Last Tango in Halifax

I didn't watch the first series on TV, but happened across it on DVD rentals, and became enthralled and enslaved. I really enjoy the leading couple, and their 'daughters' , my how Raquel has grown up! Some of the story lines are a bit far-fetched, and I can't help thinking that perhaps Gillian would have benefited from a stronger chastisement occasionally when she was younger and hormonal, but they are what they are. I love that she is always up to her armpits in dung when she gets company or a phone call - I hope they pay her enough. I hope it doesn't get too silly, but some families do lurch from crisis to disaster, so if they can balance the humour, then it will be realistic. The production team have done a grand job, the acting is splendid. Love it.

This series is one of the best television shows I have ever seen. It hits a lot of hot buttons with its fantasy romance between the two stars, and a variety of sub-plots involving failed marriages, same sex love, alcohol, rivalry, lust, anger, etc. We see bonding that bridges the generations, and distrusts that become solid friendships. Ordinary people from across the social spectrum interact in the two families of Celia (Anne Reid) and Alan (Derek Jacobi). The characters (other than Alan and Celia) can find themselves alternately partying or warring with each other, sometimes in humorous ways. It is the perfect soap opera but beyond that, the first two seasons of this outstanding series show the viewer the range of human behaviour, even within the same characters. The two leads, played by Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi, find one another sixty years after adolescence. Their embryonic relationship never reached fruition in their youth. Six decades later, it suddenly blossomed, much to their total surprise and delight. What followed is a complicated story that draws us into the lives of their family and extended relationships. I found the series very rewarding and addictive as I looked forward to each episode.

This is one of the series i liked the most. It is profound, comprehensive, extraordinary, unpredictable and the acting is super. The variation in the character cast is magnificent . The authentic roll play sublime. It is one of the examples why I highly admire the British series. It could be well a real life example of ordinary people with all their usual daily problems and emotions. Nicola is my best favorite actress, I have seen her in River too. But nothing less to all the other actors without exception they are all of a very high class.

I (me Dutch) have learned a lot from the slang that used in the series. Although English subtitles are highly appreciated for me. I can't wait for the next series to come out.

"Last Tango in Halifax" (2012) is a BBC miniseries that will have run for four seasons. Each episode is about an hour long. I'm reviewing the first six episodes--the entire first season. The series is written by Sally Wainwright. Different episodes have different directors.

The key plot point is that Celia (Anne Reid) and Alan (Derek Jacobi) were in love with the other as teenagers. For complicated reasons they were parted, and lived separate lives for 60 years. They are reunited via Facebook, and they fall back in love. (All this is seen in the first 20 minutes of the first episode, so I'm not giving anything away.)

Each has raised a daughter. Alan's daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker) and Celia's daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) have gone down very different paths. Gillian is a widow. Caroline is in an estranged relationship with her husband John (Tony Gardner).

I've already named five characters, but there are more. What's amazing is that the actors portraying each character are all truly excellent. There's not a weak link among them. The BBC has the unique ability to find great actors, and to enable them to work together seamlessly.

Derek Jacobi is a famous Shakespearean actor, so we expect great things from him. However, the other actors keep pace with him. If I had to single one of them out, it would be Tony Gardner, as Caroline's husband, John. John is a cheat and an opportunist, but, when he's on screen, he dominates the scene with his very believable and often successful opportunism.

This miniseries was produced for TV, so, of course, it works well on the small screen. If you missed it in 2012, you owe it to yourself to see it now. It's melodramatic, but that's what makes it interesting. Some reviewers have called it a BBC soap opera, but I don't agree. It has the look and feel of a first-rate movie, the production values are high, and the acting is superb. If you don't like it, you can always stop watching after the first episode. Trust me--you'll choose to see all six episodes, and then you'll order Season Two and Season Three.

After the first four episodes and I am gob-smacked. It has been a long time since I have been so excited by a BBC drama & so refreshing to have it set in the present. No costumes, and no history lessons needed to be able to appreciate the emotions coursing through the characters as they cope with the manic plot twists. I say manic, but they remain believable nonetheless as plausible drama's we could all have happen in our lives. More surprising is that the rate of storytelling. Every second and every facial expression is made to count, but this never intrudes on the - real life time feel of the piece. If I have made Last Tango in Halifax sound mundane- it is not it is bonkers. For me the 'what on earth is going to happen next' factor is the biggest draw. But each scene on its own is already a mini stand alone story. If that is down to the quality of the acting the scene play or the production I cannot say. Last Tango is utterly absorbing and I cannot wait for more. (vote 9 in stead of 10 because of the spoiling spoilers at the end of the episode)