The episode opens at a party with Barrington “Barry” Walker (Lennie James) and Morris De La Roux (Ariyon Bakare) dancing. A woman cuts in to dance with Barry. Seeing Morris at the bar, Barry approaches and asks if he is familiar with the word, denial. Morris asks if he knows it. Barry denies being a teetotaler like him. Morris claims to have memory problems. Barry suggests he has early dementia and urges him to increase his oily fish intake before tempting him with his alcoholic beverage. Morris is tempted but doesn’t cave to the pressure. Barry admits he is joking and assures him that he is sane as ever. Later, Morris pulls up in front of a house. Barry invites him in for a nightcap but he refuses. Intoxicated, Barry emerges from the car and stumbles his way to the wrong gate. Morris points to the right gate. Barry pats his hand and continues on his way. Once inside, he lightly shuts the door, gently lays his keys on the table, and tosses his coat over the stair railing. Carmel Walker (Sharon D Clarke) stirs away when he opens the door. As he is undressing, she tells him that it is morning. He urges her to go back to sleep. She says the Lord is coming for her soon and then she will sleep. She complains about him reeking of cigar smoke and alcohol. He apologizes. She nags him for not getting a cell phone. He mentally says she would utilize it to track him but agrees to get one to make her happy. He informs him of her estranged father having another stroke. He mentally says after a 30-year hiatus, her father would be shocked to see her now. Carmel gives him an ultimatum to stop his promiscuity or she will leave after she returns from visiting her father. Placing his hand over his heart, he swears she is the only woman he has ever slept with. She slaps and warns him that God will damn him.

Noticing Barry is in a foul mood, Morris points out that he is usually thrilled when Carmel is away. Barry says she gave him a hard time last night. Morris assures him that he gives Carmel a hard time too. Morris complains about how she doesn’t appreciate him and accuses him of cheating. Morris says but he does cheat. Barry argues that it isn’t what she thinks. Morris reminds him that it was his decision to marry Carmel. Barry informs him of his decision to leave Carmel. In a flashback, young Morris (Gabin Kongolo) suggests to young Barry (Keenan Munn-Francis) that they move in together, now that his divorce has been finalized. Back in the present, Barry admits it was the wrong decision to not move in with Morris back then. He says they can live discretely together in a bungalow in Miami. At 75, Morris claims to be comfortable with his life. Barry vows to tell Carmel after church. He briefly recalls the good times they spent together. Later, Carmel returns home with Merty (Hopi Grace), Drusilla (Llewella Gideon), and Candaisy (Doreene Blackstock). Barry has a flashback about Carmel switching off the radio because she didn’t like the song. He points out that her sugary drink is “crap.” To shut him up, she turns the radio back on. Smiling, he sends a good morning text to “Kriss.” She sends a text back saying they need to talk. Back in the present, Carmel and her friends discuss the hurricane destroying Boxes. Morris reminds Drusilla that she went to Boxes and came out with her skirt hiked up. She denies the allegation and calls him scandalous. While filling Barry’s plate, Carmel overhears Drusilla asking if he is looking forward to fresh fish in Antiqua. Barry denies planning a trip to Antiqua. Merty sarcastically suggests he is going to abandon Carmel in her time of need. Carmel claims he is afraid to fly and drops his plate on the table in front of him.

Donna Walker (Sharlene Whyte) embraces Carmel and gives Barry a stern look. Barry suggests to himself that Carmel called Donna this morning. Daniel Walker (Tahj Miles) pulls a stool up and greets him. Barry asks how school is going. Daniel says okay. Barry says it should be better as much as he pays for his tuition. He has about his plan for Uni. Donna proudly announces Daniel is going to study PPE at Oxford. The women congratulate him. He informs him that he hasn’t been accepted yet. Morris asks if he is going to study physical education at Oxford. Donna says PPE stands for Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Barry mentally calls it poli-tickery, pontification, and e-criminal-omics. He tells Daniel that he is proud of him. Maxine Walker (Tamara Lawrance) arrives and greets everyone. Seeing her outfit, Merty reminds her that vain is a sin. Maxine says so is jealousy. Carmel insists she returns whatever she borrows. Donna finds Maxine going through Carmel’s chest. They are surprised to see Carmel’s red negligée. Carmel tells them that Melissa is having a hysterectomy. Merty claims Melissa sleeps with other women. Drusilla quotes a Bible verse and calls it an abomination. Donna reminds her that God says eating shellfish is an abomination. Merty asks if she would be okay with Daniel being an “antiman.” Donna assures her that it is Daniel’s decision. Having enough, Daniel demands they not talk about him like he isn’t there and walks away. Irate, Barry scolds Merty and says Donna doesn’t need to justify herself to any of them. Drusilla tells him that it is a disease that must be diagnosed early to stop it from spreading. He accuses them of spewing damnation and bitterness. Merty asks why he is defending “Them.” Upset, Drusilla leaves. Looking at Barry, Carmel criticizes men who have affairs.

Barry vows to do it tomorrow before Morris Leaves. Carmel scolds Barry for treating her lifelong friends like monsters. She says a new regime will be put into place when she returns from Antiqua. The next morning, Carmel opens the curtains while Barry is still in bed. A short time later, he stuffs her luggage into the boot. En route to the airport, Barry tries to muster up the courage to ask for a divorce. She asks what happened to them. Young Barry says life happened. Carmelita asks if he would go with her if she asked him nicely. He shakes his head no. The episode ends.

 

Mr Loverman Synopsis

Under pressure, Barrington marries Carmelita, even though, he is in love with his best friend, Morris. At 75, he is fed up with married life and ready to pursue his relationship with Morris. Carmel and her friends are God-fearing, church-going women who don’t support homosexuality. She insists Barry is having flings with women, not giving Morris a second thought. She gives him an ultimatum, straighten up or they will go their own separate ways.

 

Mr Loverman Review

The plot is intriguing but the execution doesn’t do it justice. The script is long-winded, preachy, and at times, boring. It portrays Christians in a bad light. Religious fanatics wouldn’t dare budge from the traditional teachings of the Bible. However, open-minded Christians have long since accepted LGBTQ+, yet very few practice it.

Barry and Morris’ story is fairly common. According to the Family Pride Coalition, 20% of gay men are married to women in the United States. A 2021 Gallup poll suggested 11.4% of gay men were married to women. It would be close-minded to think the number isn’t much higher.

The series is also unfair to women. Carmel is a nagging wife, Maxine is vain, and the list goes on. Spousal abuse is unacceptable, regardless if the abuser is male or female.

The cinematography and editing are good. Lennie James is the perfect Barrington Walker. He is a stupendous actor with many notable roles under his belt.

The series provides the perfect mixture of humor and gloom. The pilot episode deserves a 5.2 out of 10.

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