Whenever these youngsters aren't saying "La!" obnoxiously, it's a really good drama. I could see Lydia West becoming a huge star.

Considering the subject matter and how irritating the characters seem at first, it's credit to the writing that not only did I stick it out but actually found this to be a commendably immersive mini-series. A story that spans the '80s gay scene, you're taken back to a different time when AIDS was as new and mysterious as Covid is now, and attitudes were just as polarised and ignorant. The final episode is a bit 'soapy' but never shies away from the harsh realities of the era and the people.

It doesn’t break much ground that previous films haven’t, but the format of a limited series does allow the characters to feel more fleshed out, and the one by one losses to carry more weight. Similar in feel to Davies’ other series, which I’d say is a good thing. Also props for HBO making limited series that don’t stretch the plot out to 10+ episodes.

Wow! This is Landmark TV. The family portrait around which the drama hangs is both inevitable, authentic and gut-wrenching. Recommended.