Mum new series

[Independentstateofeyebrows]

I enjoyed the first series (which is currently on iplayer) - some terrific performances, esp from Lesley Manville, Dorothy Atkinson and Lisa McGrillis. For any other fans, Series 2 starts 20 Feb

[Cary2012]

I love this too, and agree about the acting which is so subtle.
Manville is a joy to watch.
But I'm starting to get a little irritated with the dithering between Michael and Cathy. Just go to the bloody garden centre! You're both adults, just stop faffing about and go!
There are sinister undertones though, which makes it compelling, but sometimes an uneasy watch. Cathy is lovely, but weak and her quiet acceptance and compliance with being everyone's dog body smacks of the martyr. The way her son takes her for granted "have you ironed my shirt mum?/'yes love' could definitely be a clue as to the dynamics the younger Jason witnessed between his mum and dad.

And some of it nearly goes too far, and I hope it doesn't lose it's understated subtlety: the MIL nearly tips over into Catherine Tate's gran; Kelly's "shut uppp...oh Caffy you are funny" is sometimes a bit too predictable.

But I love it, far better than the usual 'comedy' dross we're served.

[The80sweregreat]

I think that Dave , her dead husband, was obviously very hard work. Just the chat about the chicken and the burgers was a clue - an alpha male who loved the sound of his own voice. I hate to think terrible domestic abuse but enough that Cathy is still carrying on with the son as she did the dad, if that makes sense? Her pussy footing around with Michael is probably guilt, plus she knows that if Kelly and Jason get wind of any kind of 'relationship' they will both be awful about it, so by saying ' nobody needs to know we have gone out' is keeping him safe too.

I do love the father in law, his comments about ' why would you want to give up everything to live like her' meaning his wife was funny. its not often a sit com makes me laugh out loud. He is horrible though. my warped sense of humour there - plus those two are very like my own inlaws in the things they say and do.

[thenightsky]

Cathy and her brother both appear to be doormats. Her brother is controlled by the awful Pauline.

[BuzzKillington]

Cathy is such a doormat - she drives us all crazy.

She spends most of her time just smiling feebly at everyone and being walked over. It's like she's a halfwit.

We watch it for Pauline - she's brilliant!

[MadSister1818]

I think Cathy comes across as being highly intelligent but suppressed/repressed. That’s what makes her interesting to observe. There’s clearly a LOT that she notices but has been conditioned not to voice. You can almost hear her parents voice constantly in her ear saying “nice girls don’t etc”.

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I think Cathy's a very caring person and don't forget she works with children who have additional needs, so I guess she's a very sympathetic and understanding type who doesn't easily get wound up. The shame for her is that it spills over into her private life too, as everyone around her is damaged in some way.

Jason, bereaved and demanding and indulged or spoilt by Cathy.
Kelly, clearly emotionally abused by her own mother over many years.
The In Laws as per Jason.
Derek, mothered by Cathy.
Pauline, tolerated with very good grace and made welcome even when she's so rude to Cathy and other guests. Same goes for Kelly's mum and cousin

That leaves Michael. Cathy is very sensitive to his emotions. There's a lot of mention that his ex took his DCs somewhere away that he doesn't get to see them much and he's also pretty much at his mother's beck and call.

All this while Catchy herself is bereaved. Maybe it's some kind of displacement activity? while she's so busy tolerating and fussing over everyone else, she doesn't have too much time to think about herself and her feelings?

[surferjet]

Maybe it’s just me, but I find Michael a bit creepy.

[CindyCrawford2]

Fantastic observations by the writers - Cathy having to keep telling Kelly to "put the knife down" as if she was a child, absentmindedly playing with it. Also, does anyone else think Kelly is pregnant? For the last couple of weeks she has been eating everything in sight and she asked Cathy if she could tell her something personal/private - then at the end when Cathy was eating her burger she looked like she had something on her mind?

[CanIBuffalo]

There are lots of things I like about it - I'm only part way through S1 - but do we get to find out why she is such a doormat?

[BuzzKillington]

Michael is totally creepy!

