MotherFatherSon

 review

 by Ben Soton

BBC2’s Wednesday Night drama is a multi-layered story centred on the relationship between a newspaper magnate his ex-wife and their son. The story is intertwined with a forthcoming general election and investigative journalists unearthing evidence of high-level corruption.

 Max Finch is played by Richard Gere, who has obviously taken a break from talking drivel about human rights abuses in the People’s Republic of China, is owner of the ‘National Enquirer’, a UK based newspaper which he runs along with his son Caden. With a general election looming Finch is courted by the leaders of the major parties; this brings back memories of Tony Blair’s sycophancy towards Rupert Murdoch’s News International.

In Episode One Caden takes a cocaine overdose and suffers a severe brain haemorrhage and needs rehabilitation. This is where his mother, brilliantly played by Helen McRory, takes a major role.  As the story progresses Caden’s speech and motor skills improve but what you also appear to see is a transition from media psychopath to an almost decent human being. Meanwhile an aging journalist played by Sinéad Cusack resigns from the Enquirer and with Nick Caplan, still employed by the paper together investigate high level corruption.  Although there are whole episodes with no reference to this story.

The drama makes continued reference to media intrusion into people’s lives; we are reminded of the News of the World hacking of the phone of the murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler.  But the story or stories have become somewhat disjointed; as soon as I became interested in one area of the drama the story shifts to another. You end up asking yourself what is it actually about?

In the story the United Kingdom has a black Muslim Prime Minister whose politics are those of cringing liberalism.  He is challenged by Angela Howard, a businesswoman turned politician who advocates a shadowy form of right-wing populism.Voters are not exactly spoilt for choice. Max decides to switch support to Angela Howard; his justification being many of his readers are warming to her.  However, would a Murdoch style newspaper baron switch support to a socialist or progressive politician – I think we know the answer. 

This aspect of the plot raises the question as to what extent newspapers influence opinion or simply reflect it. The answer is an element of both.

 If you are reading this paper your politics are probably left-wing, anti-imperialist and it is unlikely you went on the so-called Peoples Vote March. If our editorial position came out in support of the ‘Independent Group’ you would probably somewhat shocked but you may be Influenced by our line on say Venezuela, China or even our excellent television reviews!

The fact that the plot is all over the place has kept me interested in the drama. Although when I sat down to watch episode five, I was expecting the story around the general election to continue; instead we were taken back to Max’s childhood. This gave us an explanation of Max’s character and his relationship with Caden.  Is Caden’s cocaine overdose a rebellion against his upbringing? Are we products of our parents?

In other words, a though provoking psychological/political thriller that is still worth watching.

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