My Review of Half Man: "Episode 5"

 

Written by Richard Gadd 

Directed by Eshref Reybrouck

Niall: "Ava is pregnant."

Ruben: "Wow. Wow. Honestly that's amazing. I'm gonna be an uncle."

And yet, everything that followed from that little moment indicated that Ruben wasn't best pleased about Niall's potency. In fact it highlighted his own lack of potency and that led to some really tough scenes in this penultimate episode.

In flashbacks for the previous episode, both Niall and Ruben came to some sort of understanding. They were even having double date last with Mona and Ava respectively but issues of money, fatherhood and old insecurities reared their head once again.

Ruben can only mimic being normal for so long but his penchant for explosive rage resulted him having been unemployed for over a year and borrowing money to support both Niall and Mona respectively. His intense jealousy over both got extreme during this episode as well.

Mona wanting her own independence by teaching dance classes had Ruben convinced that she was sleeping with Benji (Gunnar Bjercke). Ruben was right but the way Niall confirmed his brother's worst fears just to save his own skin was awful. Congrats Niall, you just caused a man's death.

This episode sadly was Niall at his absolute worst. His indignant stance at having to pay Ruben back, borrowing money from Ava's father for conversion therapy that obviously didn't work and his refusal to accept his sexuality. For the first time, I actually found myself unsympathetic towards. Add to that, he also slept with Mona after being aware that Ruben's unable to father children.

Back in the current day, this did lead to Niall losing his rag with Ruben outside and the two of them heading into the shed. I'm glad there's one episode left because I don't think I could handle any more stress from this chaotic duo.

- Lori was right to point out that Niall was lying to himself about his sexuality. Even Ava knew he was gay but only ditched him after he slept with a male prostitute.

- Mona quickly realised that Cosmo in Niall's book was actually Ruben. Ruben spoke poorly of her during the episode.

- Did Ava keep the baby? I don't think we've seen them during the present day scenes.

- Yet again, Ruben made a play for Niall's cock as a reaction to Ava being pregnant.

- Standout music: Kylie Minogue's All The Lovers.

- Chronology: 2010 in the flashback. Ava mentioned having a geriatric pregnancy at 42. Anjli Mohindra is younger than Ava.

Although this one might be the weakest compared to what we've had, I did rather like it. I'm gonna give a shout out to both Anjli Mohindra and Amy Manson who were every bit as excellent as Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell have been.

Rating: 7 out of 10