I watched Love My Way when it came out and I was 16/17. I remember being so affected by it. So enthralled by these amazing characters and their stories, longing for my own adulthood that I was so close to entering. I've just rewatched the series and am so nostalgic for who I was at the time I originally watched it, equally as moved, and reflecting that I am somehow now the same age as Frankie during the series. It has a lasting effect.
Firstly, Sydney is the amazing backdrop, it so brilliantly glimmers throughout each episode (even The Cross). It's the jewel in the crown.
Frankie is the heartwarming protagonist. She is a brilliant woman despite everything that's thrown at her. Her patience is admirable. She's surrounded by a mostly selfish bunch, if I am being honest; including her mother who really floored me with her inconsideration at times. Poor Frankie. Really.
Tom (Frankie's housemate, Charlie's brother) aggravated me off a lot. He is so troubled, out of control and frightening at times. He did some of the most selfish and arrogant things I've witnessed (equal to Lewis), like when he pined over and fought for his girlfriend Katie for such a long time, went overseas, asked her to meet him in 6 months then returns back to Sydney suddenly/unexpectedly and runs into her. She asks if he was going call.... My gosh he was a prick in that scene, there was just no explanation for it. His only redeeming quality was that he was great in a crisis that didn't involve him.
Charlie (Frankie's ex/Tom's brother/Julia's husband) was so lovable. Despite his flaws, he was a good man and father. I can't quite picture him and Frankie together as a couple but as they said, they were young when they had Lou, their daughter, and, thankfully they did.
Julia (Charlie's wife, Tom's sister-in-law, friend to Frankie) was such a juxtaposition; prim and proper, and yet, just as lost as the rest. I related to her the most and thoroughly enjoyed the romance and dynamic between Julia and Charlie.
Lewis (and his teenage son Dylan) enters as Frankies love interest in the second season. I can see Lewis as a fling but as her life partner, Frankie could do (and deserves) SO much better! Like Tom, his arrogance was baffling at times. There's nothing "charming" about him at all. And, to top it off he has a son leading by his example that Frankie has to put up with.
Despite my disdain for some of the characters, it never made me switch off. There's also some amazing secondary characters, like Frankie's colleagues George and Eileen - they were fantastic - I wish George was in the third season. I missed him. Tom and Charlie's parents, each love interest, ex, family member and friend that popped up was SO perfectly acted. As others have said, this is without a doubt the best drama series I have ever watched. If you watch, I guarantee it will leave a lasting impression on you. It is heavy, dealing with grief, loss, drugs, addiction, suicide, sexuality, mental health issues. All of it. But, threaded throughout is heart, humour and grit.
I would absolutely LOVE a "present day" follow up season. With so many in production these days, this series is deserving of one. I believe with the same team involved, it would be a winner. I can't help but wonder if Frankie and Lewis would have lasted the distance (personally I don't think so). Did Frankie have another baby? What's Tom up to? Julia? Charlie? Toby (Julia and Charlie's child) would be 18 or so by now? I would pay a mint to watch it and I'm sure many others would too. Please make it happen xx.
