TV Reviews: Education Addition

Hello world! Welcome back to another blog! In this blog, I will mention three more TV shows I've been watching and my thoughts on them. These three all feature in the education sector, and they include the third and final series of a comedy, series 15 of going to the iconic school in Manchester, and the second series of the five scholarship students. So without further ado, here are my TV reviews.

Big Boys:

The first show I’m going to talk about is Big Boys, written by jack Rooke, casted by Rachel Sheridan and starring Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing.

This show follows a young jack navigating his way through his final year of university, along with the challenges and next step he and his friends face along the way.

Jack has done it again. His narration, his comedy genius and some heartfelt moments really made the last series of this show a special one. Dylan Llewellyn played the role of young jack brilliantly once again. He managed to get his confidence up when it comes to dating, and also developed his skills in writing. But again he maintained his friendship with Danny (pointing) who was going through a rough time as it is, one of which was the eventual death of his nan iris (Sheila Reid) and if you watch the series you’ll see what other stuff he had to endure. Even though the outcome wasn’t the one Jack was hoping for, I loved the final episode where present jack gave him an alternate ending, showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And that was the best surprise of them all, as after researching why he wrote the show in the first place, I can see I his passion flourishing into the spotlight.

Jack and Danny’s friends also had massive life changed as well. Corinne (played by izuka Hoyle), made a bold step with regards to her dissertation and plans after uni. Yemi (played by Olisa Odele), made a decision with regards to his fashion career. And Peggy (played by Camille Coduri), managed to put herself out there in the dating game and made a sad but understandable reason when it came to Russell (played by James Doherty). We also got to see Shannon (played by Harriet Webb), face her demons whilst also becoming a mum for the first time, and Jules (played by katy wix), being the goofy course mentor that we all know, but in the last episode we got to see a more emotional side to her, and also her reason as to why she decided to stay on at university after her studies. We also got a surprise by nana bingo (played by Annette Badland). I won’t say what it is, as you’ll have to watch episode 5 to figure out what it is! 

I don’t really think I have any downsides to it, as it had everything with a hidden reason behind it all. But maybe the one thing I would say is about the gang finding out about the decision jack made with Yemi in episode 1 (which I won’t say what as you’ll have ti watch it to find out). But sometimes these things are best left a secret. 

Overall I would give the show a full house. It was one of the very few comedies that made me chuckle without forcing it, and there was also some lovely moments as well, showing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I don’t know what jack Rooke himself will do next, but I know for a fact that Big Boys is the start of his incredible writing journey. 

Waterloo Road:

The next show I’m going to review is Waterloo road, featuring a star studded cast including Adam Thomas, Kym Marsh and Lindsay Coulson.

Once again we are back at the school where the chaotic lives of students and teachers are present. 

The teachers growth from the last series was definitely seen followed by some new faces. Dame Stella drake (Lindsey Coulson), made her mark at the school, thinking that focusing on just education was the key to this school. But now after a horrific incident and also a visit to former teacher now therapist Jack Rimmer (played by Jason Merrells), she realised that her ways are not the same as today. But it’s not just her who’s had it easy. Coral and Neil (Rachel Leskovac and Neil Fitzmaurice), had a new challenging but exciting next chapter in their life, and Amy (Katherine Pearce), also decided to make a big career change after mentioning traumatising past experiences to Stella, fed up of her teaching methods. Donte (Adam Thomas), also had drama on his hands when he finds himself dating both Nisha and her daughter Jas (Saira Choudhry and Lauren Patel) and also finding out from old flame Celine (Zeriozha Annika), that new student Ashton (Cory McClane), was his biological son! And Nicky (Kym Marsh), also had a challenge with to Tonya’s health scare. 

The students also brought the drama to this iconic school. Noel (Liam Scholes), was still the cheeky chappy, but is also as always dedicated to music and quite a romantic when it comes to Stace (Tillie Amarty). And speaking of stace, she, Lois and Aleena (Miya Ocego and Sonya Nisa), may be known as the sassy squad, but they have each others backs through tough times. These include Aleena's drama from a previous school, Stace's mum confronting Stella, and Lois facing her nan following her dementia diagnosis. If that’s not the sign of true friendship I don’t know what is. We also saw Schuey (Zak Sutcliffe), turn his life around after befriending and starting a relationship with fellow student Agnes (Niamh Blackshaw who at 27 still looks amazing for a student role), realising that everything that happened previously was down to his actions, and Tonya (Summer Violet Bird), finally getting answers on her pain she has suffered in the last series. Ashton has also made a mark at Waterloo road, and whilst I don’t excuse his behaviour, I can see why he does those things, and it’s just to purely get attention. But I have a feeling that he and Izzy (Scarlett Thomas), will come to blows if there was a new series. But the storyline that stood out for me was Libby (Hattie Denvoyer) and Jared’s (Matthew Kahn) abusive relationship. Whilst I had to skip some of the scenes due to it being a distressing watch, it was good to highlight the topic, knowing it’s still a subject that happens to a lot of people to this day. And well done to Matthew for showing that just because an actor has a disability it doesn’t mean that they’re always the pity party. And it’s moments like this storyline where being abusive has got nothing to do with having a disability.

