As this episode of Mix Tape begins, Daniel (Jim Sturgess) gets a call from Katja (Sara Soulie). She heard that he’s in New York, but Daniel claims he’s not. He says he’s in Sydney. Daniel has spoken to some publishers about the book idea and they love it. They’ve offered to let him live there for a while. Daniel thought this would be some good news for them. Katja reminds him that she asked him to come to the States with her for a few weeks. She asks why he’s in Sydney. Daniel says he couldn’t get a direct flight to New Zealand. He really thought she’d be happy about this. Kat curses him before ending the call. Alison (Teresa Palmer) looks at her messages. She talks to Cass (Chika Ikogwe) about going to England. Alison reminds her that she said she wasn’t sure about England. She tells Cass that she doesn’t get in. In a flashback, Alison rushes in to help Peter (Conor Sanchez) who has tried to kill himself.
Martin Baxter (Jonathan Harden) enters the room and holds Peter up so Alison can grab a knife. Downstairs, Catherine (Siobhan O’Kelly) finds out what is going on. Alison manages to cut the rope and save Peter’s life with Martin’s help. Catherine yells for Alison to get an ambulance. In the present, Cass has to comfort Alison. In a flashback, Alison sits with Peter in the hospital. Catherine tells Alison what the doctor said. She admits she couldn’t understand a word she was saying. Alison gets upset and complains that her mother picked Martin over her own son. At home, Daniel (Rory Walton-Smith) speaks to Marian (Helen Behan) about not going out. Marian reminds him that his girlfriend didn’t come to the gig thing and she hasn’t shown her face since. She tells Daniel to have some pride. In the present, Daniel messages Kat to say they need to talk. Then, he messages Alison to say he’s in Sydney. Alison gets the message as well as Daniel’s number.
She asks where he is in Sydney. In a flashback, Daniel catches up with Alison and asks why she blew him off. Alison apologizes for missing the gig. Daniel believes she’s shutting him out. He’s going to make her talk to him when she’s ready. Daniel is adamant that he’s not going anywhere. Alison tells Daniel she loves him. Daniel says the same. In the present, Alison meets Daniel. After a hug, they sit down. Daniel mentions Alison running off previously before apologizing. They order drinks. Daniel tells Alison about Kat and his children. He admits he never did the American trip to see all the bands. Eventually, Alison asks for the bill. Daniel asks if they should talk. Alison thought that’s what they were doing. Daniel says she was there one minute and then she wasn’t. Alison reminds him that was so long ago. He asks if she can tell him what happened after all these years. Alison says that part of her life is over. Daniel asks what she thought they would talk about.
Alison argues this was just an opportunity to catch up. Daniel thinks they were more than just friends. Alison leaves a short time later. In a flashback, Peter and Alison hang out after he is released from the hospital. Alison doesn’t believe Peter should stick around, but he says he’s not going anywhere. Peter has opened a savings account for Alison. He wants her to get out of there. Alison refuses to leave without him. She says half the men are getting into the army and he could get out of there too. Alison runs into Catherine and Martin when she goes for food. Catherine refuses to go with Martin after he ran around saying things about her son. Martin argues he saved Peter who couldn’t even hang himself properly. He tells Catherine he’ll see her later and she’ll apologize to him. Catherine tells Alison to go because she feels like celebrating. In the present, Alison overhears Michael (Ben Lawson) arguing with Cass. Michael says he told Cass that Alison wasn’t eager to go to England.
He told Cass she wouldn’t ask her to go if she cared about her. Cass tells Alison to call her when she makes up her mind about going. She leaves. Alison and Michael talk about Cass and other things. Alison complains he always makes the point that they don’t need money. Michael tells her she’s being stupid. Alison gets upset and leaves. She calls Daniel and leaves a message to apologize. She also tries to meet him. Alison picks him up a short time later. She asks him to stay a little longer since he was going to catch the next flight. Daniel says he will if she wants him to. They listen to music in the car. Alison calls her daughter to make sure she’ll be okay alone for a couple of days. Sheila (Jacqueline McKenzie) comes outside to say hello to Alison and Daniel. Later, Alison questions whether Sheila is going to ask. Sheila says it’s none of her business. They talk about Stella (Julia Savage) and Daniel. Sheila says she likes his face. Daniel and Alison go for a walk. Alison believes she owes him an explanation.
