63 UP (7 Up series)

[Leyani]

Does anyone know when this will be aired? Last year it said expected first week of May but can’t find it. Paranoid I’ll miss it, I love that series

And does anyone know what happened to Child of Our Time and Born to be special (not sure that was the name)? Are they still going?

Thanks!

I'd hesitate to criticise Neil's parents when all we have to go on is one son's perspective. My feeling is that they may have been quite ordinary people with an extraordinary child.

As we've never heard from Neil's parents, we only get his side of the story. To describe them as narcissistic is unfair. Who knows what they went through with him?
He obviously has profound difficulties with his mental health and finds close relationships a huge challenge. I also thought he lacked insight, blaming anything and everyone for his difficulties over the years. I'm not blaming him for that,more of an observation as,if he can't help it then he can't help it.

I do wonder if he's on the autistic spectrum which might account for some of his behaviour. At least he seems more at ease with himself now (comparatively )and has probably achieved more than he realises.

It's funny how he criticised his mother for being a dilettante and knowing a little about everything and called her superficial. As he has job hopped and dabbled in various things.
Only what he said about his dad - the punishments being harsh? Rang a tiny bell for me .

It's a bit of a stretch too far to label Neil's parents as narcissistic. I suspect Neil is probably on the tail end of the autistic spectrum, which could account for his difficulties, and as he perceived it, not having strategies to cope with the world. I Wonder too if his mother may have also had mild aspergers which might account for her perceived 'superficiality'? Of course, all just speculation.

I really hope they do one last series- 7-70 would have a nice complete feeling to it!

I wish I could get hold of the first two series : 7-up and 14-up, I wasn't born until 1973.

This is brilliant TV, the writers, producers and directors of the reality TV drivel that is being churned out should hang their heads in shame.

I think they should end it here, I don't to see the next instalment, 70-up, Michael Apted and the participants might not make it and that would be too sad to watch (I was crying because Lynne has passed away).

I was wondering if Neil's father perhaps had mental health issues? He was very much blaming others for his problems wasnt he. At least he has the church now, and his council work, and his house in France. He needs to count his blessings.

I think they should - they kept using the show me a boy phrase so they could end with three score and ten

NurseButtercup
I wish I could get hold of the first two series : 7-up and 14-up, I wasn't born until 1973.

There’s a DVD set of 7-49 Up. Amazon currently out of stock but it’s on eBay

And at the risk of being called superficial myself, it's interesting to see how those children aged. Neil and Bruce were really beautiful little boys, but less remarkable in adulthood. Most of them looked entirely recognisable 56 years later.

I always felt for Paul, he seemed a dear little boy, and a worrier. How lovely to see him and Symon as lifelong friends. Their wives were perfect for them.

Civil servant chap (sorry, name escapes me) is absolutely typical of my CS experience. Lots of them are a bit off the wall and crave distinction in their private life. Musicians, poets, writers, all can be found busily engaged in HM's service.

Love this programme. I cry every time I watch it listening to the participants and how their lives have panned out. Very disappointed if Child of Our Time is no longer being made. There was a little boy on it years ago who came from a very poor background, witnessed dv. I think he was only in the first series. I'd love to know if he's ok.

Why are people blaming Neils parents?

Sometimes teens develop MH issues that are nothing to do with their families and it is not in the parents gift to solve.

I thought Neil seemed terribly self absorbed and ready to lay blame wherever he could, whereas his MH issues are the main root of his problems

All of the episodes are on YouTube. I spent the last week catching up on them all from the start.

Neil's mention of harsh punishment from his father was sad. That won't have helped any issues he developed. Unfortunately there were lots of dads with rigid ideas about discipline in the sixties, especially for little boys.

I haven’t seen 63 up yet, but have downloaded 7up and 28up from amazon prime (think under £2 each) as I want to show my dc. I vividly remember the first time I saw 7 up - must have been about the time that 28 up was coming out. It’s been a fascinating series.

Of course Neil is self-absorbed he doesn't have a partner to lighten his problems or someone to direct him to the right help. As a teenager this might have made all the difference. As it is his mental state is compounded by all the years he's been like this. As for 'blaming' his parents, he's probably spent years of his life trying to find a 'reason' for why he is the way he is. I know I have with myself.

MaChook I was going to say the same thing about Neil.

I think in the 1960s most parents and particularly fathers were very strict, particularly with sons.

Hoping that Nick pulls through his cancer. He was very sanguine about it, don't you think? Possibly reflecting the type of approach you'd expect of a scientist.

Loved it that Symon and Paul have remained such good friends (almost family) over the years. Wonder if Peter has anything to do with Neil now (presume not otherwise they would have covered it?).

I don't think there's always an outside reason why an individual suffers with depression/anxiety etc. It's often a chemical thing which is why it begins in adolescence for many and never really leaves.

I haven't seen the third episode yet but I am still reeling from the news of Lynn's passing I didn't know she had died before watching and didn't see that coming at all.

Who was the third of the public school trio - John, Andrew and...?

I think his name was Charles and hasn't participated sine 28 Up.

Charles works in documentary production & had a row with Michael Apted a long time ago...

He was only in 7 & 21 iirc

It did make me cringe that they kept asking the 7/14 year olds if they had a girlfriend/boyfriend. Some were clearly embarrassed. It was something i vowed not to do to kids as an adult as i remember how embarrassing i found it as a kid being asked this and have friends who did too.

I cried so much at the end of the 3rd episode. Saying goodbye to them all for another seven years and maybe forever.

Neil is a complex character. His depression, disappointment with himself and his lack of empathy for others (mother and wife) make it difficult to watch.

Paul and Symon's lifelong relationship was lovely to see. I'm so glad they still get on and their families are friends.

How did we not know that John lost his dad aged 9? That's a huge thing to miss out.

I'd forgotten the irony of Charles not participating and himself becoming a documentary maker.

I really really hope they continue and we get 70Up.

Neil said his parents did their very best so he's not without empathy for his mother. Some people on here are very touchy about him partly and indirectly blaming them for the way he's turned out. Why is that? Aren't we all products of our upbringings?