Last Tango in Halifax is always a dramatic event, but tonight’s episode was subdued on the dramatic highs and lows, and rightly so.
Beautifully held at a sensitive, calm, level this dysfunctional family, and its’ many off shoots, pulled together to be there for each other, in their own unique ways.
We were left hanging in the balance from last week; what was going to happen to Kate? As it turns out Kate was sadly taken from us, never to be seen again (except for the moments when she comes back from the dead to give Caroline very hindering parenting advice).
Devastated, as we all were, Caroline ploughed on through the funeral with a colic newborn baby screaming under arm. Heart wrenching as it was, writer Sally Wainwright managed to keep to keep us smiling through the tears. Alan nipped out for a crafty cig, with one of the teachers, to be caught red handed by Celia. ‘Oh shit,’ he exclaimed and our grief exhaled at a perfect laugh out loud moment.
Useless John managed to turn up to offer his condolences and sup the free red wine. When John met Kate’s mum (Ginika), it turned out that, despite being a very successful scholar, she had read, and actually enjoyed John’s novels. Wonderfully tripping on his massive ego John, John’s self-adulation gave us a moment of smiles within all the melancholy.
With Kate barely cold Gillian decided that poor Caroline hadn’t had enough to deal with and that it would be a good day to tell her that she was marrying Robbie. Ah Gillian, why do I feel like this isn’t going to work out well for you?
Slightly miffed that Caroline didn’t rush to congratulate her, she packed up the Landrover and headed back to Halifax, where there was further work needed doing on the tractor (I’m hoping Robbie buys her a new one as a wedding present because it’s caused her nothing but bother for three seasons).
After neglecting her new found brother for a fortnight, Gillian met up with the perfect Gary. Alan is proud as punch of his new son’s success, Lawrence adores him, even Celia was taken by him but Gillian is feeling a little bit of sibling rivalry. However, too good to be true Gary appears to be fraying a little (a lot) at the edges.
Back in Harrogate Caroline was left with a broken heart and a difficult dilemma – Who will be left helping her hold the baby? The choices weren’t great – moody Celia and the wine guzzler John, early retirement from a career she wasn’t ready to leave or a properly qualified nanny.
Personally, I would have gone for the latter option but then I didn’t have Kate coming back from the dead to tell me a nanny wasn’t what she wanted. Poor Caroline really wasn’t having a good week. Giving up her job wasn’t really an option (even if she put it in there), so option A it was. Except neither Celia or John wanted to do it. Hoorah. Option C it was. Sorry, Kate.
Sally Wainwright’s writing continues to entice, enthrall and entertain, but this episode was a real showcase of brilliant performances by a very talented cast.
Each and every one of them plays their part to perfection, and Sarah Lancashire excels. Committed and connected, her matriarchal Caroline is pitch perfect at every turn. She is a joy to watch, even in the very least joyful moments.
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 18 January 2015 on BBC One.
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