There aren’t any awkward silences during ” The Way Up.” This is partly due to the show’s fast pace. The main reason is that the woman at the show’s center is preternaturally capable of filling in any gap in any conversation.
This does not necessarily mean that “This Way Up“, doesn’t have patience. Season 2 will be available on Hulu. The original season is also available on Channel 4 in the UK. Aisling, the creator/writer/star, has managed to focus these new episodes on Aine’s personality and make them more understandable. Season 1, showed Aine struggling to find stability in her own life. Season 2, however, has her more comfortable. While she’s no longer an ESL teacher (though Shona Horgan has made “Love Island” her preferred instructional tool), Aine is still a charming, attentive sister to Shona. Shona also has unresolved problems.
One of the biggest changes in “This Way Up’ is the realization that Aine and Richard, the father of one of her private students, are moving away from flirting to expressing their feelings. They are both filled with excitement, vulnerability, and joy at this decision. Because they know each other well, it’s difficult for them to openly discuss any relationship. Additionally, each of them has an individual emotional burden that they don’t acknowledge.
Richard, who is more reserved than Aine, shows how the show can be flexible to accommodate characters who may not always be on Aine’s path of playfulness. Richard and Aine are a good match because they care about their fellow humans, even though they have different ways to express it. Alex Winckler, series Director, also brings a renewed and keen eye to Aine’s interactions with her daily people. Winckler’s scenes are fluid and flow from one scene into the next.
Aine and Shona have flipped the season so it’s even more challenging. Bea Horgan and Horgan are still able to enjoy the same natural ease. (See the seamless introduction of a Bodhran into one scene). But now, Aine senses something is wrong underneath the “everything seems fine” facade that her sister shows the world. Shona, who is now in the home stretch planning for Vish’s wedding (Aasif Mandvi) has also been dealing with the effects of an unresolved affair with Charlotte (Indira Varma). It’s not because she is torn, it’s simply that the vast, looming shifts in work environments and the resulting uncertainty are creating a new level of anxiety.
Season 2 is more helpful than the original. There’s a slight, less-exciting feeling about it (like many other post-March 2020 productions). Vish’s departure to New York helps Shona see the bigger picture and puts an end to her doubts and internal struggles. While it means fewer scenes featuring Aine’s school, this doesn’t mean that the school side gets any less. Aine and James (Ekow Quintey), have a new storyline in which Aine assumes more responsibility for their school’s future.
You might assume that “This Way Up,” which has a greater feeling of comfort, loses sight of the events that launched the series. Aine has a chance to meet a Season 1 cast member, but there is noticeably less space between any mentions of Aine’s time at the rehab center and her reasons. Although Aine’s prospects look better than ever, the show admits that there are still some issues.
Season 1 saw plenty of tension from Aine’s mental health. Things were complicated for her with her ex. She didn’t know how to communicate with her ex. Season 2 is told with no reservations, either as a result or because of a change in her attitude towards a new set of episodes. Aine might not like the details being shared beyond certain conversations. Bradley (Kadiff Kerwan), however, will be interested in hearing about Aine’s sex lives. Vish is not just checking in from her future spouse and sister-in-law, but one particular FaceTime session goes much deeper than a simple check. The characters’ ability to let go and have fun is a source of joy. The quips come out sharper and the laughter is more organic. Heart-to-hearts also can create stronger connections than they did before.
But this, in turn, makes those handfuls of unspoken facts that much more powerful. It doesn’t matter to which sister it applies, the line is clearer that divides the hidden from open. That is not a reason to be discouraged. “This Way Up” uses uncertainty to respond to all setbacks, from tiny inconveniences to potentially seismic mistakes, in a positive manner. This is a show that knows these characters more than they.
“This Way Up,” despite dealing with jealousy in a messy relationship, the pitfalls of trying to be productive but ending up eating dinner by the sink, still shows Aine. Aine may not seem relatable to everyone but “This Way Up,” shows her trying a delicate balance between being OK, and meeting expectations. Even though her life is not as chaotic and chaotic as Season 1, “This Way Up,” finds enough small absurdities in life to give her a sense of stability. Aine may sometimes not have the right words at all times, but somehow “This Way Up”, always does.
