Lost Boys & Fairies

I've never given a show or move a 10 before. I went back and watched the whole series again looking for a flaw, any flaw, to bring the score down and I just couldn't find one. The direction and pacing are perfect. The interwoven musical sequences add value and are never overdone.

Sion Daniel Young and Fra Fee play Gabriel and Andy, a gay couple looking to adopt and while Andy is full steam ahead, Gabiel is struggling with unresolved trauma that informs his every waking moment. The chemistry between the leads is electric and the raw and honest sharp edges of a relationship is examined, and insecurities, pain and so much love is revealed underneath.

Gwyneth Keyworth in her role as birth mother, in the short time she is on screen, is captivating - daring us to look away. My heart tore with every forced and nervous smile she gave. Elizabeth Berrington as the social worker and Arwel Gruffydd and the queer elder\sage don't miss a note. The actor playing the teenage Gabriel has little or no lines so all of the acting had to take place behind his eyes, and what a treat it is to witness.

Fra Fee as Andy, the father in waiting, is so believable you will want him to be your Dad. But for all of that, the night belongs to Sion Danial Young who gave a flawless performance of a very flawed human being.

As someone who, as part of a gay couple, went through the process of adopting children, I watched this with interest. I expected some emotional scenes, but this really pushed some buttons for me. The acting throughout is exceptional, as is, by and large, the balance between humour and drama. The chap who plays Gabriel, Sion Daniel Young, has an excellent singing voice, and his performances throughout the series are really profound. In particular, I've never heard, "A Little Respect" by Erasure, performed in this way, with such an odd time signature. It adds a whole new depth to the song.

My criticism is that this drama, in order to tell the story satisfactorily, requires three mini-series, not just three episodes. Each of these episodes could be developed further. Without spoiling, the end of episode 2 is SUCH a curveball! Just when you think you've cried enough, you're in buckets again, and episode three has its work cut out going through the issues created by a few brief moments in episode two, so that it can resolve satisfactorily. I suppose that if I were marking it as an essay, I'd say the last episode especially was rushed, because there was just too much going on in episode two. But thankfully, it does resolve beautifully. As other reviewers have said, "Pass The Tissues!" Absolutely beautiful.

This show was an absolute roller coaster. I was a mess by the time it was over.

Some scenes, especially in first episode, are just so spectacularly funny. Andy's mum 'tidying' had me in stitches. You'll know it when you see it!

Gabe's dark past, and sometimes present, is graphic and compelling viewing.

The emotion of the final episode will break even the coldest heart.

The whole cast were perfect. Every single character was believable. In addition to Andy and Gabe, the social worker and birth mum delivered some spectacular acting.

Cannot recommend this show enough. Set aside enough time to binge as you will watch the whole thing at once.

I don't think I've ever felt moved to write a review on IMDB, nor have I ever scored anything 10 as one never knows when one might watch something truly perfect. This a solid nine, and I'm quite cross decimals aren't permitted as it almost warrants a perfect score. I binged episodes 2 and 3 today after seeing the first episode last night as it was broadcast. This mini-series is a thing of great beauty. It will put you through extreme emotional highs and lows, but at the end of it you will emerge a better person and perhaps understand that you and all your terrifying emotional baggage are not alone. As Philip Larkin explains: what will survive of us is love. Forget the Kleenex, have an abundance of extra absorbent 3 ply kitchen towels to hand.

My Review-

Lost Boys & Fairies Streaming on Stan My score. 9:10

It's so refreshing these days to see credible authentic LGBTQ characters and meaningful stories that should appeal to anyone with a heart and soul on mainstream television.

This is a contemporary family story beautifully directed and performed which would have been impossible to tell a few decades ago.

Why ? Because the concept of two men in a loving relationship being legally able to adopt a child let alone be considered a family by society would have stretched fantasy beyond anything that Walt Disney could imagine.

Gabriel a popular drag club performer played to perfection by Welsh actor Sion Daniel Young and his more reserved partner of eight years Andy played with equal charm by Irish actor Fra Fee want to add to their family and consider adopting a child.

They meet Jackie their Social Worker played delightfully by Elizabeth Berrington who is fully in their corner but warns them about the vetting process and what they're up against. It's not simple and very exhausting and far more complex than choosing a pet .

This 3 part series moves along at great pace I wanted more episodes I was enjoying it so much .

Gabriel and Andy go through the emotional process of realising that choices have consequences in relationships .

Especially for Andy especially who is confronted with his excessive drug use and his own early childhood trauma at losing his mother and being raised by a homophobic father.

The couple think they would be more suited to adopt a daughter but when they turn up with their advocate Jackie for the interview process along with other applicants they are won over by Jake a foster child who has been removed from a violent father.

As the series moves on Gabriel and Andy's views on adopting Jake begin to differ especially when Gabriel's dysfunctional behaviour creates pressure on their relationship.

Gabriel a lost boy himself is determined to adopt Jake even without the support of Andy this leads to a dramatic conclusion.

Leo Harris who plays the irascible but charismatic young Jake must be applauded for one of the best juvenile performances in recent years.

Lost Boys & Fairies directed by James Kent and written by Daf James is a must see for all mature adults.

The music is absolutely fabulous the mood while dealing with serious contemporary issues is at times light and very humorous.

I was reminded of the classic 1998 Torch Song Trilogy similar story without the New York Jewish character..