As the first episode of Mayflies begins, Tully (Tony Curran) thinks back to his youth. James Collins (Martin Compston) speaks to a small group about his book. As Jimmy leaves, Tully texts him to see if he can talk. He gets home and learns Iona is in the bath. Tully calls Noodles to tell him he needs to see him. He asks him to meet him at the caravan tomorrow afternoon, but he won’t tell him what it is about. As Jimmy drives to the caravan, he remembers hanging out with Tully and his other friends when he was younger. Once he arrives, Tully reveals he stopped in Saltcoats and got them a bottle.
He was worried they wouldn’t have time to finish it because he is screwed. Tully explains he was on holiday with Anna (Ashley Jensen) in Cuba a few months ago and he was hiccupping a lot. He didn’t tell Anna he had been in pain for months. Tully explains he got a scan at the doctors and found out that he has cancer of the esophagus, liver, stomach, and lymph nodes. When Jimmy is told he has four months, he doesn’t want to believe it. Tully admits he sounds like Anna who wants him to have chemo. Jimmy argues he can’t just check out because he has responsibilities to them, his family, and the people he loves.
Tully wants to do this his way and he doesn’t want to die like a prick. Jimmy repeats his quote, “Make death proud to take us”. Tully confirms it was hard telling Fiona and the kids, but he hasn’t told Barbara and he doesn’t plan to. Tully offers to take him to see Barbara (Elaine Smith) who will be having her tea. As they walk together, Tully tells Jimmy they’re selling Barbara’s house to pay for the home. He reminds Jimmy he doesn’t want her to know as they get closer. Angela hasn’t been able to get Barbara to eat her vegetables so she thought Tully might be able to do it. Barbara finally seems to remember Jimmy. In a flashback, a young Barbara (Charlene Boyd) asks Noodles about his mom and dad.
He tells her that his dad has gone to find himself and he is living separately from his mom now. Fiona joins them before Barbara says she is making Jimmy’s broth. Ewan complains when he gets home and sees Jimmy there, but Barbara says he can come any time he wants. In the present, Jimmy learns that Barbara has been like that for a while once they leave. They stop so Tully can have a cigarette since that nag has bolted. They talk about the school which was the start of Jimmy’s great escape. In a flashback, he goes into the school to tell Miss O’Connor that things are desperate. She reminds him that he has read more books than she has. She also remembers that he mentioned Edith Sitwell the other day.
No one in the history of the school has ever mentioned her. She urges him to go to university although James isn’t sure he can do that. In the present, Tully and Jimmy talk about how Miss O’Connor helped him. Tully thinks he is a weirdo, but he admits everyone is weird. When asked if the boys know yet, Tully says no. He isn’t ready for the onslaught of sentiment yet. Tully reminds him he is his campaign manager so he can tell them. Jimmy doesn’t want to do it because he wouldn’t know what to say. They go to a restaurant for something to eat. They discuss Tully getting married and leaving Anna a widow. Jimmy learns that the chemo may give him seven months.
Tully says this is going to get bad. When it does, he wants to go to Switzerland for the Hitler chow-down. He wants to go to Switzerland to end it himself and he wants Jimmy to sort it out for him. Jimmy gets upset because he doesn’t want to help him. Later, Jimmy phones Iona and tells her that Tully has terminal cancer and wants him to plan their wedding. He joins Tully in the caravan to watch a film since he wants everything to be normal. When he goes inside, he finds Tully sleeping so he covers him with a blanket. In a flashback, Tully and Jimmy talk about Robert De Niro and whether he is a family man. Jimmy says he wants to divorce his parents again. Later, Anna tries to force Tully to drink a blueberry shake.
She isn’t going to let him die without a battle that involves the intervention of an electrical appliance. Tully lets them know that Jimmy isn’t going back because they have things to do first. When he tells her about the big wedding day, Anna asks why he didn’t think about asking her. She tells him to have the chemo and she’ll think about it. Tully agrees. Later that night, Anna and Jimmy talk about Tully and his appearance. Jimmy insists the wedding was Tully’s idea, but he is willing to pay for it. He pleads with her to let him do it because he is losing Tully too. They discuss the chemo. After Anna asks what Jimmy said to get him to do it, Jimmy admits he told him he’d have more time with her.
