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TV review: First Communion and Brian and Maggie

03 February 2025

BBC/Walk On Air Films/Andrew Johnston

Niall, aged eight, who features in First Communion (BBC 1, Monday and Tuesday of last week)

Niall, aged eight, who features in First Communion (BBC 1, Monday and Tuesday of last week)

First Communion (BBC 1, Monday and Tuesday of last week) provided the wholesome highlight of my viewing week. Four Roman Catholic families were followed as they prepared to celebrate their children’s first holy communion. Their stories were skilfully told through gentle conversations with the children; and further insights were provided by their families, teachers, and priests.

The children bravely pondered some very big questions about sin, confession, suffering, and, of course, the importance of eating “holy bread.” Children’s spirituality, so innocently expressed, contains the wisdom of saintly multitudes: eight year old self-professed “ginger ninja” (and star of the show) Niall said: “If you don’t say sorry, your heart will be sad,” which is some of the best theology that I’ve heard lately.

The part played by tradition was a powerful driver: eight-year-old Seren was from a large Liverpool Irish family, and the latest in a long line of generations to be prepared for the sacrament. “It’s what we did; so I want it for her, too,” her mother, Alex, said. This was echoed by Niall’s family, although with some misgivings. Niall’s mother recalled feeling looked down on as a single mother. She recounted a story of a nun telling her that Niall’s crying as a baby was “the devil coming out in him” Why carry on the faith then? “Tradition,” she replied. “It’s what you do.”

Running like a thread through these stories of faith, tradition, love, and devotion were two questions, ones commonly asked about other church-based life events: Does this occasion still have a place in modern life? Is it still an important ceremony rather than just a costly celebration? I am inclined to say yes to both, but I did enjoy how Niall summed it all up: “The bestest, bestest day of my life,” he happily declared. What was the best thing about it? “The cake. So good!” He is only eight, after all.

Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter both gave incredible performances in Brian and Maggie (Channel 4, Wednesday and Thursday of last week), a dramatisation of the infamous 1989 interview between the journalist Brian Walden and the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

The curious relationship that develops between them is told with the requisite pop soundtrack and dubious fashions that we have come to expect from 1980s dramas. Such was its success, and the power of Walter’s magisterial performance, that, for the first time in my life, I found myself sympathising with Thatcher. Walter’s depiction is very impressive: the unflappability, the single-mindedness, the uncompromising nature that finally, of course, led to her downfall.

This was a hugely enjoyable portrait of a divisive but undeniably exceptional woman, with the courage to stand her ground until the bitterest of ends. The ultimate woman of a certain age.

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