The Upper Hand - best telly ever (maybe)

[CarolineWheatley]

I love The Upper Hand!!

I caught it on ITV3 when they were repeating it recently, having not seen it since I was a teenager. It is wonderful - so funny and sweet.

Am I the only one to adore the faces that Caroline pulls? Charlie's teasing? I am even warming to Laura the man-eating grandmother after repeated watches of all 7 series on YouTube.

I don't know if Diana Weston and Joe McGann cheer themselves up after rubbish days by watching it - but I would if I were them!

Please come and tell me about your favourite bits.

Aww I used to love watching this as a child, haven't thought about it for years. I agree that it is sweet and funny. I'll definitely be looking out for reruns.

I loved this when I was younger not watched it in a few years will need to try and catch a rerun.

Although I did catch a rerun of Peak Practice this afternoon which I also loved!!

When it was first on I was the same age as the teenage Joanna. Now I'm the same age as Caroline and I just love her.

After tea I watched the scene where Michael sacks Charlie (series 1, Welcome Home 1, end of part 1). It's so sad: Charlie insists on leaving because he can't bear to see Caroline with her husband to give them the best chance to make a go of it.
And all the episodes as they gradually get together... Some beautifully sweet scenes.

Awww...

Oh I used to love this, such gentle but sweet comedy. I'm off to check the tv guide to see when it's on next

On series 2 now. "When Worlds Collide" is gorgeous too and actually a bit sexy. They are already so attracted to each other but massively holding back. Unlike their friends...

It's so naff but oddly charming.

I remember watching it as a child and being wowed by the fancy barn conversion

That's a blast from the past!

Recently saw the actress who played his daughter in "Vera" as someone's mum!

I preferred the American 'Who's The Boss' that it was based on.

I know Who's The Boss was the original but Having watched a few episodes on YouTube I can't love it like I do The Upper Hand.

Tony Danza just doesn't do it for me at all as the character that became Charlie. It's all about him, somehow, and he's not as appealing, or good at showing the feelings, as Charlie is. Not that I find Charlie attractive either, but Tony would just be too annoying.

And Angela (Caroline) doesn't seem to be such a strong character as Caroline. I think the Upper Hand is much more about the two of them, and I do adore Diaba Weston's wide variety of facial expressions.

Diana

Isn't the daughter in Eastenders now?

Loved this as a kid. Always wondered what it would be like to just have a Dad.

And how annoying is Tom?!

Yes, she plays the landlady of the Queen Vic. (what would Charlie think? That wasn't why he brought her to Henley...)

Tom is nowhere near as annoying as my little brother was, so I don't think he's so bad. The episodes where he is really involved are early on and he's quite sweet in them. I found him a bit inconsistent as he grew up: he was supposed to be a super-bright nerdy type but also got somewhere with girls; not a common combination!

I'm up to series 4 now and Charlie & Caroline are blatantly besotted but still daren't say anything.

Episode 2, Blind Date, is the one where Caroline rips her dress up to the hip to impress a man (not Charlie). What I noticed this time is quite how much Charlie is checking her out when he sees this display. She has her back to him and he's having a good look.

One of my slight difficulties with Charlie as an ardent lover is that he never seems as ardent as you would expect: very loving but rarely looks like he really desires her. This scene is a bit of a rarity in that area (and I bet it was improvised).