Families (1990-1993)

[dc11786]

I have the posts printed off somewhere. I have re-read it within the last year or so. I convinced a friend of mine to watch season one of "Springhill" since we were on a quirky supernatural shows binge (we had just finished "In the Flesh"). I think I had the "Revelations" posts with the "Springhill" posts because I cannot find either at the moment. 

The conversation did remind me about the origin of the Charlie is a prostitute comment. I remembered I had copied the episode synopses that were once posted on the BFI site and attached to each episode. For some reason, the BFI revamped their site and dropped the synopses. I'll clean everything up when I get a chance (I'm currently working on "Families" synopses because in the search for "Revelations" posts I found about 100 or so episode summaries that use to be on TV.com for "Families" from late 1991 until the final weeks of the show). For now, from "Revelations" season 2, episode 7:

Drama about the Rattigan family. Lenny prepares for Ben's first birthday party. Instead of going to the party, Jessica visits Edward at his retreat to ask him about his future plans. Charlie provides a sympathetic ear for Daniel, and ends up telling him about her decent into drink, drugs and prostitution. She leaves, regretting having revealed so much. Jessica returns and is getting ready for the party when Steve enters her room. 

By the way, Daniel is Mark Tyler's younger brother. I think you are thinking of Jimmy, Mark's best pal and the groundskeeper for the Rattigans, who carries on the affair with Lenni. 

Based on some of the episode synopses, there seems to be a suggestion that Mary Beckett, the family housekeeper and a distant relative (at one time at least), has a latent lesbian attraction. This didn't surprise me as I knew about Joan Travis, the lesbian vicar who replaces Edward, but what I didn't know was that there seems to be a suggestion that Mary's feelings are actually for Jessica, while Joan is definitely attracted to Mary. Do you recall picking up on this, or am I just reading too much into the summaries?

Regarding Sue, Mike, and Diana on "Families," it's all very slow. I don't think Mike returns to England until September, but most of the drama is people going to Australia to find him and convince him to come home and leaving empty handed. I feel like things pick up a little bit in August, 1990, by the time Corinne Todd (Tessa Humphries) accuses Anton Vaughan of doing something unseemly towards her sexually with the nuptials of Amanda and Neil in September, which I'm not even sure actually happened, seem to move the show forward. It takes some time, but I do feel like it builds. 

"Sons and Daughters" told more story in a week than I think "Families" told in a year. I think there would have to be a happy middle ground lol. 

It is a shame especially since Russell T. Davies' new work still continues to rate well from what I understand. I wish Network would consider a release of the remaining "Revelations" episodes and possibly "Families." The trajectory of "Families" would be worth seeing. Someone may have recorded "Springhill" season 2 off the Acorn site when it was up. "Springhill" got the stateside release to coincide with the American "Shameless," I believe. "Families" is floating around in trading circles, but I haven't been able to find anyone willing to sell it just they have it in there possession. 

[JamesF]

Ah, that makes more sense! I'm really intrigued by the Charlie stuff now too given I just don't remember it. It does fit the character.

I don't recall the Mary/Jessica thing but perhaps I was just young and naive! My hazy memory is that Joan and Mary were attracted to each other... 

 

I saw sad news that Network had wrapped up operations this past week quite suddenly. It really was the only source for some of these obscure older shows so it's such a shame. Given Families was only rerun in the late 90s, I'm surprised so little exists of it online too.

[dc11786]

A couple more episodes have popped up... 

The premier is back

https://lolaclips.com/footage-archive/itv_archive/ITV-01-1376/families_uk_soap_opera_with_jude_law_full_episode

Additionally, there are two new episodes (October, 1990) featuring the fall out of George Davidson's stroke back in England, while Corrine Todd and Justine Stevens have a flat warming celebration in Australia. 

https://lolaclips.com/footage-archive/itv_archive/ITV-01-1377/families_uk_soap_opera_with_jude_law_full_episode_part_2

One thing that stands out consistently is how engaging I find Morag Hood as a performer. In the premier, her Sue is a necessary cog for Mike to leave in order to pursue his relationship with Diane Stevens after many years. In the October sequence, Sue Thompson has moved on with John Thompson, her husband's scheming brother, while Mike has stayed in Australia and set up house with Diane. 

I was happy to see it was these October episodes because of the older set triangle (George and Ruby are divorced and on different continents while George has made house with Dot). I think the levels of triangles at every level of the family intrigues me especially as the central hero Andrew Stevens seems to be at the center of two with each of his half-brothers (Mark and Lisa in England and Corinne and Christian in Australia). 

The Christian-Corinne thread was probably provided the most interesting drama in the Australia set sequences between Corinne flirting with everyone at the party, Geoff Todd (Corinne's father) ending up staying in Christian's bed because of his overnight, and the separation between Corinne's parents, Geoff and Barbara Todd. I thought Barbara's rationale for her breakup was wildly realistic and low key, while also highlighting the insanity of whatever it is Diane and Mike think they are going to be able to accomplish. 

I found Laura Girdling (Amanda) impressive in her scenes, which means more than passable. She doesn't do well in the high drama (the Greek tragedy bit on the cliffs online from later in the run) or the posh high drama (my credit cards were declined in episode 3). At the car garage, I found her charming after building her life up after her failed nuptials the prior month to Neil Brooks. 

I can also see why some characters are cut fairly early into year two. Justine isn't generating story. The Lisa-Mark strand at the garage also isn't really lighting things on fire (bad metaphor given John ends up dying in a blaze of glory). I will say, I cannot understand dumping Sue unless Morag Hood didn't want to continue. 

[DRW50]

Thanks so much @dc11786

[Joseph]

I'm still in awe that Jude Law was In This! And Morag Hood, A Alexei Karenin and A Natasha Rostova on the same show 

Thanks for sharing @dc11786

This Also Shines through on War And Peace, Even though she was terribly miscast on the second half of the show, I personally began liking her on Episode 6 but the transition goes till Episode 9, When Natasha Grows Up she is mesmerizing in her performance, that's why I was absolutely stunned I never realized she did a Soap! Would also love to find "The Camerons" from 1979 it's a tv miniseries that sounds quite soapy she starred in 1979!