This Way Up

Series two somehow manages to be funnier, kinder and more heartbreaking than its predecessor, and is a perfect testament to Bea’s talent.

“This Way Up” still finds enough of life’s tiny absurdities to make for the perfect tether. Aine may not always have the right words for every occasion, but somehow “This Way Up” always does.

Each character in Aine’s orbit is somehow both deeply scarred and doing just fine, a refreshing balancing act. The show, the performances, and the execution are all an exercise in empathy, and it’s a sight to see.

It’s the sibling relationship at the heart of the series that really makes it sing, and Bea and Horgan’s free-flowing chatter, rapid tonal switches and moments of unflinching honesty – “Sometimes you talk like you’re the only one who’s ever sad. It’s annoying” – provide the stand-out moments in a show that captures the precarious balance of life’s light and shade.

The opening sauna scene went on too long, but it didn't matter because Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan are oozing with so much talent that you could watch them doing nothing. ... These are expert hands and the observations sharply pertinent. It's worth the long haul.

Even the inclusion factor of This Way Up is natural and believable, and its management of mental health issues is respectful and personal. Six episodes feel like a lifetime with these wonderful people. At the same time, it’s not nearly enough.