My Review of It's A Sin: "Episode 1"

 

Written by Russell T. Davies

Directed by Peter Hoar

Ritchie (to casting agent): "I just want to be happy."

It's been nearly two years since the last miniseries event from Russell T. Davies and he's coming back swinging with this rather timely look at the AIDS crisis as we find ourselves in the 1980s and looking at the lives at five LGBT characters who will become affected by this imminent crisis for them.

First of all there's the leader of the group - Ritchie Tozer, as played by Years & Years frontman, Olly Alexander. Olly's no stranger to acting, having played minor roles in shows such as Skins and Penny Dreadful and he's definitely leading man material here with this particular role.

Ritchie's a dreamer and his transition from wanting to be a lawyer to an actor doesn't sit well with parents Clive (Shaun Dooley) and Valerie (Keeley Hawes). They're also unaware that he likes men and mistake best friend, Jill Baxter (Lydia West) for a girlfriend that Ritchie doesn't correct them on.

While Ritchie might have some tension with his family, he spends a good portion if the episode copping up with many fit blokes, including Ash Mukherjee (Nathaniel Curtis), despite putting his foot in it about the latter's heritage while the episode ends with both Ash and Jill discussing the imminent crisis heading their way.

The AIDS crisis however has more of a direct hit on shy, slightly nerdy Colin Morris-Jones (Callum Scott Howells) who loses a mentor and friend - Henry Coltrane to it before the end of this one. While I was a little disappointed to see the miniseries lose Neil Patrick Harris after just one episode, he left such an impression on this that I really hope he works with RTD on another project in the future.

Last but not least, there was Roscoe Babatunde (Omari Douglas) who unlike Ritchie and Colin came out to his family and did it in a very bold, defiant and rather amusement, including slapping his homophobic father. It was a nice bit of subversion on what I expected and I can't wait to see how he manages The Pink Palace in later episodes.

- Originally this series was to be titled The Boys  but then a certain Amazon series happened and it got renamed after a Pet Shop Boys song.

- All the episodes are available to watch on All4 but I'll be watching this weekly on Channel 4. There's also an afterhours series with interviews from cast members each week.

- Standout music: Bronski Beat Smalltown Boy.

- Chronology: This episode started in September 1981 but we got into 1982 as it progressed. 

It's A Sin is starting off we'll and feels like it will be another triumph for RTD. All the characters immediately stand out, it's funny in parts, heartfelt in other and while I expect some deaths among the regulars, I'm gonna enjoy them while I can.

Rating: 8 out of 10