Ordinary Lies ends on a high

I've enjoyed BBC1's six-part series, Ordinary Lies, so much so that I felt genuine sadness whilst watching the last episode last night. 

Danny Brocklehurst has created a great, gritty drama here and along with Kay Mellor, it was beautifully written.

The final installment saw Beth and Mike finally confess they were in love, after starting an affair. I clapped inside as the two decided that they would make a go of their relationship, even if Mike had to leave his wife, and possibly lose his job as manager of JS Motors. 

But - fate had other ideas, and Beth's missing husband returned, 19 months after going missing. Spanner in works? Indeed... 

There were some nice twists through Beth and Mike's story, and even now, we don't know what decisions were made. 

Did Beth give her hubby, Dave, another chance despite not feeling the same about him? Or did Mike decide to stay loyal to his wife, after his father-in-law's threat?

I'm glad there are unanswered questions - it means that there's a possibility for a second series, which Jason Manford hinted to this morning on his Facebook account. Yay! 

Jo Joyner gave a stunning performance, as always. She's so good at the emotive, gritty scenes but also oozes comedic values too. As one of my favourite actresses (have I mentioned that before?!) I always really enjoy watching Jo, whether it's as Tanya Branning, Beth Corben, or any other role she may play.

The episode also took a look back to previous storylines. Michelle Keegan's character, Tracey, revealed that Viv was getting a transfer to a UK prison, after their drug smuggling mission went very wrong, in her friends favour. Will Tracey get Viv's friendship back, and who will be found guilty of what?

We also saw Grace, who fell into bed with Jason Manford's character, Marty, decide to find a man of her own, online dating. Grace had a crush on Marty, which grew when he told the whopper of a lie that his wife had died, way back in episode one. But when the truth came out - Marty and his wife patched their marriage up, leaving Grace feeling cold... But has she really got over him?

Kathy, played by Sally Lindsey, also cheated on her husband, Ralf, as he was unable to satisfy her needs in the bedroom. But will her marriage really fully recover, due to Ralf's inability to have sex? Then there's also Rick, who had an affair with Mike's fifteen-year-old daughter, and did a runner when he was found out. Rick and Ruby seemingly had feelings for each other, but he soon left the teen heartbroken. Will Rick be found and arrested? And how did Ruby, however mature she might have seemed, get over their relationship, even though she's still only a child?

I can see so many more stories to come out of this series...

Viv being unable to forgive Tracey, who could also find herself behind bars. Mike's daughter, Ruby, discovering she's expecting Rick's child at just fifteen, Marty and Grace beginning a full-time affair, even after all the lies he's told and Beth and Mike's forbidden romance continuing in non-other than dramatic fashion, are just a few. 

So many questions, so many fantastic actors all under one Car Sales roof! 

Hurry up and return, Ordinary Lies! 

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Ordinary Lies, not so Ordinary Lives

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?

Have you been enjoying the series so far?

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Ordinary Lies

BBC1's new drama series Ordinary Lies begins this evening, and I'm looking forward to tuning in.
No only because the concept of the show intrigues me, but the cast line-up looks ab-fab!

We've got Michelle Keegan (Coronation Street), Jason Manford (Little Crackers), Jo Joyner (EastEnders), Max Beesley (Mad Dogs), Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean), Rebecca Callard (Glue), Sally Lindsay (Mount Pleasant) and Belinda Stewart-Wright (The Inbetweeners) to name a few.
It is Michelle Keegan's first TV role since leaving Corrie, so all eyes will be on her, as well as Jason Manford, who's another favourite.
But my absolute tellybox fave is Jo Joyner, so I'm looking forward to her performances most.

The show is based in a car showroom and focuses on a different character each week, proving that the most ordinary and simple lives can spiral out of control.

Tonight's first show of the six-part series concentrates on Jason Manford's character, Marty McLean. Marty is a family man, who's struggling at both work and at home. On his final warning, and exhausted, Marty sleeps through his alarm and is late for work. Knowing he could be fired, Marty lies that his wife has died! He doesn't know why he said it, but his untrue words soon begin to unravel a host of even more drama, especially as he gets close to colleague, Grace, played by Rebecca Callard.

Marty's lies also open up a can of worms and hurt for Head of Sales, Beth Corben, played by Jo Joyner, whose husband Dave went missing the year before. After receiving mysterious phone calls, she confides in Mike, played by Max Beesley, but with Mike’s marriage hanging in the balance, the chemistry between him and Beth is difficult for the pair to ignore.

There haven't been any more spoilers for the rest of the show's series just yet, but I think it's well worth a watch.

I can see myself being hooked already...

Ordinary Lies is on at 9pm tonight on BBC1.

Let me know what you think!

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