They talk about Michael briefly. Alison asks if they have to talk about it. Daniel asks if she left because Peter joined the army. He went to her house afterward and saw what she was dealing with. Daniel thought she just got out of Dodge. He admits it hurt that she couldn’t talk to him about it. Alison didn’t leave because of that. She left so Peter would join the army. In a flashback, Alison hears a knock at the door. When she opens it, Martin forces his way in. When he learns that Catherine isn’t home, Martin says she better not be with another guy. He won’t say anything else about it if Catherine apologizes. Martin suspects Peter is in Alison’s room. He suggests they have a cuppa. Martin asks about her tapes. He warns Alison that she can’t protect Peter and that his life will be hell. Martin claims Alison’s whole family owes him. He grabs her and rapes her. In the present, Alison tells Daniel she couldn’t even speak. She didn’t tell anyone about it.
Alison says she left that night because she had to go. Later, Daniel gets upset and screams while he’s alone. Then, he hangs out with Sheila and Alison. Sheila reveals that she was a lesbian. It was tough in Sheffield, but there was no one to bother her in Australia. Sheila mentions that the bed in Alison’s room is a double. She goes to bed moments later. Alison and Daniel stay up. Daniel asks Alison if she ever told Peter what happened. She believes it would’ve killed him. Alison went through all that on her own. Daniel says he sees that now. He wants to kill Martin too. Alison approaches Daniel in the middle of the night. She ends up joining him in bed. They cuddle. In the morning, Daniel wakes up and he’s alone. He gets up and joins Alison in the kitchen for coffee. Alison doesn’t have a plan, but she thinks she should get back. They talk about Michael. Alison thinks Daniel is separated, but he tells her that he’s not. He explains that his wife is in America working. Alison seems upset about that after sleeping in Daniel’s arms. She admits she thought Daniel came there for her.
Daniel says he did and he came for answers. Alison asks if he’s done now that he’s got his answers. She admits she’s never told anyone what happened to her. It’s caused a mess to the point that she barely talks to Peter now. Daniel insists it matters. He wishes she had told him years ago. Alison points out that he never replied to her letters. When Daniel messaged her, she realized she couldn’t remember the last time she smiled properly just for herself. She knows it’s crazy, but she thought about what it would be like if they had built a family. Alison asks how he thought this would play out. Daniel says he doesn’t know because he didn’t think. He just came across her book and knew he wanted to get in touch. Daniel steps away to collect himself. Alison questions what she’s doing. She steps outside to find Michael confronting Daniel who tries to cover for her. Michael approaches Alison and says it’s time to go home. Michael tells Alison he’s dying from the shame of this and asks her to come home.
Alison gets her stuff and leaves. She tells Daniel that they’re both married like he said. When they’re alone, Sheila admits she doesn’t like Michael. She thinks Alison needs time and Daniel might as well. In the car, Alison swears to Michael that nothing happened. Michael suggests she ran away and he saved her. He says she was looking for someone to take care of her. Michael claims she’s always a runner. Alison learns that Michael followed her previously. Michael admits he tracked her phone and he’s lucky he did. Daniel returns and speaks to Duncan (Alexis Rodney) about New Zealand. Duncan admits his girl left, but he thinks she’ll be back. Daniel tells him he needs to grow up. Duncan asks where Kat is. Daniel insists they’re fine. When Daniel goes for another pint, he finds out that he has a voicemail from Alison. She says she hates the way they left things. Alison doesn’t want to run from the past. She is there if he wants to talk more.
Daniel gets more drinks. He thinks about the voicemail message from Alison. Later, Daniel returns home and finds Kat. They hug. They’re not very close when they go to bed together. Daniel blocks Alison from his phone.
Mix Tape Review
The third episode of Mix Tape was okay although a little drawn-out and even predictable at times. The constant jumping from the past to the present can get old and it often bogs down the story. Alison and Daniel seem to have a lot more chemistry in the past scenes, but that doesn’t always translate to the present.
Ultimately, this likely didn’t need to be four episodes. If they had cut back on the filler and timed things better, they could’ve easily gotten to the point in two episodes. It’s hard to find a show that tries to take these subjects seriously so that’s definitely a plus. It’s just a shame that the story doesn’t hit the target more often.
It’s a bit too scattered for its own good. This episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Mix Tape can be found here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Join the discussion and see what others are saying at the forum.
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.