Babies Review: A Profound Exploration of Unspoken Grief and Emotional Isolation
Stefan Golaszewski's exquisite new television series, Babies, represents a remarkable achievement in contemporary drama. This BBC production delves into the complex aftermath of baby loss with unsettling humor, moving sensitivity, and emotional devastation that lingers long after viewing.
The Silent Struggle of Lisa and Stephen
At the heart of Babies are Lisa and Stephen, portrayed with remarkable nuance by Siobhán Cullen and Paapa Essiedu. Their relationship appears functional on the surface—exchanging casual "you good?" affirmations while nestled together on their sofa. Yet beneath this veneer of normalcy lies a profound emotional chasm created by repeated miscarriages.
The couple's coping mechanism involves a deliberate avoidance of meaningful conversation about their losses. "Gotta stay positive," Stephen insists, while Lisa retreats into the protective shell of her oversized fleece hoodie. Their shared philosophy of "eyes up, move forwards" becomes both their strength and their prison, creating what Lisa describes as a profound sense of isolation: "We are so alone."
A Drama About Communication Failures
Created, written, and directed by Stefan Golaszewski, Babies fundamentally examines how people communicate—or more accurately, how they fail to communicate. The series explores why individuals might avoid expressing their needs, whether from fear of vulnerability, embarrassment, or confronting uncomfortable truths about themselves.
The narrative expands beyond the central couple to include Stephen's best friend Dave, played by Jack Bannon, and Dave's new girlfriend Amanda, portrayed by Charlotte Riley. Dave embodies toxic masculinity with his passive-aggressive banter and emotional incompetence, while Amanda presents as perhaps the most complex character—a meticulously controlled acquisitions manager who oscillates between emotional withdrawal and startling honesty.
Narrative Structure and Emotional Impact
Across six meticulously crafted episodes, Babies unfolds with minimal traditional plot but maximum emotional resonance. Information emerges gradually, with seemingly minor revelations landing with explosive impact. The series maintains extraordinary tension as viewers witness characters navigating their relationships while attempting to find some semblance of happiness.
The central narrative thread follows Lisa and Stephen's desperate longing to conceive, depicted through gloriously ordinary montages of frantic attempts, insensitive medical encounters, and tearful moments staring at pregnancy tests. Hospital scenes prove particularly well-observed yet difficult to watch, demonstrating Golaszewski's directorial precision in knowing exactly when not to look away from painful realities.
Provocative Questions and Narrative Engineering
Like Golaszewski's previous work, including the acclaimed Marriage series, Babies raises more questions than it answers. The drama interrogates whether grief can excuse selfish behavior, what makes one death more significant than another, and when positive thinking becomes a weapon against emotional truth.
The series represents a feat of narrative engineering, with countless expertly assembled components working in harmony. This unapologetically adult drama isn't afraid to follow emotionally devastating scenes with unexpected humor, including jokes about fast-food establishments that provide necessary relief from the intensity.
Minor Criticisms and Overall Triumph
While nearly flawless, Babies occasionally overplays themes of toxic masculinity and generational trauma. The series' theme tune, inexplicably performed by Golaszewski himself, might test some viewers' patience with its busker-esque quality.
Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles against an otherwise magnificent achievement. Babies stands as an unsettling, compassionate, funny, moving, and wildly unpredictable series featuring beautiful performances throughout. With this emotionally resonant work, Golaszewski has delivered something truly special—a television triumph that handles its delicate subject matter with extraordinary care and artistic precision.
