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

[BillBrysonsBeard]

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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

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



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

[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!!