(May Contain Spoilers)
This new BBC2 series is about a young couple who are wildly in love but are struggling to make ends meet with their expensive West London rent. With their shift patterns, Master chef Gemma (Thalissa Teixeira) and paramedic boyfriend Kieran (Gary Carr) are like passing ships in the night, which begins to cause stress on the relationship, as well as the increased financial pressure. The couple decide to take in a logger, Ray (Ariane Labed), a former world champion synchronised swimmer, but her arrival changes the trio’s relationship forever.
This first episode is beautifully shot, raw and emotional. It is funny, the characters are introduced so well, setting up the rest of the series and premise. The moments with the couple, before Ray moves in are so moving, as Kieran comes in from his night shift, Gemma is on her way out the door and they simply walk arm-in-arm around the house. There are beats of silence where the trio share a moment of silence in the bathroom trying to get glitter off from a party. They share their body bruises, the camera pans from one’s reaction to the other as the sexual tension builds. This episode exhibts a modern twist on relationships and shows the culture of living in London, wonderfully poetic piece of TV. I think this is a gentle reminder that we should not be taking our partners or loved ones for granted and to make the most of our time with them.
What We Learnt:
Ray is a synchronised swimmer, who injures herself in a competition
Kieran falls down the stairs trying to save an old lady and is late to meet Gemma
Gemma already starts without him, watching porn and starts to have phone sex whilst Kieran is on his way home
Ray arrives at the house and meets Kieran as she follows him into look at the house, although Gemma doesn’t realise and jumps out pant less to them and rushes into the bedroom embarrassed
Gemma and Kieran joke about her vagina and awkward situation, but offer the tenancy to Ray, who takes it
Gemma is bisexual
Gemma owns a small kitchen and is training young people
Ray’s parents help her move out and drop her off at the London house, although they are not impressed, respect Ray’s decision to move out and give her the car
Meanwhile Gemma’s kitchen is undergoing some developments to be painted, but she can’t afford it
Gemma wakes up Kieran who row as Ray arrives at the house
Gemma asks Kieran “can we address the way you just looked at her”, Kieran replies with the same question
Gemma feels like she is at breaking point, not being able to afford to paint a sign and have to take in a logger
Ray talks to her old swimming partner and goes to a modelling job
Kieran goes out to get Gemma his family wedding ring
Kieran asks Gemma to go out for a small drink (to propose) but when they get back to the flat Ray says she is bored and will go with them
They go to a drag club and party hard
Drag Queen’s call Ray and Unicorn, which means a third party to a couple, who make it a party!
Ray confesses to the couple about her past and her accident, they watch a video of her accident
The trio go back to the house and share their bruises in the bathroom whilst trying to get the glitter off from the party
The trio share a moment of silence in the bathroom, semi naked sexual tension in the air
Gemma reveals a scar down the centre of her stomach
Kieran doesn’t end up proposing to Gemma
Film Footnote: Episode 1 is directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari, who I met during a talk at BFI Futures Film Festival in 2018. It was very interesting the way she spoke about how she directs her actors, she spends months in rehearsal, which is why I am even more curious to see how this film director translated her methods to TV, an industry notorious for little rehearsal time. I do, however, think the direction of this episode is beautiful and it does have the style of an indie film. I think the acting is sensational and think it’s wonderful to see new, fresh talent on BBC2 screens.
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