As the episode opens, Andrew (Michael Sheen) reluctantly rises from bed at 4:03am. Fully dressed, he opens the door to find Frank (Gary Beadle) waiting on him in a car. Nicci (Sharon Horgan) and Katie (Alison Oliver) are being bombarded by reporters. Approaching the entrance, Nicci makes eye contact with Andrew.

7 Months Earlier –  Andrew and Nicci tease each other while playing cards. She invites him into the restroom where they get intimate. They arrive home to discover Marnie (Niamh Moriarty) is feeling under the weather. Andrew thanks Frank for taking care of the girls while he and Nicci went on holiday. While Nicci tucks in Marnie, she asks about his stinky socks. He admits to drying them on the radiator to avoid paying a €3 laundry fee. She reminds him of his promise to be “romantic.” He assures her his stinky socks didn’t weaken the romance. He repeatedly tells her that he loves her before leaving her with a book.

Andrew enjoys music and a smoke when a frantic Nicci calls him to Marnie’s room. She announces her temperature is spiking while they wait on the ambulance. The ambulance crew rush her into the hospital on a gurney. While waiting in the reception area, he has a flashback of Dr. Sendak diagnosing infant Marnie with muscular dystrophy. He warns she will not have a normal life. Andrew suggests a second opinion. Sendak assures them that her life will be “beautiful” but different. Back to the present, Samantha (Noma Dumezweni) informs them of Marnie is receiving mechanical ventilation. Extubation may be complicated due to existing lung damage. Nicci says it is her fault for going on holiday.

Andrew assures Nicci their holiday did not contribute to Marnie’s severe lunch infection. In a flashback, Nicci and Andrew mimic astronauts on a mission. Marnie jokingly calls them “idiots.”

Nicci invites Katie for an outing this weekend. Katie reminds her that she has an orchestra event. Admitting it slipped her mind, Nicci shows the event marked on her calendar. Katie says it isn’t necessary for her to attend.

After speaking with Gladys (Buffy Davis) about books, Nicci encounters Mercy Babayaro (Chizzy Akudolu) who informs her of Marnie’s condition. She says Samantha requests a meeting with her and Andrew at 4pm. While Marnie is in a medically induced coma, Nicci brushes her hair.

Samantha tells Andrew and Nicci that Marnie’s lung infection is more serious than ever before. Andrew asks if they can give them an idea of when Marnie will be going home. She suggests a care plan in the event Marnie is unable to breathe on her own. She points out that Marnie’s lung infections are becoming more severe with each bout. She adds that Marnie doesn’t fully recover. Andrew assures her that Marnie is a “fighter.” She reminds them of Marnie receiving mechanical ventilation six times which is not a pleasant experience for her. Nicci suggests a tracheotomy. Samantha says Marnie may not be a good candidate for a tracheostomy due to the condition of her lungs. Andrew says many children are living at home with tracheotomies.

Palliative Care Dr. Jeremy Nescott (Jonathan Rhodes) promises to keep Marnie comfortable. Nicci tells them that Marnie is so very much alive. Samantha says Marnie’s body is failing her. Nicci suggests experimental treatments. Samantha assures her medical intervention would do little if anything to improve her life expectancy. Nicci demands to know when Marnie can go home. Samantha says they will know more in a few days, even if it is possible.

In a flashback, Marnie speeds across the sidewalk in an electric scooter. An excited but concerned Nicci pleads with her to be careful. Back to the present, Nicci refuses to leave the hospital until Marnie is released. Andrew reminds her of how many times the medical staff saved her. Nicci demands another physician for Marnie. He suggests they go home to speak with Katie but she refuses. They promise to fight for her no matter what. Katie asks Andrew if Marnie is going to die. He says, “She has been dying for a long time.” When she asks if it is happening now, he pleads with her to not pressure him to talk about it now.

In a flashback, Nicci informs young Katie (Billie Gadsdon) of Marnie’s declining condition. Back to the present, Nicci tells her that the medical staff at the hospital want to end Marnie’s treatment. Katie suggests she get some sleep. Nicci seeks reassurance from her that Marnie will be all right.

Katie rides her bike to meet Hannah (Mica Ricketts). In a flashback, young Katie gifts infant Marnie some of her toys after introducing each of them. Back to the present, Hannah gives Katie a “Grey Death” pill, a clonazepam from her mum’s stash. They discuss Marnie’s condition. Hannah asks if she will let Marnie go. Katie questions why to let someone die who “laughs.” Hannah says when the person is in pain. They get intimate.

Anxious, Andrew tells Katie that Marnie had a relapse. She demands to accompany him to the hospital. On the ride, he comments on her smelling like cigarettes. Nicci, Katie, and Andrew watch as Marnie is being resuscitated. Resuscitation is put on hold to check for a pulse. When no pulse is detected, resuscitation resumes. Samantha informs them that Marnie suffered a heart attack related to a collapsed lung. Nicci demands she not let Marnie die. Samantha says it was an extensive effort to make her stable but brain damage is a high probability. Nicci pleads with her to help her. When Katie broaches Marnie’s condition, Andrew quickly changes the subject to “crisps.” Marnie’s father, Eddie (Des McAleer) stops by with food.

In a flashback, young Katie and young Marnie (Daisy Lemon/Poppy Lemmon), in her electric scooter, dance to a song. Back to the present, Nicci arrives home to find Katie watching Marnie’s shows. Andrew places a stuffed animal in the bed with Marnie. While reading an “Adrian Mole” novel, he breaks down sobbing. Nicci warns him that Marnie can hear him. Holding her hand, Nicci feels her move. She assures him that Marnie’s condition will improve.

A noisy reporter (Lee Lomas) asks Nicci what she would tell mothers in her situation. She assures him there would be no reason to say anything because they would understand. She publically accuses people in power of trying to cheat parents in her situation out of their children’s needs. She says Marnie should live, against what the hospital wants. She looks over to see Andrew as the end comes to a close.

 

Best Interests Cast

• Andrew (Michael Sheen)
• Katie (Alison Oliver)
• Marnie (Niamh Moriarty)
• Nicci (Sharon Horgan)
• Frank (Gary Beadle)
• Alice (Melissa Collier)
• Young Marnie (Poppy Lemon/Daisy Lemon)
• Young Katie (Billie Gadson)
• Gladys (Buffy Davis)
• Brian (John Burton)
• Chizzy Akudolu (Mercy Babayaro)

Where Was Best Interests Filmed

Filming locations include Cleeve Hill and London.

Where To Watch Best Interests

Best Interests, produced by Michael Keillor) premiered on Monday, June 12, 2023, on BBC.

Best Interests Review

While the plot is heartbreaking and troublesome for parents of chronically ill children, the show is a mess. The cinematography, more specifically, the editing is subpar. Flashbacks are easily confused for the present. The transition from flashback to present is without warning.

The writing is nothing to “write home about.” No pun intended! The script doesn’t stick to the plot. Some scenes are terribly irrelevant. Staying on plot and more obvious, informative flashbacks would’ve produced a story that flows.

The acting is superb. The screenplay focuses on the parent’s struggle to keep Marnie alive, leaving little screen time for Niamh Moriarty to display her acting abilities. For what it’s worth, the young actresses did a fabulously bringing their characters to life.

The writer should be commended for showing how difficult it is to have a chronically ill sibling. Selfless, Katie’s feelings and needs are always put on the backburner.

The show deserves a 6.5. Get more Best Interests recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Learn more about our onsite advertising by speaking to a customer support agent.