Last Tango in Halifax

I've just seen this on catch up and, I think Sarah Lancashire, playing Caroline, looks better for having put on a little weight. Some GNs on this thread have mentioned it as if it was a bad thing.

Sarah is six years older than Nicola Walker, playing Gillian, who is too thin and haggard looking and looks at least six years older. To be fair to Nicola, it may be that the part required her to look like that and the make-up department have made her look worse.

I think that when a woman is under thirty five or forty being on the thin side probably makes her look more youthful but as she gets older it is better to put on a bit of weight, even if she does get criticised for it. I wish I was in such good shape as Sarah Lancaster. (I can't actually remember what shape I was at her age. It was so long ago!)

As I watched Gillian stressing about killing her husband DD asked me what I was watching. All I could say was 'But it's got a U Certificate!!'
I want to see the full version of the amateur 'Blithe Spirit', please!
'Peter Pan Goes Wrong' was pretty good.

The Christmas special was nothing like as good as the original series, it may have run its course now. Agree with gettingonabit.

I want the aga !!

I haven't seen the original series, but I was disappointed in this. I didn't even attempt to watch part 2.

So..experienced actors, great sense of place but dismal viewing. Why? Is is the unattractive, whining characters? The bitching mother? The OTT love interest? The lack of wit, warmth and humanity?

And that daughter of Caroline's is waaay too well-behaved..

The only nice touch was Derek Jacobi and his mate chewing the fat together.

The only

I was quite disappointed in the specials. I've watched all the series so far and thoroughly enjoyed it, shame I so looked forward to it.
Now for Granchester and that very nice young man Edward Norton, recorded earlier! I wish I was 40 years or so younger

I know what you mean but I do think he is funny. So unlike the sort of chap you'd have thought Caroline would go for. Back in the day that is.

If I'd been married to Caroline's soapy ex husband, I think I might have become a lesbian too!!

What's boring or unreal about the lesbian storyline>

I watched the first episode with growing disappointment, and didn't bother with the second. Apart from Alan, there is not one character I feel in sympathy with, and the way he puts up with Celia is annoying too.
Don't think I'll bother if there is a new series next year

I was disappointed with it-daft story line about first husband haunting barn. Sick of lesbian storyline-just so unreal. Would have loved to have seen more of Derek and Ann playing amateurs. Lovely scenery though. . . .

Sally W was just in radio 5. It seems she is working on something big for the bbc (she couldnt say more) There could be another HV but not for a while. No mention of mire LTIH (unless i missed it?)

I watched both episodes on catch up last night, loved it all. What's all this about grim up north?! It's filmed around Yorkshire and Lancashire, our moors and hill country, stone farm houses and cottages are very similar. It can be bleak in the dark midwinter but it's glorious as well. Caroline's original and very beautiful house is in Altrincham and the private school she taught at is Bolton School, still a very popular and successful school in real life.

I enjoyed the scenes between Caroline and Gillian, the way their relationship has developed so that eventually, they offer each other some support and feel secure enough to talk about the real difficulties they're facing.

Fantastic, keep writing Sally Wainwright. Let's have more Happy Valley, or a similar series. As for criticisms of Sara Lancashire for having gained a bit of weight, I can't say I noticed. Living in this part of the world, especially in an old cottage with hopeless heating, you'd need to be well wrapped up.

I think that Sarah L's clothing change was because she was not working. In the conversation with Gillian she explained how she had been given a sabbatical and the inference was that she would not go back - no private school and no need for suits etc.during the time scale of the story - she was a stay at home mum. She did not tell anyone else why she needed the new job - she put a different slant on it. It will be interesting how they portray her getting on in a poorer area state school!

I bet she was glad of warm ponchos filming outside in Yorkshire!

DAY6,I think the conversations between Alan and Harry are the best part of this series.

I reckon they were teeing up a new series : Life at the new school for one, single life for another and am dram for the oldies.
Couldn't agree more re Victoria Wood btw! What a talent and such a likeable woman.

I need to warm to characters and I really couldn't warm to anyone other than Derek Jacobi and his drinking pal. They brought normality to a thin story line.

I agree that not everyone is jolly (Thank goodness they aren't!) but Gillian's misery and blank expression and coldness is extremely off-putting. It's exaggerated. Anyone as dour, miserable, critical and lacking in any sort of warmth (and facial expression) would be bereft of company and sympathy, most probably.

I am just watching Victoria Wood's Christmas Trimmings. What a talent she was. Derek Jacobi is in it too. Wonderful television.

Found it disappointing, thought the storyline was very weak.

I've just caught up with the second episode on iplayer. It's a shame they stuffed so much into two episodes - there was easily enough for a six part series. The way they used flash-backs and flash-forwards. Caroline had no sooner announced she had a new job than they were all holed up in a haunted cottage in the countryside. Other scenes like the Ouija board just weren't fully developed. Still, the acting as always was top notch and I enjoyed it.
Sarah Lancashire has certainly put on weight, and as someone else mentioned, rather than wearing smart suits was covered up in sweaters and ponchos.
Also agreed about the unusually well behaved and totally ignored by all child!

No, that's not true about child actors having to be one of twins - it may be true for babies though.

Summing up there are 3 main story lines. Love in old(advanced) age, lesbianism and teenage pregnancies. With a side kick at domestic abuse.
It seems certain that SW cannot keep expecting these story lines to produce anything new. In the mean time the two oldies seem to be wearing a bit thin and sometimes their acting appears stiff and over practiced.

As to the child actors. I did read once that the law insists they are twins to protect them from being over-worked or placed too long in trying situations.
A disappointing sequel to a wonderul series. Better stick to those three DVDs I've got.

I found it very disappointing

Just seen episode two in catch-up. Just sat and enjoyed it all. Good job we aren't all the same.

Yes, the wine delivery woman is very irritating; if they film another series I hope she is not included.
And using her mobile at the wheel - and Caroline saying mildly 'that's OK'

No - it is not OK and that is not the message that everyone except this programme is trying to get across.

I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next series.