As the episode begins, we see Miri (Daisy Haggard) at home. She begins listening to a tape recording featuring herself and Mandy (Christine Bottomley) singing together. During this time, we see an old newspaper article regarding Miri’s crime. It appears that she killed a policeman’s daughter. After the intro, Miri goes to the clinic and tries to get assistance. She is turned away when she is unable to show them any proof of residency. She learns and heads for the fish and chips shop. She removes the newspapers regarding her crime along the way. Nathan (Liam Williams) confirms that he got rid of some of the papers too.

He tells her to take the day off and have some fun. He suggests that she should go to the zoo. Miri meets up with her counselor Janice (Jo Martin). Janice tries to convince her that she newspapers aren’t that big of a deal. She tells Miri that she is lucky compared to many of the women she works with. She also suggests taking the day off and doing something fun like going to the zoo. Then, Miri contemplates doing something with her mother Caroline (Geraldine James). Caroline isn’t interested and tries to encourage Miri to hang out with Mandy.

Miri heads outside and speaks with Billy (Adeel Akhtar). Anna (Souad Faress) belittles Miri from the upstairs window. Billy and Miri decide to spend the day together. Meanwhile, Oscar (Richard Durden) heads to the clinic. She speaks to a woman about grandchildren before his name is called. Billy and Miri have fun at the amusement park and speak about their childhood dreams. We see that Miri is being followed by the man from the previous episode. At the doctor’s office, Oscar learns that she has chlamydia. He cannot understand it since he hasn’t had sex with anyone except Caroline and that has been a long time too.

Caroline goes to the grocery store. While there, she overhears several women talking smack about Miri. Caroline doesn’t say anything to them. Miri and Billy continue their adventure at the amusement park. They jump on the merry-go-round and have a blast. Caroline finally puts an end to her affair with Dom (Jamie Michie). She deletes his contact in her phone. Billy leaves Miri alone for a few seconds and the strange man emerges. We learn that he is an investigator and he wants to know about the murder. He tells Miri that his name is Samuel (Frank Feys). He knows that Miri has a bite on her back and that the murder victim, Lara, was very angry with Miri before she was killed.

Billy returns just in time and runs Samuel off. They leave the amusement park and head to the store together. There, Miri runs into Mandy. Both admit that they’re very lonely and it seems that their problems might be put to rest. Miri pretends she is there buying condoms for herself and her boyfriend. Mandy makes a comment about Billy knowing nothing about her past. She is eventually forced to explain the condoms to Billy. She does so by blaming everything on her parents. They leave after Miri puts the condoms back. Back in the car, Billy gives Miri a miniature merry-go-round. She confesses that she had a great time with him.

Miri enters her house and learns that Oscar is upset about the dishwasher. Billy returns to Anna and gives her the medication. Miri decides to tell Billy the truth. Surprisingly, he has something he wants to tell too. Billy confesses that he is married to Anna and Miri tells him about her time in prison. Both are equally shocked. Billy doesn’t want anything to do with Miri anymore. He begins having a panic attack. Miri explains that she did kill Lara but it was an accident. Anna shows up in the window and harasses Miri until she leaves. Caroline returns home but has forgotten the butter. Oscar tells her that he has an infection but doesn’t go any further than that.

It is clear that Oscar is very angry. He decides to go get butter for Caroline. Miri listens to the audio recording again. This time, we hear that Lara was there with them. She looks at a picture and it shows all three girls too. We see Lara at the radio dish. She is drinking alcohol and appears to be upset. Miri stops the audio tape and shows it into the garbage bin. The following day, she returns to the clinic with a letter from her probation officer. She also tells the lady behind the window to take care of one of the other patients who has been there two days in a row. The woman agrees to do exactly what Miri says this time.

 

Back To Life Review

Sometimes, I wish Back To Life would take itself a little more seriously. Nevertheless, I like it. The humor isn’t over the top and things are finally starting to unravel. It seems that every character has some deep flaws. The relationship between the parents is falling apart. Nathan’s restaurant isn’t doing well at all. Miri and Mandy have their own set of problems as well.

I am curious to know more about Lara’s death. What was she so angry about? Did it have something to do with Miri and Mandy’s relationship or a boy? I can’t wait to find out. The episode scores a 7.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Back To Life before you go!