[The80sweregreat]

I dont find Michael creepy at all, just a bit shy and not sure what to say to Cathy - doesnt want to appear pushy so not sure how to play things - he knew her dead husband too , so that must make it even more awkward for him. She is aware of this and trying to engage him in activities that he wont see as a 'threat'- ie, the garden centre, spot of lunch etc - thats how i see it, but i do agree that all that standing around not saying much might come across as a bit odd. she is getting frustrated though - most women would just give up on him i think by now. Maybe she needs to just ask him out properly? spell it out for him?
Canibuffalo, we dont find out why she is like she is really - the guess is that her dead dh was controlling alpha male type that took the lead and she was happy to just toe the line i suppose, not rock the boat. there is a lot that isn't said, reminds me of a mike leigh film, which the lead actress has been a few of his creations.

[strawberrysparkle]

I find Michael creepy! Haven't found this series as good as last really, not sure why.

[The80sweregreat]

It must be hard to write as they don’t go anywhere do they! Maybe they need a new character or two to spice it up a bit?

[longtompot]

Just read this interview with the writer about mum. I didn't realise he also wrote him & her, which I really liked in the first and second series, but I don't remember watching it to the end

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43299973

[strawberrysparkle]

That makes sense that he wrote him and her as it is a similar type isn't it, where they never leave the flat but people pop in and out!

Never put the two and two together though.

[ToffeeUp]

I thought that the whole thing with David and his bbq habits was beautifully done, especially the scene with the grandparents.

[TossDaily]

I think Dave might have been a bit of a nob. That's why Jason was doing impressions of him around the barbecue - he mentioned his dad's impressions of Michael and the 'banter' they had.

I wonder if he was aware of Michael's feelings for Cathy, so there was always tension between them?

Cathy clearly loved him though, and misses him. Even nobs have loving spouses

[TossDaily]

That scene where the grandad took a moment to reflect on his son was a superb bit of acting. The pain of his loss was etched on his face.

[NancyDonahue]

Lesley Manville is so lovely. I think dh and I both have a bit of a crush on her

I love how Cathy comes across as sweet and demure but has little bitching sessions with Michael.

We love Pauline. She's obviously very bitter over her ex, but she's got a soft side.

Jason and Kelly are both bumbling idiots.

I agree Michael has been coming across a bit creepy in this series, starting with the boot full of presents. I just wish he'd speak up instead of watching Cathy's every move waiting for something to happen.

And that scene with Dave's dad eating a burger was absolutely heartbreaking

[veuveo]

She was married to Gary Oldman, I only just found that out. They have a son

[southeastdweller]

The poignancy never feels forced. The two scenes this week when Derek was dismissive of his daughter because he was more bothered about fussing round Pauline were sadly very believable. Likewise in the first series when Pauline pointedly denied to Cathy that she was lonely but her face said the opposite.

[The80sweregreat]

Pauline is so unhappy - an unhappy stuck up mare! quite tragic really. i was glad that Danielle wasn't really horrible though - even if she said she doesnt like people very much.
The dad with his burger was just brilliantly done. it was perfect.

[dorothyparka]

I love how the characters are built up layer by subtle layer. I don't think Cathy's a doormat at all. She's surrounded by bereaved family and hurt people (in S1 she excuses Pauline's behaviour because Pauline was treated terribly by her ex; and Kelly was treated badly both by her mum and by her ex) and is sensitive to what makes them tick. She doesn't sweat the small stuff and is a master of family diplomacy. She's careful about being open about Michael because he was Dave's good friend (he and Dave were going to build the pond for Cathy and Dave's anniversary) and it could upset family who might think she's being disloyal to Dave or that something was going on when Dave was around ... I've given this way to much thought

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

This is a tiny quiet masterpiece. There are so many layers, and the acting from the whole cast is sublime. I am a long time Lesley Manville fan and I really hoped she’d win the best supporting actress Oscar on Sunday. I recently watched Peter Mullen in Top of the Lake which, when compared to his role in Mum, serves to show as what an amazingly good actor he is. Karl Johnson’s silent vignette with the burger in this episode was stunning and worthy of a BAFTA all on its own.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Ooh, I've been watching series 2. I didn't know there was a previous one. Thanks OP.