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begins with family videos of a Christmas party at Daddy Larry Lamb‘s (Gavin and Stacey) home, sorry, he’s Dennis.
Soon after, Sian’s (Gaynor Faye) on a date with some bloke who copmplaints that “women are weird” and makes fun of her age. Hmm… I don’t think there’ll be date No.2. He’s also blabbering on about previous dates – exactly NOT what you do on a date! Why talk about previous dates with people you’ll never meet again because you’re not compatible?! You’re on THIS one! Do people REALLY do that?!
However, it doesn’t take long before Dennis is found dead at home, and Coroner Mrs Doyle (Pauline McLynn – Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything) talks about him having drunk himself to death, even though the family claimed he didn’t drink a great deal. Cue lots of arguments, random payments going out into other companies from Daddy’s bank, Daniel (Robert James-Collier – Fate: The Winx Saga) has fidicuiary issues, while Sian and Chloe (Jemima Rooper – Trauma) and sorting through the house…
We then get to the meat which we were shown in the trailer, where its’s announced that Daddy has left all his money and assets to his new wife, Susan (Samantha Bond). She’s also changed his funeral arrangements, such that instead of being buried next to his late wife, he’ll be cremated. What’s particularly annoying about that scene is how care-free their solicitor reading the will is. Any normal individual would realise the bereaved are not happy, and guide them accordingly.
Along the way, it becomes increasingly apparent that his children know zip-all about Daddy’s health issues, as well as to whom Susan was previously married, and more about what’s happened in recentish times.
Personally, I’m not wowed after one episode. I just hope that as this drama is scheduled weekly, and not nightly, every episode is on My5 after the first one airs, since I can’t see viewers patiently waiting for this to continue.
And one moment I’ll put behind a spoiler header, even though this review will go live after it has aired:
Further episode reviews will be updated after each one has broadcast.
UPDATE Episode 2:
Thanks to our friends at Channel 5 for the screener for episode 1 prior to broadcast.
The Inheritance continues next Monday on Channel 5 at 9pm, and runs for four episodes. It’s not yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but when it is, it will be listed on the New DVD, Blu-ray, 3D and 4K releases UK page.
If you miss it, you can watch the each episode on My5 after transmission.
Director: Kate Kendall
Producer: Natalie Mandel
Creator: Jason Herbison
Writers: Anthony Ellis, Margaret Wilson
Music: Cornel Wilczek, Pascal Babare, Thomas E Rouch
Cast:
Sian: Gaynor Faye
Dennis: Larry Lamb
Pete: Adil Ray
Daniel: Robert James-Collier
Chloe: Jemima Rooper
Susan: Samantha Bond
Michael: Kevin Whately
Nathan: Rory Fleck Byrne
Glen: Kevin Harvey
Coroner: Pauline McLynn
Solicitor: Leah Minto
DS Morris: Risteard Cooper
Charlie: Rocco Cheetham-Karcz
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.