Last Tango in Halifax

It’s literally been years since we last heard from the Buttershaws and their extended brood. So it was a pleasant surprise, to say the least, when reports started surfacing this week that Last Tango in Halifax’s hiatus is coming to an end. Reports which were then confirmed by the BBC's Director of Content.

Previously on the Last Tango in Halifax Christmas special, Caroline was changing jobs and moving to a new house with her mother, step-dad and youngest son in tow. No one seemed pleased about it. Robbie suffered a potentially fatal injury which convinced Gillian that her deceased ex-husband was haunting their barn. Last but not least, a local am-dram troupe flattered Celia by asking her to step into their production of Blithe Spirit. This snowballed into Celia recruiting Alan to join the cast when another member fell ill at the last minute.

In this second and final holiday episode, we learn more about Caroline’s motivation for taking on a new job at a challenging school. Gillian’s guilt finally gets the better of her and the Halifax Players face yet another set-back, but who will come to the rescue?

After a considerable Last Tango in Halifax hiatus, the Buttershaws and their kin have returned to U.S. airwaves just in time for the holidays.

As the Christmas special begins, we find that while life has moved on, no major shakeups have occurred…yet.  Let’s look at where we find the major characters almost two years on and the inevitable drama that awaits.

It’s hard to believe that over two years have passed since we were treated to a Last Tango in Halifax episode, but fear not!

Viewers are in for a brief but welcome respite from this particular televisual drought. The series is returning in the form of a two-part Christmas special on Sunday, December 17 and 24 at 8pm ET. Check your local PBS listings just to be safe.

Previously on Last Tango in Halifax: Last week's recap is right this way.

Previously on Last Tango in Halifax: Last week's recap is right this way.

Okay, are any of you out there starting to replace Celia with Gary as your pick for most annoying, selfish character this series? Someone please tell me what is wrong with that man! Let’s take a look at Mr. Jackson’s behavior as well as the other happenings in this week’s recap.

Previously on Last Tango in Halifax: Last week's recap is right this way.

Just watching this episode made me weary what with all the grief and the fussy baby and the paranoid, illegitimate son and such; however, the need to recap is stronger than the need to sleep. So onward and upward…

(Editorial note: Sorry for the lack of updates this week - Lacy's been out in San Diego at Comic Con, but expect regular service to resume this week. In the meantime, on to the recap!)

Previously on Last Tango in Halifax: The last week's recap is right this way.

This episode takes us through a roller-coaster of emotions. It starts with a celebration, offers up some reconciliation and a pair of marriage proposals is added to the mix for good measure. Alas, it ends in tragedy. If only it could be different, but this is Last Tango in Halifax so what can you expect?

Previously on Last Tango in Halifax: The Season 3 premiere recap is right this way.

Welcome back and we’re jumping in right where we left off in the last episode of with Alan and his newfound son, Gary Jackson, meeting for the first time. It’s a veritable love fest; Alan feeling like he’s always known Gary from the moment he “clapped eyes” on him, Gary not judging Alan for using his mother in a moment of weakness.

Alan explained about how he’d married Gillian’s mum, Eileen, on the rebound and that when he met Gary’s mum at work she reminded him of his true love Celia. He said they were old enough to know better, and after it happened Mary left so he never knew there was a baby. Alan would like to think if he had been aware he would have done the right thing no matter how difficult.

Welcome back to the new series of Last Tango in Halifax! It’s less than two months since Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) were wed in that lovely Christmas ceremony. But as you know, things can never run smoothly for long in the Buttershaw/Dawson clan.

This week viewers witnessed an engagement and an infidelity from an unlikely character with unexpected consequences. Also a family friend finds himself in legal and financial trouble.Read on for more.