I don’t think I have any downsides to the show other than what other storylines could they do at Waterloo Road? And if there will be another series? Although given Tonya's answers and this new feud between Ashton and Izzy, maybe I have an incline of what’s to come. 

Overall, I would give the show a 4.95. It had laughter, it had drama and important storylines to help spread awareness. And with Jack Rimmer returning, I think it’ll still be going strong. 

Boarders:

The final show I’m going to review is boarders, casted by Rosalie Clayton and one of the directors being Sarmad Masud (who I had the pleasure of meeting twice):

The second series of this iconic show tells the story of the five scholarship students who once again prove themselves that they belong at the school whilst also causing abit of mischief along the way.

This series saw the gang grow in their what’s and also relationships with their fellow students. Head of the pack Jaheim (played by Josh Tedeku), had complications in his love life, all whilst trying to help his family and keep his head boy status. But after a good chat from old friend Malachi (played by Mohammed Mansaray who was also in abit of trouble himself), Jaheim managed to see that he needs to enjoy being a student and not take on sod much responsibility. Leah (Jodie Campbell), also still had that rebellious status, wanting to take down new headmistress Carol (who I will mention later on), and also trying to maintain her friendship with Mabel. Omar (Myles Kamwendo), was to talk of the town after trying to do everything he can to get into The Raisentettes, but having an impact on his relationship with Dilton (Dillon Mitra), and we also saw Femi (Aruna Jalloh), have the courage to actually stand up to his family, finally realising what he wants to study. And Toby (Sekou Diaby), was still the same cheeky chappy who always has a good deal to make, especially with fellow student Yelena (played by Ruxandra Porojnicu who at 31 still looks amazing for a student role). And after seeing him do Japanese in the first series, we then got to see him do Italian. Is there any language this boy can’t do? 

Other characters affected the gangs journey in both a good and bad way. New student Devonye (Kendra Brown), made her mark and also got closer to Mabel (Georgina Sadler but was still the same dim witted sidekick), who at first seemed suspicious, but after Omar’s secrets came to light, we got to see why Leah was jealous of her. Jaheims brother Caleb (Kyle Malcolm), tried to convince him to give his mother Grace (Wunmi Mosaku), a chance to be the mother they always needed. After a rocky start he at least managed to be civil with them, which is a start. Drama teacher Jude (Cara Theobold), also had an impact on Femi’s education and what he really wanted to do, and wasn’t so easily intimidated by Carol. Beatrix and Florence’s (Tallulah Greive and Rosie Graham), friendship was put to the test linking to Jaheims love life (where Florence May start to realise her true feelings for him. Oh dear), and Abby (Asda Kanoute) relied on an important scholarship to stay in the school. Let’s just hope that if there was a third series if she doesn’t attend the school that we’d still see her. Femi’s posh friends, one of which featured Graham, (Andrew Harmon-Gray), may have claimed to be a bad influence on him (but to be fair, the first session with Jude didn’t help), but they have actually helped him realise carols true intentions. And speaking of Carol (Niky Wardley), whilst she made her mark as headmistress, she certainly had her tactics to literally get rid of the gang, and it wasn’t even to do with their grades. But it wasn’t just the school she was taking control of. She also made Rupert (Harry Gilby and after doing some research, found out he is from Nottingham and went to the television workshop. How quaint), lie about his whereabouts. So I can still see why he is the bully of the school, particularly towards Omar and Jaheim, but I know it’s not an excuse. 

I think my only two downsides were that I never got to see why Rupert was always targeting Omar (and I made a prediction between them two but it didn’t happen) and also the conclusion of what will Jaheim do with regards to his education. I don’t know if they’ll be a third series, but if there is I would want to know his outcome.

Overall I would give the show a 4.95. It was funny, it was tense and I’m glad I got to see the development of the gang whilst also meeting some new faces along the way. 

And those were some of my reviews I saw on screen. Let me know what you thought of them if you watched them, and whilst I’ve got some other tv shows already to watch, let me know what other suggestions you recommend me watch and review.

See you soon for another blog. Until next time…

This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)