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LadyEllen -> Mrs Inbetweeny BBC3 last night (3/6/2008 3:11:14 AM)
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Well, I was wrong. When I first heard that BBC3 were starting their new drama series by the name of Mrs Inbetweeny, I was horrified at the prospect of more stereotypes and sensationalism, and this being broadcast nationwide. BBC3 has a small audience, but its successful productions usually end up being screened on more popular channels.
Its the story of a family of three children who are orphaned when their parents are killed, and their long lost uncle Brendan is appointed as their guardian, much to the chagrin of their widowed grandmother and their other uncle, both of whom consider Brendan the black sheep of the family and both of whom had had their eye on the large house the deceased occupied. Uncle Brendan had left the UK years earlier, apparently taking some of his mother's money.
The story opens at airport arrivals, where the kids are waiting for uncle Brendan to arrive. Except in walks this rather hot woman - uncle Brendan, now Emma, had transitioned in the US. A few delayed and difficult introductions later, they leave for home; Emma's brother and the kids unable to hide their amazement.
This first episode was rather poignant in many ways, as everyone adjusted to the new reality. There was anger, curiosity and confusion, but throughout it all Emma showed such a strength of character that the kids quickly adapted to calling her auntie Emma. Emma also caught the naked boyfriend of the teenage girl, who had been in her bedroom, and with the two teenagers expecting hell to break loose, breezed through it with the same strength to further establish herself as normal. She dealt with all the challenges the likes of me face with the same poise and elegance - including all the questions from friends of the family about "where's Brendan", with the same obfuscations that are familar to me.
The scene where she had to go into school to deal with problems caused by the younger boy was reminiscent too. She stops just inside the gates to look at the building, as we hear the bullying chants with which Brendan grew up "puff" "gay" etc. But the headmaster turns out to be one of the bullies, and Emma takes a great revenge on him!
And the grandmother - widowed, lonely and a drinker, a woman brought up "properly" whose anger at Brendan and wish to see him so that he can apologise; Emma turns up at the charity shop where her mother works, and of course her mother has no idea who she is - until later in the episode when Emma is called on to fetch her mother from the police station after she's been charged for drunken driving. She refuses to call Emma by her new name, and the kids correct her - she leaves in a huff, unable to deal with the situation at all.
Overall I'd give it a 9/10 and would recommend it to everyone - those who'd like an insight into our world and those who just enjoy a good story. The next episode is on Wednesday night next week I believe.
E
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