After that, Jimmy finds that Iona has visited while Tully goes to the clinic for chemo. The doctor tells him that the chemo should help him stay around for a bit longer. Jimmy meets with Tibbs to tell him about it. Tibbs (Cal MacAninch) thinks they should take it as it comes, rally, and let Tully be himself. They’ll do for Tully what they should’ve done for Limbo. Once the meeting ends, Jimmy makes out Switzerland in his notebook. Tully attempts to recover from the aftermath of the chemo. He gets up later and finds Anna and Jimmy sitting together. Anna urges him to go back to bed, but Tully isn’t keen on doing that. Tully gets mad at the delivery man and the air purifier. He reminds Anna that he is dying and wishes they’d just let him get on with it.
He tries to smooth things over. Jimmy gives another speech. He talks about war and how all wars are a catastrophe. After the speech, he talks to Fiona about the chemo and how he used to hang around their house. Fiona doesn’t think he should’ve asked Jimmy to take him to Switzerland without telling Anna. Although he said no, Jimmy feels bad because he told his best friend no. Fiona explains that Anna wants him to go inside a hospice. Jimmy thinks Fiona doesn’t want him to go to Switzerland either. She reveals Tully is frightened he’ll end up gasping like Woodbine. If that is his choice, they’ll stand by it. Anna tells Iona she resents that Jimmy got all this time with Tully and she won’t.
Anna is convinced that the wedding was Jimmy’s idea. She knows Tully doesn’t want to fuss so she is grateful that Jimmy suggested it. The chemo could give him another year or two and she’d settle for that. She begins planning the wedding. Anna thanks Jimmy for this and says it is everything. He admits they’ve always relied on each other. When they get home, they find Tully hyped up, listening to music, and dancing around. At the pub, Jimmy and Tully talk about how the place has changed. Tully says Woodbine took his shame out on them. Jimmy says his dad did the same. At home, Iona says she can’t believe Anna is going along with Switzerland only to find out from Jimmy that she doesn’t know.
She warns him that he could get arrested and he might not like how he feels once it is over. Iona doesn’t think he can do it because Anna will never forgive them. Jimmy says her heart will be broken either way and Tully would do it for him without hesitation. Iona is still convinced that he can’t do it. Jimmy admits he said no. In a flashback, young Jimmy tells Tully he is getting out. He thanks him and Barbara for letting him stay and forcing him to study. He goes to Mrs. O’Connor to tell her as well. Jimmy tells her that Edith Sitwell had two brothers named Osbert and Sacheverell. Later, Tully runs up to him to say they’re going to celebrate his great escape. They meet up with the others and go on a trip. As they ride the bus, Jimmy tells Tully this won’t be their last big weekend.
Jimmy, Tibbs, and Tully arrive at the wedding venue. Jimmy tells Iona that this is going to be hard. Before the wedding ceremony begins, Tully begins having problems. Jimmy thought he said he was fine, but Tully says that is what he wanted him to say. He insists this isn’t getting better any time soon no matter how much he and Anna wish it. Jimmy speaks to the crowd. He thanks Tully and Anna who puts up with everyone’s nonsense. Tibbs and Jimmy talk outside while admitting it is weird that Limbo isn’t there. Tibbs thinks about him a lot. He argues that no one should die alone. They’re surprised when Hogg shows up. Tibbs takes him inside when Tully comes out. Tully asks Jimmy if he ever misses Iona when she is on tour.
It’ll be them doing all the missing. Tully thanks him for today and says he won’t forget it for as long as he lives. He promises that Switzerland won’t change anything between them because Fiona said it was asking too much of him. When Jimmy questions why he asked him, Tully reveals he needed him to say it was okay. Jimmy writes Switzerland on his arm before showing it to Tully.
Mayflies Review
The opening episode of Mayflies couldn’t have gone any better even though the subject material is downright bleak. In fact, the story might be too hard-hitting for some viewers, especially around the holidays. Viewers capable of stomaching the sadness may very well be rewarded in the end although they may have to wipe away tears.
The story is driven by the unfaltering relationship between Jimmy and Tully who reveals he has terminal cancer and could pass away within months. Jimmy feels indebted to his friend and will do almost anything he asks, but he struggles with the idea of taking Tully to Switzerland so he can die on his own terms. The addition of Tully’s new wife, Anna, makes the decision even harder for Jimmy.
The series is superbly acting with authentic performances from Tony Curran and Martin Compston. The only potential downside is the soundtrack which is a bit too loud at points, but that is easy enough to overlook. The episode was effectively moody leaving viewers feeling as if something emotionally devastating was right around the corner.
After finishing the first episode, it’ll be hard for viewers to wait for the next because the show draws you in and forces you to care about the characters. The opening episode scores an 8 out of 10. Recaps of Mayflies will be available on Reel Mockery here. We’re an independent entertainment site and depend on our visitors. If you’d like to support us or advertise with us, click here to find out how to get in touch.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
