As the episode opens, Barrington “Barry” Walker (Lennie James) believes he and Mr. Wilde would have hit it off immediately if they had ever met. Sitting in his vehicle, Barry recalls frolicking in the water with Morris De La Roux (Ariyon Bakare). In a whisper, he professes to love Morris. In another scene, an angry Larry charges at him. While putting on her makeup, Maxine Walker (Tamara Lawrence) gives herself a pep talk when Carmel Walker (Sharon D Clarke) calls complaining about Barry not loving her. Carmel tells her that she can’t take it anymore. Upon leaving, Maxine calls Barry to demand they talk this afternoon. After he acknowledges her demand, the call is disconnected. Morris arrives with coffee and donuts. Barry attributes his not telling Carmel that he wants a divorce to her dying father. Morris agrees with his decision. Carmel suggests is Carmel doesn’t give him his freedom, she will become his jailer. Morris reminds him that he has never asked her properly. Morris tells him about Maxine’s phone call. Morris says she has always had him wrapped around her finger but maybe, it is a good time for him to stand up to her. Feeling pressured, Barry asks why he can’t leave him alone. Morris accuses him of following him from Antiqua to London and pleading with him to start over. Barry denies begging him and suggests he shouldn’t have married the first woman to come along. Morris claims to have had no other option. Barry vows to tell Carmel when she returns home. Morris threatens to not have anything else to do with him if he doesn’t go through with it. Barry has a flashback of Leon’s birthday.

Maxine receives a call from Donna Walker (Sharlene Whyte) saying Carmel is upset about Barry not loving her. Maxine claims to be angry but she doesn’t want to kill him. She promises to tell Barry exactly how she feels. Donna offers to meet her, so they can talk to Barry together. Maxine says her presence will only make matters worse. Recollecting herself, Maxine goes to her important meeting. Barry and Morris take a commuter bus to a restaurant to find Maxine hasn’t arrived yet. Barry pretends to suck on a chocolate stick before adding rum to his and Morris’ drink. Maxine emerges from her meeting with a smile on her face. She receives a text from Raff (Hiroki Berrecloth) wishing her luck pitching her fashion idea. She sends him a text boasting of her success when she spots Daniel Walker (Tahj Miles) with his friends. He claims the school was dismissed early for teacher training but she doesn’t buy it. She says he gets a break because she is planning an arse-kicking for Barry who is paying his expensive tuition. He sarcastically claims Donna said Barry is financially supporting her lifestyle. She assures him that she won’t need Barry’s money much longer before leaving. Draining his glass, Morris recalls their dreams of living in a cottage by the sea. Barry insists they will get a two-bedroom house to keep Donna, Maxine, and Daniel from finding out about their relationship. Maxine greets Morris with an embrace and starts in on Barry when she remembers she didn’t each lunch. After a liquid lunch, she scolds Barry for not accompanying Carmel to Antiqua. He suggests she should have gone with Carmel. She reminds him that Carmel asked him, not her. He recalls Carmel socializing with her co-workers and not banging the Bible over their heads. She asks if he ever considered how their troubled relationship impacts her and Donna. She questions if he is a misogynist. Mentally, Barry says Maxine is the only reason he is still with Carmel. Maxine doesn’t know if she can forgive Barry if he doesn’t make it right with Carmel. She soon learns that her fashion pitch is a failure.

Trying not to cry, Maxine returns to the diner. Barry adds rum to his drink and gives it to her. She rants about her inability to get noticed in the fashion industry. He adds more rum to her drink. Morris urges her to do what she loves or by the time she is his age, she will be swimming in a sea of regrets. Taking his advice, she shows Barry her fashion portfolio. Looking at it, Barry finds himself speechless. While using the toilet, Barry says Maxine is delusional. Morris warns him against investing in Maxine’s business. Barry blames him for encouraging her to live her life. Morris gave up Odette De La Roux (Suzette Llewellyn), his sons, and his house for freedom. He says freedom comes at a cost. Barry assures him that he is still leaving Carmel. Morris asks if he will break Maxine’s heart or surrender to her. In a flashback, Teenage Donna (Teagan Imani) listens as Barry sings to Carmel’s distended abdomen. Back in the present, Barry tells Maxine that he needs time to consider her idea. When she begins to whimper, he caves. Morris smiles to himself. Elated, Donna embraces Barry and blurts out that she would like to honor him by calling it “House of Walker.” She suggests getting a taxi to The Looking Glass. Morris whispers, “Who is paying.” Barry has a flashback of holding baby Maxine (Psaint Morang) and kissing her hand. Back in the present, they hail a taxi to Soho. As the taxi pulls away, it runs over Maxine’s stretcher band that she utilizes to flip her wrist. The episode ends.

 

Mr Loverman Review

Morris, Odette, and their sons were living in London. Barry moves his family to London to be with Morris. He convinces Morris to give up his family, so they can be together. Morris is now estranged from his sons. Barry, on the other hand, stayed with Carmel because of Maxine. At 70+, he is ready to end his 50-year marriage to Carmel. He promises Morris that he will tell her when she returns from seeing her ill father. Carmel tells Donna and Maxine that Barry no longer loves her. Maxine confronts Barry and threatens to never forgive him if he doesn’t make it right with Carmel. She utilizes the opportunity to ask Barry to front her business. After seeing her designs, Morris and Barry know she doesn’t have an eye for fashion. Morris warns him against giving her money to start a business. Fearing he will lose Maxine forever, Barry caves.

 

It is a story of forbidden romance and unrequited love. Morris gave up everything to pursue a relationship with Barry. Although Barry deeply loves Morris, he refuses to risk his relationship with Maxine and remains in his loveless marriage. It’s heartbreaking to think the 70-something lovers may never get their cottage by the sea. The episode deserves a 6 out of 10.

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