I watched the series and tonight's offering and again, couldn't help feeling that if the only company I had was Caroline's and Gillian's I'd run for the hills. There is a gloom which pervades the whole thing...and that's just the dialogue. It's set in old, crumbling, badly-lit houses too. It should have been entitled "It's Grim Up North" I reckon.
Yes, it's well written and well-acted but several times tonight, in several scenes I thought to myself "FFS,either cheer up woman or go and see a doctor about your misery and mood swings". Basically, it's a drama about miserable, pessimistic women who can hardly raise a smile.
Ann Reid and Derek Jacobi aren't the focus now. It's no longer about finding love late in life. They were in 'comedian and her stooge' roles tonight. There is nothing worse than being stuck with someone forever jolly, but pleasant and warm interactions wouldn't have gone amiss tonight. The haunted house, haunted barn and Ann Reid playing Madame Arcati felt a little forced. I'll continue watching but it's lost lots of credibility.