I saw this episode when it was first shown ten years ago and it moved me to tears even then. I watched it again with my mum in her care home tonight and I had to stop reading to her because I couldn't stop the tears from coming and choking me up.
As another reviewer suggested, I also believe that Martin Clunes should have been at least nominated for a BAFTA for this series and specifically this episode. The entire cast are incredible, portraying genuine characters that are completely believable and that you can deeply invest in.
As with all episodes, there are events going on in the background (Eileen Atkins & Joe Absolom are utterly magnificent) but the highlight of this episode is the relationship between Martin and Louisa. To witness Martin attempting to say and do the right thing for his marriage and admit how much he loves Louisa (Eileen Atkins again) is enough to make a statue weep. The scene where Martin is on his own in the aftermath of the operation is astonishing. Then how can anybody refuse to be moved as he walks out of the hospital all alone and isolated?
Finally, I would just like to highlight the immense beauty of the music in this programme, particularly in this episode. I have the soundtrack by Colin Towns but that is only from season 1 - the music has grown and blossomed since then and I would dearly love to hear more from this outrageously talented composer. A wonderfully emotional episode of a ridiculously beautiful programme - if you have a heart and like to feel real emotion then this programme and this episode especially are for you.
As another reviewer suggested, I also believe that Martin Clunes should have been at least nominated for a BAFTA for this series and specifically this episode. The entire cast are incredible, portraying genuine characters that are completely believable and that you can deeply invest in.
As with all episodes, there are events going on in the background (Eileen Atkins & Joe Absolom are utterly magnificent) but the highlight of this episode is the relationship between Martin and Louisa. To witness Martin attempting to say and do the right thing for his marriage and admit how much he loves Louisa (Eileen Atkins again) is enough to make a statue weep. The scene where Martin is on his own in the aftermath of the operation is astonishing. Then how can anybody refuse to be moved as he walks out of the hospital all alone and isolated?
Finally, I would just like to highlight the immense beauty of the music in this programme, particularly in this episode. I have the soundtrack by Colin Towns but that is only from season 1 - the music has grown and blossomed since then and I would dearly love to hear more from this outrageously talented composer. A wonderfully emotional episode of a ridiculously beautiful programme - if you have a heart and like to feel real emotion then this programme and this episode especially are for you.