Ep 5. 1974

Our Friends in the North is a critically acclaimed British TV series that aired in the mid-90s. Set in Newcastle upon Tyne, the show spans four decades, following the lives of four friends as they navigate the political, social, and personal changes of the times. The series is divided into nine episodes, each representing a specific year, with this episode representing 1974.

Episode 5, "1974", sees the fallout of Joe's decision to join the Communist Party. Nicky, who has been in love with Joe for years, struggles to come to terms with his new radical politics, which puts him increasingly at odds with their other friend, Geordie. Meanwhile, Mary, the fourth member of the group, is trying to build a new life in London, where she is becoming involved in feminist politics.

The episode captures the mood of the time, with the country in the grip of a series of political crises. A miner's strike is causing widespread disruption, and the government is in disarray. Joe and his fellow Communist activists are running a soup kitchen for the striking miners, but their activities bring them into conflict with the police, who are determined to crack down on the protestors.

Against this backdrop, the episode explores the personal lives of the characters. Nicky and Joe's relationship is strained, with Nicky feeling increasingly resentful of Joe's new political allegiances. Joe, for his part, is struggling to balance his activism with his job and his relationship with Nicky. They argue about the merits of communism and socialism, with Nicky arguing that Joe has abandoned the working-class values they both grew up with.

Geordie, meanwhile, is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Labour Party and its leader, Harold Wilson. He feels that the party has lost its way and is no longer representative of its working-class base. His frustrations reach a boiling point when he is passed over for a promotion at work in favour of a younger, less experienced colleague.

Mary, on the other hand, is thriving in London, where she is becoming involved in the women's liberation movement. She attends a feminist consciousness-raising group and starts to question the patriarchal norms of society. She is also having an affair with a married man, which puts her at odds with her feminist friends who disapprove of her involvement with a man who is not her equal.

Throughout the episode, the characters are struggling to find their place in a world that seems to be changing at an ever-increasing pace. They are grappling with questions of identity, politics, and personal relationships, as they try to navigate a society that is becoming increasingly divided.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Joe and Nicky's relationship at breaking point, Geordie feeling increasingly alienated from his colleagues, and Mary facing a potential crisis in her personal life. As the series moves into the second half of the 1970s, it is clear that the friends will face even greater challenges as they try to find their way in a world that is becoming ever more complex and divided.

Overall, "1974" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of Our Friends in the North, capturing the mood of the times and exploring the personal struggles of the characters in a nuanced and insightful way. The series as a whole has been praised for its brilliant performances and its nuanced portrayal of the changing social and political landscape of the UK, and this episode is no exception. It stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of personal relationships and political engagement in a time of great social upheaval.