There She Goes

There She Goes is a British comedy-drama show that premiered on BritBox in 2018. This touching series offers a heartwarming exploration of family dynamics, highlighted by the unique challenges and victories experienced when raising a child with a learning disability.

The show pivots around the life of the Hughes family, which includes Simon Hughes, the father, Emily Hughes, the mother, and their two kids - a nine-year-old daughter Rosie who has a severe chromosomal disorder, and Ben, their oldest and somewhat overlooked son. The story is set in London, and Rosie's chromosomal disorder is neither specified nor diagnosed, however, her condition presents like severe learning disabilities, making day-to-day life challenging for the family.

The narrative mechanism of There She Goes beautifully interweaves moments from two distinct time frames - the present day, and flashbacks to the past when Rosie was first diagnosed. The past moments offer some progressive context into how the family has evolved to handle Rosie's needs better with time, while also showcasing their path filled with uncertainty, unpreparedness, and fear.

The character of Rosie’s father, Simon, is portrayed by David Tennant, known for his role as Doctor Who. Simon’s character is deep, conflicted, yet highly relatable. He loves his daughter, yet often struggles to come to terms with her condition, elucidating a very human side of parenting a child with special needs. Simon’s character is beautifully complemented with his wife Emily, played by Jessica Hynes. Emily's character is the rock that holds the family together. She is seen as the stronger parent, exhibiting tenacity and determination in ensuring the best for Rosie.

One of the greatest strengths of There She Goes is its ability to blend humor and authenticity to present a compelling narrative that doesn't shy away from the realities of raising a child with special needs. Balancing difficult situations with seasoned humor, the series skillfully toe-dipping into the territories of emotional storytelling and delightfully funny dialogues and scenarios. The superb writing, combined with the nuanced and enthralling performances from Tennant and Hynes, makes the series a captivating watch.

The candid portrayal of the Hughes family breaks the mold of the quintessential “perfect” family often seen on television. Instead, it showcases a real, flawed, and loving unit grappling with a life less ordinary. The emotional softness and hard edges of the characters are equally mesmerizing, carefully bundled with a thread of believable familial chemistry. It's not often that a series manages to beautifully render such a challenging scenario with just the right pitch of lightheartedness and real-world sensibility, There She Goes manage this elegantly.

Off camera, the show was brought to life by Shaun Pye, known for his stint as a writer on 'A Bit of Fry and Laurie'. Sarah Crawford directed the show with a clear philosophy to showcase each coupled emotional instance combined with the beautifully written script. Pye, himself the parent of a child with a chromosomal disorder, drew on his own family experiences which adds another layer of authenticity to the narrative, allowing the audience to connect on a deeper level with the story's central themes of resilience, love and acceptance.

The show's charm also extends to its art direction. The hustle and bustle of London serve as a fitting backdrop to the Hughes' journey, articulating the challenges of navigating a busy city with a special needs child.

The music and score, too, play a crucial role in the series, providing an added emotional depth. The score, which includes a wealth of catchy or deeply emotional tunes, enhances the overall emotional resonance of the narrative and characters, helping connect the audience in a more intimate sense to the story being told.

In rounding off, There She Goes is a must-watch if you are in the mood for a series that is thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, hilarious, and heartrending all at once. The series offers a poignant and authentic exploration of the trials and triumphs of raising a child with special needs, ultimately spotlighting the irreplaceable power of familial love and sacrifice amid challenging times.