Although I applaud a story that explores childhood abuse, this series comes up short despite some great acting by Stephen Graham (Joseph), Helen Behan (Anna), and Niamh Algar (Dinah). The scenes between brother and sister especially were very powerful.
The series was marred by too many questions that came up, however. First off, we are thrust into Joseph's story without any background info on his relationship with his ex. She's suddenly about to move to Australia. Why would she take their son so far away if he has a loving relationship with his dad? Why would Joseph agree to it; doesn't he have parental rights?
If Joseph is an alcoholic how can he start and stop drinking so easily? He seems to have left for Ireland the day after drinking all night at the pub (he's apparently been sober up until this point). Wouldn't he have been too hung over and sick to travel, especially considering how he had to wait so many hours for the next ferry and then having to walk a considerable distance to get to his sister's. Also, I could have done without the belching and vomiting scenes.
We hear Joseph's story about running away at 9-years-old to his aunt's in Liverpool. How did he manage that? With what money? Why didn't the aunt take him in the first place, and why didn't she try to find Joseph's sister? How did he manage at school, wasn't he traumatized about what had happened to him? How did he manage to get married and have a child if sex had such a traumatic effect on him? We're supposed to believe that he had suppressed his rape for 30 years, but wouldn't his first sexual experiences have triggered him?
Then there's Dinah's story. The care worker tells her that her son had sent letters and drawings years ago. Why did the worker believe Dinah's mother when she said Dinah didn't want to be contacted when the worker knew that Dinah had been forced to give up her son for adoption? Why wouldn't she try to find and talk to Dinah personally?
The scenes with Joseph confronting Nomad at the end were someone's fantasy of redemption. It's convenient Nomad was bedridden and in a weakened state. The fourth episode's ending seemed unfinished. Joseph, Craigy, and Dinah were all seeking a release from their demons but only Joseph walked away. What will happen to Dinah?
Strong acting and intense subject matter but ultimately too many plot holes.
The series was marred by too many questions that came up, however. First off, we are thrust into Joseph's story without any background info on his relationship with his ex. She's suddenly about to move to Australia. Why would she take their son so far away if he has a loving relationship with his dad? Why would Joseph agree to it; doesn't he have parental rights?
If Joseph is an alcoholic how can he start and stop drinking so easily? He seems to have left for Ireland the day after drinking all night at the pub (he's apparently been sober up until this point). Wouldn't he have been too hung over and sick to travel, especially considering how he had to wait so many hours for the next ferry and then having to walk a considerable distance to get to his sister's. Also, I could have done without the belching and vomiting scenes.
We hear Joseph's story about running away at 9-years-old to his aunt's in Liverpool. How did he manage that? With what money? Why didn't the aunt take him in the first place, and why didn't she try to find Joseph's sister? How did he manage at school, wasn't he traumatized about what had happened to him? How did he manage to get married and have a child if sex had such a traumatic effect on him? We're supposed to believe that he had suppressed his rape for 30 years, but wouldn't his first sexual experiences have triggered him?
Then there's Dinah's story. The care worker tells her that her son had sent letters and drawings years ago. Why did the worker believe Dinah's mother when she said Dinah didn't want to be contacted when the worker knew that Dinah had been forced to give up her son for adoption? Why wouldn't she try to find and talk to Dinah personally?
The scenes with Joseph confronting Nomad at the end were someone's fantasy of redemption. It's convenient Nomad was bedridden and in a weakened state. The fourth episode's ending seemed unfinished. Joseph, Craigy, and Dinah were all seeking a release from their demons but only Joseph walked away. What will happen to Dinah?
Strong acting and intense subject matter but ultimately too many plot holes.