When The Boat Comes In - Series 1 (DVD 2003)

"Jessie Seaton, Jessie Seaton, why didn't I marry you when I had the chance?"
Well these words did not appear in series one, so I will have to get series 2.
The truth is that James Bolam who played Jack Ford did marry Susan Jameson who played Jessie Seaton in real life, and the chemistry between them is evident. As they are still acting together in "New Tricks" and still married, I think it to be one of the great romances of the small screen. Set in Newcastle, When the boat comes in is a forerunner of the other great Tyneside drama "Our friends in the North" and the plot of the latter reveals many similarities. I am not a Geordie, but I spent many happy years there, and the story line demonstrates important facets of the character of the North East. True Grit, strong male and female characters, hardship and adversity anfd the struggle for a fair deal through socialism and solidarity with the working class. Through the series all of these characteristics are tried and each character is found wanting. Jack is both saint and sinner and betrays his working class roots, although in this series engineers to become a socialist hero, Jessie is proud and vindictive, Mrs Seaton takes to drink, The patriarchal Father becomes more bitter following a pit accident. Jessie Seaton's brother is shown the key to salvation via ther medical school, but is callow and confused about his own roots. Yet there is dignity in poverty and their collective wit enables them to prosper in the depression.
Why buy this collection? Because it is good television. There may not be a great novel about Newcastle but you are spoiled for choice when it comes to films, TV dramas and comedy shows.