Between The Sheets - Complete Series One (DVD)

...appears from under the duvet, between her legs.

However, it is not just this couple having problems in the sack. Alona and her fiancee Paul (Richard Armitage) have similar issues, as he can't get it up for her. This story develops throughout the entire series, with a sinister turn of events. Her teenage son is also shagging the au pair, Peter and Hazel's son Simon (James Thornton) has an affair with one of his dad's ex's, and the ...
...she turns out to be a lesbian) all combine to construct a powerful, thought-provoking and shocking drama with humorous interludes.

My favourite episode is the last one, as the stories', which have twisted and turned throughout, are all wrapped up, culminating in emotional tirades of grief. Priced at around £15, this is very good value for a re-watchable and enjoyable drama series. Unfortunately, there was no second series, probably ... more

I have recently re-watched this series, so thought I would review it while it remains fresh in my mind. The DVD is a 6-part ITV drama series from 2003, from the salaciously-inventive pen of Kay Mellor OBE. Renowned for works such as 'Playing the Field', 'Fat Friends' and 'Band of Gold', Mellor has natural creativity, and the portrayals of her works are extremely believable. And, at an hour long (actually 50-ish minutes, thanks to commercial breaks during the broadcast), each episode is the ideal length combined with heart-warming humor and high drama.

The DVD describes it as 'A Ground Breaking Drama About Sex, Love & Fidelity', and I think that is true - I have certainly seen nothing like it on television before. As is probably to be expected, given the subject matter on show, it is certificated for sale to persons of 18 years of age or over. There is a strong sexual connotation throughout, plus graphic sex scenes and scenes of nudity. The nudity isn't too bad - only bums and boobies on display - but the sex scenes leave very little to the imagination. I found this quite surprising given the fantastic cast.

While I'm on the subject of the cast, as is to be expected in a Mellor drama, we can expect a role for daughter Gaynor Faye. I wish my mum was a writer so I could be on the television again. I've been on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' and 'The Jeremy Kyle Show', but I would love to act. I, on occasion, enjoy watching Faye, however, in my opinion, there are finer actresses who could have portrayed this role better. She should stick to ice skating.

In addition to Faye, Oscar nominee and BAFTA and Golden Globe winner Brenda Blethyn stars, and delivers a thoroughly-believable performance throughout. Hazel (Blethyn) is married to Peter (Alun Armstrong), and their sex life is as empty as the biscuit barrel in Dawn French's kitchen. This is down, in no small part, to Hazel's prudishness and frigidity. She arranges an appointment to see a sex therapist, named Alona (Julie Graham). I would love to be a sex therapist - she gets to set them tasks and homework and everything.

Peter owns a strip-club, which Hazel knows nothing about, and it is there where we are introduced to one of his many previous affairs, Georgia (Faye). In a nutshell, because his wife doesn't 'put out' at home, his needs have been satisfied by numerous women over the years.

It doesn't help that Peter's mother Audrey (Liz Smith) is getting it daily from her next door neighbour Maurice (Norman Wisdom), and the awkwardness of Hazel while her mother-in-law is discussing having geriatric sex is one of the highlights of the series. I would like to point out that none of the graphic sex scenes involve these two characters, as they were 83 and 89 respectively when it was aired.

Another favourite scene of mine is after Alona sets them some homework, and we cut to a scene where Hazel is lying in bed, looking extremely uncomfortable and there is a sound like a cat lapping up milk. She tells Peter to stop doing what he's doing and his head appears from under the duvet, between her legs.

However, it is not just this couple having problems in the sack. Alona and her fiancee Paul (Richard Armitage) have similar issues, as he can't get it up for her. This story develops throughout the entire series, with a sinister turn of events. Her teenage son is also shagging the au pair, Peter and Hazel's son Simon (James Thornton) has an affair with one of his dad's ex's, and the story of Hazel discovering her sexuality (I don't mean that she turns out to be a lesbian) all combine to construct a powerful, thought-provoking and shocking drama with humorous interludes.

My favourite episode is the last one, as the stories', which have twisted and turned throughout, are all wrapped up, culminating in emotional tirades of grief. Priced at around £15, this is very good value for a re-watchable and enjoyable drama series. Unfortunately, there was no second series, probably due to the fact that all loose ends were tied up. I bet Hazel wishes she could tie up Peter's end... 

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