Tuesday 22nd
THE A WORD, BBC1, 9pm
It seems Christopher Eccleston’s days of playing an intense young man are over because he’s a kindly grandfather in this new series, albeit an unconvincing one, although he tries to reinforce his grandfatherly credentials by wearing tank tops and perching his spectacles on the end of his nose.
In this new drama, he is grandfather to Joe, a smart but troubling five year old boy whose parents refuse to accept he might have “the A word”: autism.
The story opens with Joe’s birthday party and his mother’s intransigence is clear from the beginning. At any hint of trouble, or at any suggestion that Joe’s behaviour is odd, she replies, “It’s Joe’s day.” And if the other children are looking at him in puzzled silence, she says, “It’s Joe’s day. He should be the centre of attention!”
When he can’t join in with the party games, and when he lies on the rug refusing to look at anyone, the mother ignores the problem or puts it down to “way too many Haribos”, whilst Grandad reacts with common-sense advice like, “Come on. On yer feet, lad!” So is there anyone with enough subtlety, distance or courage to confront “the A word”?
In this first episode it’s far too easy to flinch from Joe and see him as an over-indulged, irritating child who will not listen to simple instructions, but that is surely the prejudice this brave new drama is trying to overturn.
MARY BERRY’S EASTER FEAST, BBC2, 8pm
Mary Berry presents Easter meals and treats, keeping up the noble pretence that we don’t just gorge on chocolate eggs at this time of year.
As well as typical British favourites like roast lamb, she looks at Easter dishes from around the world, such as lechon, a Filipino roasted pork, and Greek Tsoureki bread. All very nice, but I watched with a bag of mini Lindt Eggs on my lap. I’m a traditionalist, you see?
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