BBC1 ::::::::::::::::The A WORD:::::::::::::::::::::::

[RTKangaMummy]

I think this is going to be good

www.radiotimes.com/episode/d2ycmd/the-a-word--series-1-episode-1

Five-year-old Joe is a smart, musical kid. He spends his time with headphones on listening to alt-rock classics and knowing every line of the lyrics. He can be a bit quiet and uncooperative but nothing that overly troubles his parents – or at least, nothing they’ll admit to…

As we meet Joe and his clan in Peter Bowker’s well-worked drama (adapted from an Israeli series) it is the day of Joe’s birthday. Around him a wider family battle simmers nicely as Joe’s interfering grandfather (Christopher Eccleston) and humiliated uncle strike sparks off each other.

That domestic cut-and-thrust might be enough in itself, but we know the real driver of the story will be Joe’s condition. It’s only the slightest of spoilers to reveal that, as the title hints heavily, Joe has autism. His grandfather’s attitude is old school: “If there’s a problem with my grandson, we need to get it fixed.” It won’t be that simple.

ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
1/6. New series. The various generations of the Hughes family, who all love, work and fight like any other clan, find they must learn to communicate all over again when the youngest member is diagnosed with autism. The opening episode of the drama sees the extended family reunite in the Lake District for Joe's fifth birthday party, but tensions soon rise among Alison, Paul and patriarch Maurice. Starring Morven Christie, Lee Ingleby and Christopher Eccleston.

CAST AND CREW

CAST
Alison Hughes Morven Christie
Paul Hughes Lee Ingleby
Eddie Scott Greg McHugh
Nicola Daniels Vinette Robinson
Joe Hughes Max Vento
Rebecca Hughes Molly Wright
Maurice Scott Christopher Eccleston
David Nowak Adam Wittek
Pavel Kaminski Tommie Grabiec
Linda Michelle Tate
Jane Joanna Bond
Sea Lily Verity Henry
Ralph Wilson Leon Harrop
Louise Wilson Pooky Quesnel
Martha Catherine Kinsella
Terry George Bukhari
Dr Eshell Siri Ellis
Dr Waite Mina Anwar
Receptionist Denice Hope
Dr Graves Daniel CerqueiraCREW
Director Peter Cattaneo
Executive Producer Patrick Spence
Producer Marcus Wilson
Writer Peter Bowker

[WeDoNotSow]

I think I'm the only person who liked the Mum.
I mean, I didn't like her, her character is awful, but I'm glad they made her unlikeable, because you don't see it too often in shows, yet you see it plenty in real life!!

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Have none of you ever read Othello - with the double time scheme?



I enjoyed it, for the scenery, and for Christopher.

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

I watched it because I wanted it to be good but it just wasn't.

I get that they were trying to show stages of acceptance and grief etc and make it like autism isn't the only focys but so much of it was just pants.

A 5 year old going walking on their own in the arsehole of nowhere first thing in the morning?? Autism or not, why weren't social services called over that? The thing with the possible pregnancy dates was bolllocks too. The gay friend was just irritating, chris ecceleston was too young to be their dad and the scenes with the mother harassing the SALT and the police were ridiculous. I think the mother was poorly cast (and written). It probably wouldn't have been just as bad without her.

[maggiso]

I am just catching up (seen 3 episodes). I too have a child (well teen/young adult now) with ASD but also LD, so some of the confusion and desperation is very familiar. The child being more able to communicate and empathise with a fever was startlingly real - but back when my son was 4-5 when I noticed this nobody believed me - I guess it was not recognized then. I used to sing different songs to DS to help him know what was happening next - and had a few to sing to myself when I needed it ( Donna Nobis Pacem!!) The Mum annoys me - with her absorbance - but I have seen this in other autism/ special needs mums. (Its just not acted sympathetically- but I guess this is a dram series). Communication disorders as with many other disabilities can affect the whole family.

[BikeRunSki]

I think the scene where Joe's parents had to describe him to the search party was what the story was heading for - to make his mum admit to strangers what he was like, the whole basis of the story seemed to be around her inability to admit he had autism.

[Davros]

I thought the bit where she told the search party that he might not know he's list was really good. Also I'm pleased Joe didn't have some big reaction when he was "found", he just carried on the same

[Helmetbymidnight]

Bill bryson, I know! Its weird. It was strangely compelling. I do like a drama without a murder. And there is nothing else on to watch on a Tuesday evening.

[Borka]

I watched it because DS has ASD and I wanted to know about anything in the programme that might affect how people might think about / behave towards autistic people. I didn't enjoy it much, and I'd probably watch a 2nd series too.

[BillBrysonsBeard]

Why would you watch a second one if you didn't enjoy it? Not being funny, just curious

[Helmetbymidnight]

stuck with it to the end but thought it was complete crap. 6 hours of my life I'm never getting back.

The worst part being that if they did a second series I'd probably watch it too.

I agree! That's how I feel.

[ApocalypseSlough]

Lovely scenery and yy to argh at Mum being in Joe's face all the time. The last episode was directed by Sue Tully- Michelle off of Eastenders!

[NotJanine]

The best thing about the programme was the scenery, they were lucky with the snow for the last episode it looked beautiful.

Was so contrived with them having to stand in front of all the locals and tell them that their son has autism, before they could go off and search for him.

did anyone else think the ending was a little creepy - it reminded me of a horror film

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

I stuck with it to the end but thought it was complete crap. 6 hours of my life I'm never getting back.

The worst part being that if they did a second series I'd probably watch it too.

[sonsmum]

well i thoroughly enjoyed this. Having a child who is also different, I identified totally with the mum: she portrayed the denial, the coping of the injustice/unfairness of others who don't walk in her shoes, and her fears.
I really liked the comedy moments too. Yes it wasn't all true to reality but it is entertainment!
The only bit i wasn't happy about was eddie leaving nicola so quickly, but then as already said lots of doors were left wide open.

[2rebecca]

Agree the idea it all happened over 3-4 weeks is mad. The cafe building and finishing would have taken a lot longer than that for one thing without all the home school, no home school, time for various referrals etc (child psych is pretty long waiting list).
I thought the end of them cuddling round Joe was unrealistic as well. Autistic kids like routine. Not being alone in his own bed but having mum and dad snuggling next to him wouldn't be comforting for many autistic kids but uncomfortably strange, and how come no-one had checked the bust stops you can walk to before night fall?

[BillBrysonsBeard]

I loved it. Loved how they all played music while trying to find him! Great series.
From reading on the telly threads here though I am very easily pleased

[Borka]

I liked it more than I was expecting, and more than any of the previous episodes. I'm glad there wasn't a neat conclusion & tying up of loose ends, which would have been completely unrealistic.

The main thing that disappointed me about the whole series is that there wasn't any attempt to show Joe's point of view or experience of life, other than in a really superficial way.

[MajesticWhine]

I liked it. Great scenery, great soundtrack. Some fairly unlikeable flawed characters, but that's life isn't it. Christopher Eccleston was superb I thought.

[BikeRunSki]

It didn't really end. Lots of loose ends - more issues and storylines than it needed - and no conclusion.

[madmother1]

I'm just glad it's over

[Davros]

I enjoyed it and thought the attitudes to Ralph that came out were very well done.

[AlleyCatandRastaMouse]

I want more. I want more. Aaaaaaahhhhhhh it is not enough.

[woody2976]

thought it was crap. really disappointing. thought the mum was awful.