I can't think of another sitcom where the lead has no funny lines. The way we look at her younger family through Lesley Manville's eyes and find them hopelessly weird is exactly the way the young heroes and heroines of her youth looked at the adults in their lives in films like "The Graduate" and "Billy Liar". Maybe that's what makes it work. It's a twist on the traditional teenage misfit movie where she doesn't get to leave. Instead she stays at home where everybody depends on her while fooling themselves they can get by without her.
My wife and I have been watching this after reading your post, David. You're quite right and it's one of the funniest sitcoms we've seen in years. The acting is top drawer, too - Cathy's in-laws' silently expressed grief over their son being particularly notable.
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