selfish, easily bored, and unapologetically self-serving. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how she manipulates those around her, especially when her excuses for dodging work revolve around a surgery she isn’t even sure she wants. Talk about complicated!
At the heart of the story is Simon, the supermarket manager whose well-meaning but blundering attempts at inclusivity lead to some true comedy gold, especially when he launches an ad campaign that accidentally comes off as transphobic. His cringe-worthy efforts to “fix” things—like looking up “transgenders in the area”—highlight how good intentions can sometimes backfire spectacularly. Simon’s earnestness is oddly endearing, making him one of the few characters you can root for amid the utter ridiculousness. Then there’s Millie, the tiny but tenacious dwarf employee, whose sweet but exploited kindness adds a subtle layer of warmth to the show’s offbeat humor. I found myself rooting for her despite how often Liv steamrolls over her good nature.
What grabbed me the most was how “Transaction” uses slapstick and workplace comedy to bring lightness to serious issues, without getting bogged down by preachiness. The writing isn’t always tight and some characters feel a bit sketchy on depth, but that’s the charm of a sitcom, isn’t it? It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes uncomfortable—but that’s what makes it so alive. Watching Liv, created and played by the show’s own mind behind the scenes, stumble through attempts at connection with her coworkers felt genuinely touching under all the chaos. There’s a strange loneliness hidden beneath her wild antics—like a spotlight revealing cracks in a trembling stage mask.
What really struck me was how this series doesn’t try to be politically correct or sugarcoat anything. It throws you into the chaos with a wink and says, “Just enjoy the ride.” And I found myself doing exactly that: laughing, groaning, and sometimes cringing, but always engaged. “Transaction” slyly nudges you to reconsider what “inclusivity” actually looks like, all while delivering punchlines that hit home in the most unexpected ways.
If you’re looking for something light yet surprisingly nuanced, with characters who feel palpably real in their flaw and folly, this six-episode binge is a weird little gem worth your time. Take it off the pedestal, toss out the preachy handbook, and just let yourself get tangled up in the mess. Sometimes, that’s where the funniest truths lie.
Olivia’s chaotic charm feels so human – her surgery avoidance schemes made me laugh while highlighting messy reality. Simon’s accidental ad campaign blunder is painfully relatable, though I wish we’d seen how that subplot resolved. The show’s knack for balancing dark humor with flawed characters really sticks.