The show begins with Theresa (Anna Maxwell Martin) preparing a meal for guests. Theresa’s son, Benjamin “Ben” (Fraser Holmes), plays with Eva (Amelie Bea Smith). Ben accuses Eva of cheating and pretends to shoot her with his fingers. In a flashback, she is lying in a wooden rowboat. She returns to reality when Ben asks if they can go to the park. He says Aunt Helen (Rachael Stirling) is okay with them going to the park. Her husband, Fraser (Rhashan Stone) pleads their case, saying the barbecue isn’t started yet. He tells Ben and Eva to apologize to each other and maybe Theresa will let them go to the park. With the kids gone, Fraser shows Theresa some affection and asks her to join the others outside.

Fraser’s brother, Eddie (Ken Nwosu) shows Theresa’s sister, Helen his watch. Helen congratulates him for putting in seven miles this morning, as she barely got out of bed. She says David talks about taking up running. She is amazed by Theresa’s ability to manage the cafes and Ben. Fraser’s daughter, Georgina (Tia May Watts) tells Eddie smawatches are used to harvest data. He doesn’t understand but denies being a “perv.” Theresa took over the running of cafes after her mum died. David (Peter McDonald) says Theresa has been awarded a business award. Fraser tries to convince Theresa to not go pick up Ben and Eva at the park.

Ben and Eva are not at the park when she arrives. She frantically calls Ben’s phone with no luck. She drives around while still trying to reach Ben.

Eddie plans to return to America after he spends time with Fraser and ties a few loose ends with his divorce. He likes living in America because the people care for themselves and don’t want handouts. Georgina reminds him about sleeping on her dad’s sofa. Fraser interrupts, offering his sofa to Eddie for as long as he likes.

Theresa frantically searches for Ben and Eva. She spots them standing beside a public trash bin near the woods. Eva pleads with Ben as he pulls her back to the trash bin. She says, “It’s me, Ben, no” as Theresa pulls up. She asks Ben what he is doing and why he grabbed Eva. He refuses to answer when she asks why he didn’t answer his phone. Eva asks if her mum is angry. Theresa suggests not telling her mom, Helen. She stares at the trash bin before returning to her car.

Eddie compliments Fraser and Theresa on their and questions why they constantly talk about moving. Helen interrupts, asking if he is thinking about moving. He and Theresa daydream about the countryside. Eddie describes the country as “overrated.” Theresa returns with the kids. When Helen sees the kids, her smile turns to concern. Fraser defends Eddie’s behavior, saying he has only been there a day. He never complains about their nearly living with Helen. Theresa says, “Sounds like a complaint.” She doesn’t think Eddie likes her. Fraser’s attitude changes when he is around him. When Ben needs disciplined, she expects him to be supportive. He is visibly upset as he walks away.

Next door neighbor, Jean Boyd (Jodie McNee) stops by to alert them of their son, Alex Boyd who is missing. He was last seen when he went this morning. Helen is Alex’s teacher. She recommends calling the police and volunteers to help search for him. Theresa has a flashback of Eva and Ben at the trash bin. They split up into teams, one vehicle goes to the right, the other to the left.

Fraser repeats Jean, “They thought that Alex had gone out.” He questions if Jean positively knew Alex went out. David tells Helen he never mentioned taking up running. She reminds him that a child is missing before defending her comment. He questions if she wants him to take up running. She doesn’t care. Fraser apologizes for undermining her with Ben. In return, she apologizes for what she said about Eddie. David calls Eddie a “twat” and says he is nothing like Fraser. He asks if she noticed that Theresa seemed a bit off. She responds, “She seemed fine.” Fraser tells Teresa that Helen drowns and pities her. He hates how she disappears when Helen is around. Helen loves her more than anyone else in the world. Fraser’s response is “Wow!”

Theresa is looking out the window when Helen arrives. David is putting Eva to bed. She describes Alex’s missing as a “nightmare.” School officials will make an announcement tomorrow. Fraser suggests a student may know something about Alex’s location. Eddie says Hollington Drive is the perfect place for pedophiles. It is quiet with plenty of kids around. Helen reminds him that it could have been one of their kids. Police arrive at Alex’s house.

Theresa is tidying up in Ben’s room when he receives a text. He has three text messages, regarding a picture. An altered image of a female in a bikini, with Alex’s head and the hashtag “#Alex_Ladyboyd is stored in his phone. Ben says the image is just a joke. She reminds him that Alex is missing and his parents are terrified. He denies seeing him. When she asks again, he raises and voice, “We didn’t see him, why do you always think I’ve done something, I haven’t done anything.” She keeps his phone.

