Babies Review: A Profound Drama on Grief and Communication
Stefan Golaszewski's exquisite new BBC series, Babies, is a television triumph that delves into the complexities of life after baby loss. This unsettling, funny, and emotionally devastating show follows the lives of Lisa and Stephen, a couple grappling with unspoken pain and the challenges of communication in the face of profound grief.
The Silent Struggle of Lisa and Stephen
Lisa, portrayed by Siobhán Cullen, and Stephen, played by Paapa Essiedu, are a couple who love each other deeply. When Lisa experiences multiple miscarriages, they retreat into a cocoon of silence, refusing to let their losses define them. Their mantra of "staying positive" and "moving forwards" masks a deep-seated loneliness, as Lisa poignantly notes, "We are so alone." The series masterfully captures their attempts to maintain normalcy while navigating the emotional turmoil of their shared trauma.
A Cast of Exquisitely Complicated Characters
Babies expands its narrative to include Stephen's best friend, Dave, played by Jack Bannon, and his new girlfriend, Amanda, portrayed by Charlotte Riley. Dave is a passive-aggressive character with a troubled relationship with his son and a profound lack of self-awareness. His fear of intimacy and tendency towards inappropriate banter make him a complex, often frustrating figure. Amanda, on the other hand, is a stiff-jawed acquisitions manager whose emotional volatility adds another layer of tension to the series. Her vacillation between silence and brutal honesty makes her one of the most intriguing characters in the show.
Themes of Communication and Emotional Evasion
At its core, Babies is a drama about communication—or the lack thereof. It explores what happens when individuals cannot ask for what they need due to vulnerability, embarrassment, or fear of confronting uncomfortable truths. Over six episodes, the series slowly reveals information, with even minor revelations landing like emotional bombs. The narrative tension is palpable as viewers fear the fallout from the characters' reactions to these discoveries.
The Longing to Conceive and Narrative Engineering
The central thread of the series is Lisa and Stephen's desperate longing to conceive. The show features gloriously quotidian montages of their efforts, from frantic sex to tearful moments with pregnancy tests. Hospital scenes are painfully well-observed, highlighting Golaszewski's skill as both a writer and director. Like his previous work, such as Marriage, Babies raises more questions than it answers, probing themes like grief, selfishness, and the toxicity of positive thinking.
A Feat of Storytelling with Minor Quibbles
Babies is a feat of narrative engineering, with expertly assembled elements working in harmony. It is an unapologetically adult drama, unafraid to blend emotional devastation with dark humor. However, the series occasionally overplays themes of toxic masculinity and generational trauma. Additionally, the treacly theme tune, performed by Golaszewski himself, may not resonate with all viewers.
Despite these minor flaws, Babies stands as a special and compelling series. With its unsettling, compassionate, and wildly unpredictable storytelling, Golaszewski has created a show that is both moving and thought-provoking. Babies is now available on BBC One and iPlayer, offering a profound exploration of human connection in the face of loss.
