Tonight sees Ordinary Lies air its third episode of the series, and over the weekend, I caught up with the first two episodes.
With series' like this, I sometimes like to keep them all saved up and watch them in one go, but I was so desperate to tune in to Ordinary Lies, I could only get up to episode two before having to get my beady eyes on it - and I'm glad I did!
The first episode, which saw Jason Manford's character, Marty, a salesman at JS Motors, unravel in a world of desperate lies, I found amusing as well as rather sad,
He seemed like he had no get up and go, didn't really care about work, or much else for that matter, until he was given notice that if he were late for his job just once more - he'd be out. Of course, he was, and then told the terrible lie that his wife had died! Why? I don't know, he didn't know. But it opened a can of worms bigger than the 4x4 on the forecourt!
In Marty's 'grief' he sleeps with colleague, Grace, who didn't seem shy in coming on to the husband who had just lost his wife.
One of my favourite scenes was when PA Kathy, played by Sally Lindsey, became suspicious of Marty and went to his house. Of course, she met Marty's dead wife, and the episode culminated in Marty and his missus, who seemed to forgive him, going to his workplace, admitting what he'd done. After his lie, Marty looked more in contri=ol of his life, he was happier both at work and home.
But, surely, Grace's mini-obsession with Marty won't just disappear? Will it be revealed that they had a one-night stand?
We also saw glimpses of Mike, the boss, and his chemistry with Beth, head of HR, played by Max Beesley and Jo Joyner. Beth's husband disappeared a year ago - is he dead or alive? Mike's in a unhappy marriage - the pair have begun an affair. The on-screen chemistry between the two is great, but Jo is one of my favourite actresses, so I think I'm biased, anyway.
Over ep's one and two, we see that there's more than meets the eye with Beth's hubby going awol. She's found phone records, and hands them to the investigating officer, which he traces - to another employee at JS Motors. What's this person hiding?
Episode two was my favourite, so far. It was highly anticipated, anyway, because of it starring Michelle Keegan, in her first role since Corrie.
Michelle plays Tracy, a receptionist, who goes on holiday with her pal, and fellow receptionist, Viv. Telling their colleague's and families that they're flying out to Ibiza, the two girls instead head to the Dominican Republic. But the dream holiday has been paid for by Tracy's boyfriend, who has convinced the girls to smuggle drugs back to the UK. Wanting to live the high life, and knowing they will get a good pay out at the end, the girls agree.
But Viv gets caught, and Tracy can't live with the guilt.
After being dumped by her man after doing his dirty deeds, and Viv's parents showing up at JS Motors to confront her, Tracy's world spirals.
She eventually comes clean, and confesses the whole truth to police. With there not being enough evidence to charge her, Tracy is free to go, but must prosecute against her ex, when police catch up with him. The truth is also not enough to help Viv, who is still in prison over in the Dominican...
I loved the drama in this episode, and Michelle was great in the role. I was on the edge of my seat, as Viv was caught and interrogated. It showed the seriousness of a situation, which some people think would be such an easy way to make money. I hope that it hit home. The domino effect that it had on Viv's family, Tracy's family and also her colleagues was also very emotive.
Episode three tonight promises more drama, as it focuses on Kathy, who meets a dodgy online date, after being in a loveless marriage of her own.
Her tryst has life-shattering consequences when she finds herself witness to a brutal and violent crime.
Kathy’s own morals are put to the test and she has to decide whether to step forward with crucial evidence or keep quiet and protect her secret life...
What will happen to these not-so-ordinary lives, in tonight's Ordinary Lies?
