Last Tango in Halifax

We thought Robbie was a bit slow on the uptake re the judge discussing the case with his daughter. He's a policeman isn't he?

Maybe this will turn out to be Harry's salvation?

I kept off this thread until I'd watched the latest episode on catch up last night. I wept when Caroline was called in to the relatives room by the consultant. I've enjoyed the comments made by others about the way families in RL are so like the ones in Last Tango. I also liked the reference earlier on this thread to Gillian's 'therapeutic tractor.' I enjoy the odd shot of Raff's baby, who seems always to be sitting with a dummy or food in her mouth, contentedly watching life unfold in front of her.

I wonder if the Judge who is to decide on costs can be blackmailed, as he's talked about the case with his daughter? I do hope so. Her comment that if you let Gary in to your life, he'll control it was another cracker.

As for Kate's baby, I think that because she and Caroline had married, that gives Caroline parental responsibility automatically. That wouldn't prevent a resident/contact dispute between her, the baby's father and Kate's mother though…….

I noticed on the last episode of LTH when Alan was making the baby feeds, he didn't level the top of the scoop off!!! he just tapped it on the tin!

I've been to hotels like the one in Benidorm. I wouldn't keep going back though

I too wondered how Gillian was cooking the Sunday lunch. The housewife (head cook/bottle washer?) in us is never far below the surface.
This series is maintaining its excellent writing and acting. Next week's Radio Times was delivered today and I made the mistake of looking at the details of the next episode so if you don't want to know the outcome of Kate's accident don't look at the cast list.
I also watch Benidorm but thnk this series is not so good.

I hope that Gillian has a good supply of condoms under her pillow!

I love Benidorm. Not sure it will be the same without the Garveys. Now back to Last Tango. I agree re Gillian

I agree. She's certainly a much more sympathetic character than any of the others - and what a contrast to buttoned-up Caroline!

I can believe two men want to marry Gillian. They find her exciting.

I think the tractor is a therapeutic tractor. There's probably nothing wrong with it, but it's something to take her mind off her chaotic family life. "Oh st**f you lot! I'm going to strip a carburettor down! And don't anyone dare disturb me (except oily John!). Where's my bl***y spanner?" I like Gillian.

The earlier series were much funnier.

I notice the actor who plays the middle aged husband (the wonderfully dreadful Madge's son in law) is cropping up all over TV at the moment, most recently Mapp and Lucia.

I love Benidorm too petallus there is something about the dysfunctional characters that made my life seem almost normal.

Not so sure about the new series though. I was wondering if perhaps it had run its course, but Johnny Vegas is back this week (I think) which should be a giggle.

I have watched Benidorm but not recently. I can only watch it if DH is out (not that he is averse to watching what I think is rubbish)

It's my favourite prog at the moment. I have no wish to watch the washing being done or the spuds peeled.

On the topic of reviewers having led a sheltered life, yes DH and I often laugh ar this. We used to love the Royle Family which was referred to in The Guardian as 'dysfunctional '. To someone who was', I'm guessing, posh and boardinf school educated maybe, but not to us.

I can't quite go that far with Benedorm (I'm probably the only person on GN who watched that) although there were people very similar in my street.

I wondered how Gillian could be so relaxed outside when she was going to have to cook a huge lunch! I wish that I could do it so effortlessly! (And look good)

rosequartz that thought about sheltered lives is exactly what prompted my response.

posted twice all by itself

The Independent's reviewer must have led a sheltered life

The Independent's reviewer must have led a sheltered life

I had to smile at the Independent's review:
Within the short space of three episodes we’ve been confronted with the secret lovechild, a late-term miscarriage, an argument between Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid), Gillian’s two proposals, and now Kate’s accident. Frankly, we’re emotionally exhausted.
My mum has eight children, twenty three grandchildren and several great grandchildren. In my experience the sort of events happening in Last Tango are all par for the course when there's a large extended family and overlapping friendship circles.

The re-telling of the lock was priceless, goldengirl!

Have you ever started saying something then tailed off because ..... oh, the embarrassment!

Gary's wife retelling the narrowboat stuck in the lock story as relayed by her father was really cringeworthy. I also find it amazing the Gillian has not one but 2 men after her! But my favourite character is Alan. I just love Derek Jacobis expressions - he's wonderful - and I liked the way he was holding the baby's hands when asleep on the settee - very cute. Certainly never a dull moment in this prgramme

I must stop being cynical - I do enjoy it!!

I read recently that Anne Reid (Celia) had asked Sally Wainwright not to make her character 'too nice' - well she is certainly succeeding in this series!

Yes mishap. I loved the way Caroline managed to change so convincingly from cool, controlled professional woman to frightened child just wanting her mum when the chips were down.

Yes - I could not understand how she could be tinkering with the tractor when she needed to be at the shops buying (?stealing!) food and cooking.

The acting is very good though.