Published by Mason Oldridge, 7 March 2024
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Excellent casting and a delicate story combine perfectly to make for a touching romantic drama series as the David Nicholls novel is given the Netflix treatment.
Students Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew meet at a graduation party at the University of Edinburgh on 15 July 1988. The series then follows their developing relationship by revisiting them on the same date over the next twenty years. This guides us through Emma’s struggles to become a writer and Dexter’s battle with fame as a criticised TV presenter, as well as their respective relationships with other people as they navigate a friendship.
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall are simply sensational in the lead roles, giving them their much-deserved breakthrough in their careers. Their emotionally-charged performances lead audiences to fully immerse themselves in the story and truly believe in the connection the couple have.
Every episode is utterly compelling, though notable tear-jerkingly touching moments include the twosome’s catch-up in the maze at the wedding and Emma returning to her flat to choose Dexter in Paris. However, the highlight is when a lonely and intoxicated Dexter calls Emma from the train station after being shouted at by his father, desperate to speak to her, yet to no avail as she is out on a date.
A surprise comes towards the end of the series as Emma is hit by a reckless driver and dies in what should indisputably go down as one of the most heartbreaking deaths on television. A devastated Dexter reverts to his self-destructive behaviour, feeling lost and broken, in what is one of the most difficult to watch and hard-hitting scenes of television ever.
Rarely is storytelling done this beautifully. The series ends with Dexter taking his daughter to Edinburgh, fading in and out of memories of he and Emma there, ending with their iconic kiss on the city steps. Em & Dex, forever in our hearts.
10/10