Mayflies

Tully asks his long term friend Jimmy for help, a request that would test the tightest of friendships.

First of all, I would start by saying it was quite a strange scheduling choice, putting this out just after we've had the turkey and tinsel, not a criticism, just a curiosity.

You won't be able to watch this with dry eyes, this is one of the most moving things I have seen for years, it isn't what I expected, but it really is the most powerful drama.

A real story of love and friendship, early on Tully asks Jimmy a question, and the rest of the drama is spent explaining why he was in a position to ask such a huge request, what gives him the right, it's an amazing friendship.

Good drama makes takes you away, great drama makes you think about real life situations, in this case euthanasia.

Tony Curran is the only actor to make me shed a year in Doctor Who, his performances in Vincent and The Doctor was astonishing, he brings me to tears here once, what a tremendous actor, both he and Compston are awesome here, as is Jensen.

Please don't be deterred by the opening ten minutes, or the plot, this is a very moving, sometimes funny drama, that is well worth your time.

Quite wonderful, 9/10.

I had heard of this story but didn't truly appreciate it until I saw this series. I had a lump in my throat throughout and the intensity of emotions suprised me. The acting is unbelievably good and Martin and Tony showcase their friendship and connection to each other in a subtle but powerful way. I did break down at some point and had to pause while I did ... not something I do very often... but the flashbacks into their youth equally made me smile and it was impossible to not feel connected to them and relate to the kind of friendship they had. I can only wish everyone gets to experience relationships as deep as theirs in their lifetime - make you appreciate what is important in life and inspures you to cut out the noise. Just watch it - its incredible!

Still wiping the tears away, yet I want to celebrate the love, loyalty and friendship that went before. A cast that I haven't always rated in the past individually have a chemistry I've rarely seen.

I'd compare this to an Ian Banks novel, yet no one gets murdered.

Martin Compston is far from his wooden self in Line of Duty, Ashley Jensen is a force of nature, something not harnessed by Ricky Gervais in any of their colab's. His fault for always wanting to be the centre of the screen. And Tony Curran? Balls out, no holds barred as the rebel that refused to say 'Okay, that'll do'. He does it his way.

Andrew O'Hagan has written a truly beautiful thing.

Peter Mackie Burns brings it to us in a very unsentimental yet gut wrenching way. It's a celebration of what was. No regrets.

Death comes to us all in the end, often in a slow, painful and undiginfied manner. Some people, faced with a terminal diagnosis, prefer to check out early, which is illegal in Britain (unless it is done unaided) but is allowed in some other countries. To do so is, of course, a horrifically enormous decision. 'Mayflies' tells one such story, but, as its title suggests, it also encourages us to reflect on the briefness of life, and how we might end up facing our own deaths when our youths seem barely to have passed. It's a warm and affectionate piece, avoiding over-sentimentality (though some is necessarily in order). It does choose to give us a character the severity of whose illness is mostly hidden from us in off-camera visits to the toilet; our protagonist still presents as very much alive throughout the drama, which allows him full mental responsibility, but which also makes his choice seem somewhat premature. Not much happens that isn't obviously telegraphed from the outset; but it's an intelligent dramatisation of the realities of death and the ways we might choose to face it.

This drama shows us life really is so short. The present day story was very emotional and raw however it was the flashbacks to their young lives which got me the most it shows how fragile and short life is and how we have to make the most of it. It shows how we take our friends and memories through all our life's ups and downs and how memories always stay strong in our minds. A tough watch but worth it a very strong cast and script. The decisions which need to be made are so hard for all involved and life impacting for all of them. Martin Compston is just such a wonderful versatile actor. Get the tissues ready for this one.