★★★★★
Channel 4’s Big Boys has captivated audiences since its debut in 2022, and its concluding season depicts the chaos of the third year at university, particularly with a looming “disso” hanging over your head, as Jules would put it. But the ‘disso’ isn’t the only thing looming. This season protagonist Danny (Jon Pointing) struggles to navigate the grief of his Nan and becomes more withdrawn from his friends who try to look out for him.
The sitcom’s finale opens with a panoramic view of Margate and for the first time ever, we are greeted by Big Boys’ writer and director Jack Rooke, who plays an older version of Jack – Danny’s best friend. Sitting idyllically on the isolated wooden bench, Jack feels a Danny-shaped presence near him, a presence he hasn’t felt in years. They crack a beer open and reminisce on post-grad life; a life that Danny never got to feel.
A Bittersweet Farewell
The writing remains impeccable; Rooke has an incredible ability to intertwine humour and sadness. Whilst Danny reflects on what life could have been, Jack reminds him of how he is still “so present” in his day-to-day life – particularly when he goes into Tesco and realises that “meal deals are not £3 anymore”. You feel guilty for laughing, but then you’re slapped in the face with a reality check that Danny is really gone.
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The production complements the writing beautifully. After the bench scene, a flashback of Danny in his nan’s old house with Jules – the Student Union Officer – transpires. This scene, and the ones that follow, demonstrate the importance of having a family unit at university. This feeling was particularly crucial for Danny as he lost his entire family in one night, his Nan. As a viewer, I found these scenes bittersweet; Danny had strong friendships, got offered a job and had a chance to rebuild his life, yet he still felt alone and incapable.Overall, The Big Boys finale captures men’s mental health in the most delicate way, touching on the importance of asking for help from the Jacks in your life.