Life Begins

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Life Begins

Format Drama
Run time 60 minutes (with adverts)
Creator(s) Mike Bullen
Starring Caroline Quentin
Alexander Armstrong
Elliot Henderson Boyle
Ace Destiny Ryan
Anne Reid
Frank Finlay
Channel ITV1
Production company ITV Productions
Air dates February 16, 2004 – October 9, 2006
No. of series 3
No. of episodes 19
IMDb profile

Life Begins is a British television drama broadcast on ITV1, starring Caroline Quentin. The first season began on February 16, 2004. The first series was a huge success. The show managed fantastic viewing figures ranging from 9.51 to 10.45 million winning all of it's timeslots.[1]

As the first Life Begins was so popular a second series was launched which began on February 16, 2005. Series two received strong ratings of 6.38 to 8.62 million. [2]

A third season started on September 4, 2006 on ITV1. Again the viewing figures were still very high managing to win half of it's timeslots with figures of 5.79 to 6.32 million. [3]

More recently, ITV have confirmed that Life Begins has been axed and will not return for a fourth season.

Contents

[edit] Basic Plot

The story follows Phil and Maggie Mee, and their two children James and Rebecca. It also features various relatives and friends of the couple. The series depicts typical family life and presents the struggles of family members and friends.

[edit] Episode List

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Series One (2004)

  • Episode one - Whilst Maggie and Phil Mee are on holiday with friends Clare and Guy, Maggie’s husband Phil decides that he wants to leave her. Soon after he moves out and finds a flat of his own. Now Maggie must cope on her own.


  • Episode two - Maggie finds a job at a travel agents. To Maggie’s displeasure, whilst working in the travel agents, her husband Phil comes in to book a holiday for him and his new girlfriend Anna. Meanwhile she learns that her father has some serious problems with his memory.


  • Episode three - Phil and Maggie are forced to see a mediator to sort out their assets. But, Phil is being less than honest about his earnings, so, Maggie threatens to contact the Child Support Agency. She also goes out with her work friends waking up the next morning with a young man.


  • Episode four - As a result of the previous night, Maggie is embarrassed about asking for the morning-after pill. Her work friends decide to send her on a blind date. She starts to spend a lot of time with friend Guy which causes Clare to become suspicious. Meanwhile Anna has moved in with her husband Phil causing Maggie to become annoyed.


  • Episode five - Maggie goes speed dating with work colleague Helen which turns out to be a catastrophe. When Phil finds out about her dating session he is less than amused. But soon after, her son James’ history teacher Paul Winston takes an interest in Maggie.


  • Episode six - Maggie starts a relationship with Paul. Things become very awkward as Phil turns up with the children after having a row with girlfriend Anna, causing them to split up. Now Maggie must decide which man she wants to be with.


[edit] Series Two (2005)

  • Episode one - The travel agency Maggie works for takes over another branch. Genevieve and Kevin join the staff. At Phil’s work however, cuts are being made by his ex-girlfriend Anna and friend to Maggie and Phil: Guy decides to expand his business. Meanwhile Maggie’s dad gives a talk in school on his wartime memories.


  • Episode two - Maggie has been made the deputy at the travel agency, however, she doesn’t seem to be getting on with colleague Genevieve. Brenda, Maggie’s mum has an old flame re-enter her life and Rebecca’s new boyfriend isn’t approved of. Phil starts depending on Maggie in fear that his redundancy is close.


  • Episode three - When Maggie comforts Phil, their friend Guy gets the wrong end of the stick. Maggie also discovers why Genevieve is constantly late for work, meanwhile Maggie and Paul can’t seem to get any time together.


  • Episode four - Even though Maggie is separated from her husband, he seems to be spending more time at home than ever, although, boyfriend Paul doesn’t seem to be bothered. Oddly Maggie shows empathy towards Phil’s situation. However, Phil is now moving into Paul’s old flat while Paul moves in with Maggie so that they can spend more time together.


  • Episode five - Maggie notices the strain her mother Brenda is under whilst trying to cope with her husband Eric who has Alzheimer’s. Maggie suggests that he comes to stay while Brenda goes away for a weekend, but Brenda doesn't go away with friend Nancy like Maggie thinks. She’s away with old flame Frank. Clare consults Maggie about her spending so much time with Phil.


  • Episode six - With Rebecca feeling annoyed with her mum and being dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to go next door to talk with Samantha. But Rebecca takes some pills and is rushed to hospital. Her dad Phil is furious and takes it out on Paul who was meant to look after her.


  • Episode seven - Maggie plans a big Christmas holiday for her family and friends, including Paul, her children, her parents, and friends Clare and Guy. But Phil thinks that he and Maggie still have a chance together. Meanwhile Paul gets a visit from his ex-wife Paula.

[edit] Series Three (2006)

  • Episode one - Maggie makes a fresh start with Phil in a new house. However, Maggie still doesn’t feel comfortable with her relationship with Phil. Phil’s boss Brian turns up to stay with them as his wife Penny has thrown him out. Meanwhile Maggie and Phil have an awkward misunderstanding with their new next door neighbours Mia and Nick. This gets them laughing again.


  • Episode two - Phil wants Maggie to give up her job at the travel agents in order to help James with his schoolwork as James isn’t putting any effort in at all. To the surprise of her colleagues Maggie hands in her notice, but she has second thoughts when Penny reveals that Phil and Brian were seen at a lap-dancing club. Meanwhile Penny invites Brian home, but to sleep in the garage and not in the house like he thought!


  • Episode three - Maggie grows more concerned about her relationship with Phil. She thinks that he’s having an affair with a new client. Maggie is not looking forward to her work weenkend away as she is still thinking about her current situation. Finally she decides to go on the weekend but rings home to check on Phil. His new client answers and Maggie goes mad. They now realize they have serious issues to sort out.


  • Episode four - Mia, Maggie’s next door neighbour suggest that Maggie and Phil try something different. Maggie starts Spanish classes but Phil isn’t interested. Maggie decides to goes out with her classmates but Phil decided not to go yet again. She gets talking to an ex cancer patient Will, which prompts her to think about travelling. Later on Maggie ends up looking after her colleagues baby which gives Phil the idea that having a baby will save his and Maggie’s relationship. Maggie isn't convinced however.


  • Episode five - Maggie finds out that she is actually pregnant. She goes to the abortion clinic but she can’t go through with the termination. She can’t break the news about the baby to Phil. Later on she collapses in work and is rushed to hospital where she looses the baby. Meanwhile, Phil is sacked from his job by his boss Brian. Having talked to next door neighbour Nick, Phil sets up his own business at home, taking on Penny as his first customer. Whilst at the travel agency Jeff introduces the new regional manager whom Genevieve has history with. He was the father of her child.


  • Episode six - With Maggie having decided to go travelling with friend Will, it turns out he cannot go. Meanwhile Maggie’s parents cannot find a suitable house in which to move. Mia and Nick have more disagreements, as a result, Nick moves out and their house is put up for sale. Phil has an excellent idea for Brenda and Eric to buy next door. It is decided that Phil will go travelling with Maggie to South America instead of Will, and Mia will look after the children.
Spoilers end here.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Air Dates

[edit] UK Air Dates

[edit] International Air Dates

Country TV network(s) Series premiere Weekly schedule
Australia Australia Seven Network December 5, 2006 Tuesday 8:30pm AEDST

[edit] External links

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