Our lead character here is Barry, a charming 75-year-old Antiguan descent man and a successful businessman, husband, beloved father and grandfather. But he also has a secret. He has been lovers for over 50 years with his best friend Morris. They have been friends since their boyhood in Antigua and soulmates since they were old enough to know what the word meant. Their relationship is a beautiful thing. When they are together, their happiness is almost palpable. But they both have 'straight' lives, not just to keep up the appearances but there is a deeper shame that is in both of them that has prevented them from taking any action. But the life is not easy. Barry's wife Carmel has long suspected her husband of being unfaithful, although she thinks it has been with a string of women over the years. The duo have two daughters. Elder one raising a teenage son on her own and who is bitter about everyone in life and the younger one, all grown up but who hasn't been able to settle and still relies on daddy's money. At 75, Barry figures that time is running out. He tells Morris he is finally ready to leave Carmel and be with him, if still covertly. Morris looks at him with weary tenderness. They have been here before. Flashbacks gradually reveal how many times – and what they have cost Barry’s patient, self-effacing lover. But he still cannot do that. Through many many flashbacks we see what and how became of Morris and Barry. As young lovers, Barry's brother saw them and beat them up, Morris' wife sees them together and he has to beg and giver her everything and divorce to keep her quiet. We also do see Carmel's own secrets and some of her internal world are revealed eventually. In a dramatic last two episodes, we see how Barry can't keep it all in and eventually blurts out that yes he is gay, always has been.
The shoe doesn't shy away from Barry’s many flaws. Through his actions and inner monologue, we get to know how he is selfish, bitter and lacking in compassion. It's only with Morris we see his eyes filled with love. Sadly, both men have experienced first and second-hand homophobic violence. Barry and Morris were caught having sex in Antigua as young men; Barry is the victim of an attack while initiating gay sex in a public park; and he is traumatized by the memory of a black gay man killed in the London Jamaican community. So, the show asks the viewers how you can avoid being any of these things when the world you grew up in forbade you to express yourself freely and you are discriminated against for your sexuality and your skin colour. Morris already lost his own family and that of Barry is hanging by aa loose thread. This is a tale of accepting yourself, whatever your age, it also reinforces a message so true in real life but so absent from fiction: you are only the protagonist of your own story. I loved the fact how this show doesn't tell us everything all at once. Layer by layer we slowly see what happened in many instances in the past. Even though Barry has his issues he has a softer side to him. The dapper suits he wears to be a proper man and keep his reputation is a far cry from when he is with the love of his life. The two actors playing the leads are just incredible and so is Carmel. Being gay myself, it's hard for me to not empathize with Barry and Carmel both. I also loved the tender portrayal of Morris by the actor. He lost everything and has been still patient waiting for Barry to someday show his affection public and in the hope that one day they might still be able to live together and even get married. Although the story revolves around his coming out journey, the show isn't afraid to acknowledge the hurt he has caused to people closest to him, particularly Carmel. She has been emotionally abandoned by Barry's incapacity to be honest over the years. This is a delicate story to tell and the series does not shy away from controversy either and handles the prejudices of the characters with both touching realism tinged with humor and sadness
This depiction of repressed sexuality within ethnic minority, and marked by a whole lot of suffering is refreshing to see. The show doesn't make it gloomy at all. Thanks to Barry's inner monologues, the show is quite entertaining. It bravely addresses the struggles of being an old, gay Black man, particularly through scenes where Barry grapples with violent memories and societal rejection. It highlights not only the personal cost of living inauthentically but also the enduring resilience of love. A timely exploration of Black queer story of love, self-acceptance, and the courage to live truthfully. This show deserves all the awards that it is getting, especially to both the male leads recent BAFTA win. (9/10)
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