Red-125 "Last Tango in Halifax" (2012) is a BBC miniseries that will have run for four seasons. Each episode is about an hour long. I'm reviewing the first six episodes--the entire first season. The series is written by Sally Wainwright. Different episodes have different directors.The key plot point is that Celia (Anne Reid) and Alan (Derek Jacobi) were in love with the other as teenagers. For complicated reasons they were parted, and lived separate lives for 60 years. They are reunited via Facebook, and they fall back in love. (All this is seen in the first 20 minutes of the first episode, so I'm not giving anything away.)Each has raised a daughter. Alan's daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker) and Celia's daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) have gone down very different paths. Gillian is a widow. Caroline is in an estranged relationship with her husband John (Tony Gardner).I've already named five characters, but there are more. What's amazing is that the actors portraying each character are all truly excellent. There's not a weak link among them. The BBC has the unique ability to find great actors, and to enable them to work together seamlessly.Derek Jacobi is a famous Shakespearean actor, so we expect great things from him. However, the other actors keep pace with him. If I had to single one of them out, it would be Tony Gardner, as Caroline's husband, John. John is a cheat and an opportunist, but, when he's on screen, he dominates the scene with his very believable and often successful opportunism.This miniseries was produced for TV, so, of course, it works well on the small screen. If you missed it in 2012, you owe it to yourself to see it now. It's melodramatic, but that's what makes it interesting. Some reviewers have called it a BBC soap opera, but I don't agree. It has the look and feel of a first-rate movie, the production values are high, and the acting is superb. If you don't like it, you can always stop watching after the first episode. Trust me--you'll choose to see all six episodes, and then you'll order Season Two and Season Three.

David Land I've never seen a program with such frequent and sudden plot changes! The acting is most excellent however, I must say! Even in the very first episode, the actors seemed they had been playing the roles for years almost. Am I the only one who notices the sudden plot developments? I really would prefer to be able to savor the characters more if it slowed down just a few kilometers per hour. The players are most excellent and, even at the break-neck speed the plots are going, the characters are very believable, even likable. I suppose the pace has been set and will be maintained in this series. The one obvious theme in all this is that no one is to be trusted with any new information for more than five minutes. It does seem to be driving the plot along, however. I will keep watching this series as long as it is offered. The writers will be constantly challenged to keep this pace I do believe.

cloeso9 Ever since I saw Derek Jacobi in "I Claudius," I've loved his acting. Even today he does a remarkable job with silly movies like ones with vampires. This series started off with a terrific cast and deep story lines. Then, something happened around the second year. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, had relationships that deteriorated into backbiting, arguing and soap-opera like twists.I watch television for many reasons, but mostly to get myself OUT of the doldrums. This series makes the Manson family look more loving and loyal. Sorry to say that I stopped watching.....not because of any one particular character but because they all turned bitter, nasty and argumentative. Perhaps the writers should bring back some humor and just a bit of caring. Not sticky sweet but balanced. Right now, it gives me acid reflux.

selffamily I didn't watch the first series on TV, but happened across it on DVD rentals, and became enthralled and enslaved. I really enjoy the leading couple, and their 'daughters' , my how Raquel has grown up! Some of the story lines are a bit far-fetched, and I can't help thinking that perhaps Gillian would have benefited from a stronger chastisement occasionally when she was younger and hormonal, but they are what they are. I love that she is always up to her armpits in dung when she gets company or a phone call - I hope they pay her enough. I hope it doesn't get too silly, but some families do lurch from crisis to disaster, so if they can balance the humour, then it will be realistic. The production team have done a grand job, the acting is splendid. Love it.