Last Tango in Halifax

I think Gillian and John would make a lively combination.

If she turns Robbie down isn't there a danger he'll drag up all the stuff about his brother's death again?

Yes I agree merlotgran but I think they would probably drink themselves to death !

I was wondering how Gillian managed to produce Sunday lunch for 9 people when she spent most of the morning outside tinkering about with a tractor.

With all the comings and goings and people stopping the night whenever they feel like it and a baby in the house, who's doing all the laundry?

How did Harry get home when he slunk off after lunch?

Yes that occurred to me merlotgran, when I do a Sunday lunch for the extended family I really don't have time to faff around with anything else, nice to see a kitchen table that can accommodate that many!

She was also worrying about having to buy and pay for food for so many at one point - yet the table seemed to be groaning with food and (particularly) drink!

If Kate is dead, do you think Caroline will blame the boys for taking her out of the way in order to drop them off?

iPlayer's review for the next of episode kind of gives the game away re Kate.

Not saying on here.

What about the baby's father? Not sure what the legal situation would be in such a case if he wanted to get involved.

Sorry, that should be preview

merlotgran I agree, I wondered how she managed to produce all that food (shopped, prepared, cooked and still managed to have a shower and blow-dry her hair nicely). Perhaps she went to M&S for a load of ready meals (with no money!).

The baby just gets left on the sofa/in the high chair as far as I can see and looks after herself. Although Raff did feed her and take her to change her nappy in the last episode. Does she ever get outside in the fresh air? It always looks so dingy and as if it would be a bit smelly in that house.

Most farms have dogs and cats around as well - no sign of any there. Shouldn't there be a sheepdog to round up the sheep?

I did wonder if Gillian had killed the fatted lamb for the dinner.

Aaaah but did you notice the pudding was a Tesco (or similar) Apple Strudel - which would hardly feed a family of five let alone nine!!

In true authenticity though they managed to show it a bit burned down one side which always used to happen whenever I baked one.

Rose I did see a sheepdog wandering in the field in one shot,but no sheep. The whole thing is unbelieveable which won't stop me watching .

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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 Independent's reviewer must have led a sheltered life

The Independent's reviewer must have led a sheltered life

posted twice all by itself

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

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)

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.