Maryland

Excellent acting from this mainly Northern British cast.

Unfortunately, it seems the reviewers who left low marks either didn't watch all episodes - as some admitted - or just didn't understand what it was about.

It's about Family, death, grieving, secrets, but mostly how the human mind can be selfish, feels unloved or unwanted - where it is quite often the opposite Mostly it's about how different people brought up in similar circumstances can want different things, different lives and different outcomes and how some go for it and some stick with what they think is "right", even when they are not sure themselves.

It's about loneliness when you're have people around you as well as when you are on your own - and how some of us are happy with being in that situation and some are not This drama is much deeper than it first appears and needs watching again if you didn't get it first time!

A quiet, contemplative, endearing little ITV drama - definitely a slow burn - effectively capturing the rawness of grief in the wake of someone's unexpected passing.

Eve Best & Suranne Jones deliver understated, powerhouse performances in the two lead roles, playing flawed sisters with an unhealthy sibling rivalry (who barely remain in contact under usual circumstances) & therefore, the fairly basic concept allows for the tension they harbour to organically manifest itself (with no cheap gimmicks or contrived plot twists; the writing focusing solely on the complexities of human interactions & conflict which may emerge from the various ways in which one may individually respond to certain stimuli), once they're thrust in to an intense situation & the dynamic of their fractious relationship is disturbed by this monumental event in their lives.

Yes, the execution is messy & not every issue raised throughout is satisfyingly resolved by the end, but that authentically mirrors the imperfection of reality & acts as a brilliant way to ground the narrative in something tangible & resonant - which we can all personally relate to.

I have to say that I enjoyed this more than most reviews suggest I should have. Whilst it did seem slightly implausible that the mother could in any practical sense spend so much time away from home as the story required she had, the premise of a parallel life away from her domestic situation (and husband) was understandably appealing to her. The evolving relationship between the daughters was the main thread throughout, and although the 'spiky testiness becomes newly found reconciliation and affection' is a path well trodden, I felt it played out well. I rather enjoyed the performances of Suranne Jones and Eve Best as their relationship evolved over the three episodes. Whilst the dad was a bit of a cliche character for me, and the karaoke story brought nothing to the party, I enjoyed Maryland and watched all episodes back to back. I recommend.

Distant sisters Becca and Rosaline receive the news that their mother Mary has died, found in The Isle of Man, not in Wales as she'd told Becca. The pair travel to The Isle of Man to learn why their mother was there, and how she died.

A great series, this really was something a little different, how nice to have a story like this, after a run of Detective dramas and procedurals. It's well paced and truly absorbing, it's so good I binge watched the three episodes all in one go.

Suranne Jones and Eve Best are both wonderful as the sisters, their journey is so fascinating, the sibling rivalry, the past jealousies and rivalries, their respective ways of dealing with grief.

What a jaw dropping location, such a beautiful place, the cameraman made great use of it.

A great supporting cast including Hugh Quarshie, Dean Lennox Kelly and Stockard Channing, all involved were excellent.

9/10.

Nature or nature, we are all a product of our family and this carries through our whole life.

Maryland is the story, whilst mainly about the relationship between two sisters, about how the passage of time builds deep bonds and deep wounds among family members having pursued what life they wanted to or felt they needed to lead.

TV is full of programmes with a goodie and a baddie, or very stereotypical formats. McDonalds for your eyes.

Maryland is very different, it's written and acted with refreshing normality with a flawless sensitivity to the highly complex reality of family life and relationships.