Amanda is still determined to be liked by others and fit in with the new parent crowd (how the show has replaced talks at the gate with chats at the side of the football field is very clever). Interactions with new neighbours, friends (wonderful to see Phillippa Dunne and Joanna Lumley return), colleges and a love interests at football and trips away are very enjoyable to watch but at times can feel a bit gimmicky. But I don’t mind this as it only adds to the comedy. The structure of the show and type of episodes is very similar to motherland and I think this works very well as it appeals to old fans while drawing in new watchers too.
It is very entertaining, well made and some brilliant acting from the cast, but it doesn’t quite have the same appeal as motherland does. The ensemble cast at times feel more like filler characters rather than fully fledged people, but towards the end of the series, I don’t feel like this is the case as we get to know and interact with characters such as Della, JJ as Mal more.
One of the things I liked the most about the show is how much more of a fleshed-out person Amanda is. It is abundantly clear that she has been under tremendous pressure her whole life to look, and be perceived, a certain way from her mum Felicity and this made her neglect other parts of her life, such as her education. Seeing her break down mid-series and cry in front of her mum and daughter gives her a lot more substance and is quite sad to see.
It is very entertaining, well made and some brilliant acting from the cast, but it doesn’t quite have the same appeal as motherland does.
We see a woman a far cry from the perfect, put-together woman from Motherland. Seeing her struggle through work, relationships etc. (and also be so much funnier) is strange to see but it only made me like her more. She is still the same slightly selfish person, but we see more likeable sides to her.
Overall, I think the series is really good and speaks for itself but I would recommend watching motherland first so you can better understand Amanda and I really hope there is a series 2 so I can see herself and Mal get together.