If you get the chance to watch this, do it and watch it all. If you can do it in one go even better although after watching the 1st episode you will find it difficult trying to stop watching. Much has been said in other reviews on this but to make a drama like this now for mainstream television would be impossible. Amazon / Netflix and a.n.other could do it but my god they would have to fork out a lot of money.
The idea of the drama is superb, the production values are impeccable but the genuine genius of this was the casting. All the main four actors were relatively unknown at the time but just look at where they are now. I will not say who was best as it is impossible, all of them made stunning portraits of people you can really relate to. The "support" cast are magnificent, each and every one of them, but special mentions go to Peter Vaughan, Marlcolm McDowell, David Bradley and especially Alan Armstrong.
It will make you laugh, it will make you cry (Geordie and Nicky at the bar at time of Nicky's mums funeral).
Watch it and you will see how drama with the right team of people behind it can work and work well.
Watch it and you will see how drama with the right team of people behind it can work and work well.