My Family (TV Series)

Sitting Targets (2003)

Gabriel Thomson: Michael Harper

Quotes 

• Michael : You're detached; you're selfish; you suck the joy out of everything. You undermine your children's self esteem so each of us has found our own way to escape. Nick has rejected adulthood and all responsibility, Janey has moved 200 miles away and got herself pregnant, whereas I, since that route has denied me, have resorted to lowering a steel shutter on my emotions so at times I may seem cold; even cruel and insulting to my parents. The irony being that although you have caused all this, you're the only one who cannot see it. Now what did you want to say?

  Ben : I was just gonna ask if you wanted to go ice skating.

• Susan : A letter from Janey! I wonder why she didn't just call?

  Michael : Well, 'cause then she'd have to talk to you.

  Ben : Look, please! This is the only chance I've got to read the paper.

  Susan : She says she's got a part-time job.

  Ben : Oh.

  Susan : To supplement her student loan. Look.

  [passes the letter to Ben] 

  Ben : Funny. Student loan.

  [looks at letter] 

  Ben : Susan, have you seen what job this is!

  Susan : Don't worry. She says it's very artistic, and the customers aren't allowed to touch them.

• Michael : You know, dad, if the universe is infinite, then it's a logical certainty that somewhere out there, there's another Ben Harper living on another Earth exactly the same. I wonder what he's doing now.

  Ben : Probably watching telly.