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The Final Countdown is the third episode of On The Edge Series 4.
Ray (Paul Copley – Inside No.9) and Dora (Eileen Davies – Allelujah!) have had a long and happy marriage, but two years after we first met them, Dora’s jokes about one day needing care have turned into reality, as she’s suffering from dementia.
Ray can’t afford to miss a call from the doctor, yet is obsessed with betting on the horses, while grandson Terry (Joseph Payne – Showtrial) isn’t impressed that the man is telling the neighbours she’s passed away.
However, it’s clear that Dora isn’t getting any better, but despite any amount of dementia, there’s always the feeling that part of what made them who they are, is still in there somewhere. Unfortunately, might’ve reached the point where she’ll need to be placed in a care home.
Dealing with one of the most horrendous of health conditions, The Final Countdown was the best of the three episodes with a briliant performance from Mr Copley and Ms Davies – with a neat ‘passing on the torch’ moment, as you’ll discover.
This episode really should’ve been given the first slot, rather than sticking it away at nearly midnight!
The Final Countdown is part of On The Edge Series 4. The series is not yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD.
The series is available to watch on All 4.
Oddly, like with Series 3, there’s no trailer online, so I’ve given the Series 2 trailer below. Plus, Channel 4 haven’t even given any sort of a heads-up for Series 4 at all! The amount of junk they plug on ads for All4 over and over, but not this!
The Final Countdown – Episode Score: 8/10
Director: James Doherty
Writer: Natalie Burt
Cast:
Ray: Paul Copley
Dora: Eileen Davies
Terry: Joseph Payne
Art: David Bowles
Dot: Julie Barclay
Miss: Jenni Duffy
Yvonne: Cate Lovett
Michelle: Anna Mawn
Anita: Clare Perkins
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.