The second season of This Way Up has come to its conclusion on British television. The season’s finale is one of the best episodes the series has ever produced.
Aine receives the tragic news that her friend from rehab, Tom, has killed himself. She sets out to pay her respects and his death makes Aine try and set things right with people she has fallen out with. Shona also receives news that she can still have children and prepares for Vish’s return home. But Shona makes a cock-up that could threaten her relationship.
The previous season of This Way Up focused on Aine’s struggles with mental health. It was revealed that she tried to commit suicide. This episode hit home for Aine on several levels. Aine’s last conversation with Tom was a falling out with Tom breaking off the friendship. There was more to it than Tom saying he was cutting off bad influences. Aine saw the pain Tom’s death caused his family. The death has an impact on Aine psychologically because she had a go at two women thinking they were talking about Tom. Aine also set out to make amends with James after James found out about her relationship with Richard.
This episode improved Season 2, Episode 4 because the season’s finale follows up on some plot points from that episode. As well as following up on Aine’s relationships with Tom and James, the end of the episode hints that they might be a spark between Aine and her flatmate.
Mental Health issues are close to Aisling Bea’s heart. Her father took his own life when she was three and after the episode aired, she promoted support organisations on Instagram. Because of her experience, This Way Up’s portrayal of mental health struggles felt authentic. Some of the best episodes of This Way Up focus on mental health, like Season 2, Episode 3.
Shona’s story seemed like it was going to continue to explore whether she wants children. But it really focused on the aftermath of Shona and Charlotte’s interview with the financial journalist. The journalist ran a sensationist headline where he portrays the pair as naïve and reckless for trying to run an ethical investment fund. Yet the article ended up having a dividend for Shona and Charlotte’s business.
Shona and Charlotte’s relationship does finally has an effect on Shona’s relationship with Vish. Throughout season two Shona’s relationship with Vish, and her conflicted feelings, have played an important part in her story. It was always going to have a dramatic moment and it finally happened when Shona sent a voicemail to the wrong person. It led to her falling into a mini-state of depression as she waits for the inevitable.
The finale was a sombre conclusion to this season. It focused on a heart-wrenching subject that was handled with realism and sensitivity whilst still providing a few chuckles.
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