Only Child

I really enjoyed watching 'Only Child' with my parents. It's a heartwarming, funny show that explores the complexities of the parent-child relationship in later years, capturing moments that my parents shared with their parents and inevitable experiences for my future too!

The film conveys that despite shared frustrations, love remains ever-present. I think everyone that has older parents, or has been through it, should watch it - your guilt will slide away and you'll have a chuckle too.

Plus, it's funny-even with the subtitles on for my hearing-impaired parents!!

Ignore the negative reviews!

I loved this. The acting was great. Also if you have gone through any of the trials and tribulations of a parent/child or indeed child/parent relationship in the let's say twilight days you will fully appreciate the subtle humour.

In my opinion don't expect side splitting humour. Do expect a gentle warm feeling, and if you do so you will have a wonderful show. Remember the tv doesn't have to 'shout' at us, it sometimes can be a nice warming feeling.

The relationships in this story show a kind of sad bent of lost love, promised love and the danger of losing it again to pursue something that may give us a sense of achievement but at what cost?

Richard pays a visit on his dad Ken, twelve months after his mother Jean died. Keen to pay a flying visit, Richard discovers his dad needing a little bit of care and support.

Are some of the reviews based solely on the first episode, that's what it looks like, a first episode that sets the scene, introduces the character and situation, but fails to provide the laughs, from episode two onwards, it finds its feet.

Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh are great as the father and son combination, they bounce off one another well, I just loved the odd job man in episode two, he was hilarious.

Give it a chance, it may not always be side splitting, but it has its moments, and at times it can be rather moving.

Is it me or has Gregor Fisher transformed into Frank Carson, if ever a role comes up to play the famous comedian, Fisher gets the job.

The best new BBC comedy for a long time.

8/10.

This will hit home hardest with those who have/are experiencing the central theme that this show revolves around.

Hopefully it will get a 2nd series so that the storylines laid out can be explored.

The acting is very good. There is a lot of scope for the world created in these 6 episodes.

Cons: Some of the comedy one-liners are predictable. The writing could be sharpened.

There's not much more to say. I'm just filling up the character count now. I have to go for a sigmoidoscopy tomorrow morning. I've spent most of this evening on the lav after gulping down a jug of laxative. I'm not having sedition for the procedure tomorrow as I have to drive. Pfft. I dunno. I'm not looking at the screen. I have no interest in what's up there; because I know what comes out.

I really wanted to like this with two actors having such good pedigree. Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh (Rab C Nesbitt and Gary Tank Commander) but their past triumphs probably gave me high expectations that this would be funny.

Whenever I see a description now that says gentle or warm hearted comedy I expect to be disappointed and this lives up (or down) to my expectations.

I've watched two episodes and that's enough. If those have not raised a smile I don't think any masochistic additional viewing will help.

Pity.

It's alright going for pathos but don't call it a comedy if it doesn't raise a laugh.