Helen is cleaning up in the kitchen. She says Eddie mentioned they were leaving Hollington Drive.  She admits, they talk about leaving in the future and denies being unhappy. She tells her about finding Ben and Eva near the woods and shows her the image from Ben’s phone. Helen shakes it off as being not that uncommon. Eva and Ben are incapable of doing anything to Alex. She describes Ben’s behavior as being “normal.” Theresa apologizes before Helen leaves for home. Theresa is in Ben’s bedroom when she has a flashback of someone covering her face with their hands. She looks around the room terrified.

Theresa drives back to the woods, where she found Eva and Ben. She inspects the trash bin when a police car is spotted at an intersection a few feet away. She hurries to her car.

At home, Fraser suggests taking Alex’s parents some leftover barbecue. She doesn’t like the idea. He thinks it is what neighbors are supposed to do. Ben unexpectedly leaves the table. She agrees to visit the Boyd’s.

Helen and Eva are heading to school. David will pick Eva up after school. She asks if she saw Alex when they were at the park. Eva says no.

At school, Helen holds an emergency meeting to alert the students about Alex. She encourages the students to report any suspicious activity or people and tell their parents where they are going. The students are encouraged to not keep anything to themselves. Eva and Ben look at each other.

Fraser and Theresa ring the Boyd’s doorbell. Alex’s father, Gareth (Jonas Armstrong) answers the door and invites them in. Fraser comments on Gareth’s handmade insects carved from wood. Milena told Jean, 12 pedophiles live nearby. Her husband installs Internet in residential establishments. An upset Theresa rushes to the toilet when Jean sobs. She visits Alex’s bedroom before returning downstairs.

Teacher, Stephanie Greenford (Elena Gyasi) visits Helen’s office to talk about Alex. She feels bad for not speaking up before. Alex was angry, distant, and hungry at times. He had small bruises on his body. Helen opens her laptop to a page with Gareth’s name.

Ben walks in as Fraser and Theresa watch the press conference on TV. He stays a few minutes before running away.

Helen visit’s the Boyd’s. Gareth invites her in while Jean is away. He places her hand on his face and they begin to kiss.

Helen has a flashback while exercising. When she walks into the house, Stephanie is trying to convince Fraser to let her go to town. She angrily walks away and slams the door behind her. Theresa agrees to talk to her. She refuses Theresa’s offer to drive her to a friend’s. She believes Fraser is taking his guilt out on her. She asks if Alexa and Ben were friends because he has been upset. They are classmates. Theresa refuses her offer to talk to Ben.

Fraser thanks Theresa for talking to Georgina. She describes her as being kind, articulate, and mature. He should be proud of her. She is concerned about Ben’s bad behavior and his father leaving. Fraser contributes his behavior to being 10. The blender noise causes a flashback of hands aggressively over her mouth. Fraser is stunned when Theresa says Ben’s father did not leave. She never knew him. Ben is the result of a sexual assault at a party. She woke up in the hospital. He was a sweet baby, but as he gets older, she becomes more concerned about his behavior. He thinks adopting Ben would help him. He makes an oath to never leave. A doctor would make him feel broken. She breaks down and needs to think about it.

Helen and Gareth get dressed. The doorbell rings, she rushes into the bathroom. Someone tells Gareth about a development in Alex’s disappearance. He asks what happened.

Fraser and Theresa are watching a news segment about Alex. Police have blocked off an area in the landfill, where his cellphone was discovered. Theresa has a flashback of Eva and ben near the woods. Something is dropped into the trash bin. She visits Ben’s room to tell him about Alex’s mobile phone. If Eva and Ben threw the phone into the trash bin, the police will find out. She demands to know what he has done. He looks away, refusing to answer as the episode comes to an end.

 

Hollington Drive Review

The show leans toward borderline madness, making it unsuitable for the faint at heart. Viewers can expect to be on the edge of their seats just waiting for the next terrible revelation.

Anna Maxwell Martin seems to gravitate toward bleak roles, so it is no surprise, she agreed to join the Hollington Drive cast. As a big fan of Peter McDonald (Moone Boy), his limited screen time is disappointing.

Everything about the show says dysfunctional. The only character that seems remotely normal is Stephanie. With fewer episodes, the events leading up to Alex’s disappearance will be revealed sooner than later. We hope so anyway. The episode deserves a 7.

Get more Hollington Drive recaps here.