Last Tango in Halifax: The Complete Season Two

Fans of the first season of this BBC comedy-drama will be happy to find that septuagenarian widowers Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) finally tie the knot during the second season. But in many respects, the late-in-life relationship between the former childhood sweethearts who reunite over half a century later plays second fiddle to the problems facing their children and grandchildren. Alan's high-strung daughter, Gillian (Nicola Walker), struggles with memories of her husband's death, as well as her son's sudden unexpected fatherhood, and a one-night stand with the divorced husband of Caroline (Sarah Lancashire), who is Celia's daughter. Caroline, meanwhile, finds her romance with a fellow teacher undermined by her gay partner's desire for a child. Writer Sally Wainwright's continuation of her domestic saga isn't quite as fetching as the previous season—some of the twists have a melodramatic tone that strains credulity, although the writing also possesses welcome counterbalancing humor. The acting remains strong, however, with Jacobi and Reid making a charming couple despite the character flaws they occasionally exhibit, and the rest of the cast providing stellar support. While the last episode doesn't conclude with a cliffhanger per se, it certainly leaves enough plot strands unresolved to leave the door open for a third run. Compiling all six episodes from season two, aired on PBS in 2014, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)