The second episode again has a cracking pace. It very much punctures the attitude that television in the 1970s was so slow moving.
It does give How Green Was My Valley as a soap opera vibe.
Especially when it comes to the rivalry between brothers Ianto and Owen who are both tussling over Marged.
With Owen getting cold feet that Marged might be a floozy, Ianto steps in and marries her. However the hot headed Ianto neglects his pretty bride over working conditions in the mines and union activities.
Owen finally declares his mistake and asks Marged to run away with him. Marged turns him down as it would validate his original opinion of her being a loose woman.
Ianto and Reverend Gruffydd also find common ground on social conditions. The reverend imploring Ianto to play smart rather than be angry all the time.
There is humour when one of the religious firebrands and shopkeeper exposes his hypocrisy. He stole the Morgan's turkeys and gets a wallop for his troubles.
As for Huw, he is bright enough to be accepted at a good school over the other side of the mountain in England. However the teachers and the pupils are not receptive to a miner's boy.
It was noticeable that there was not much time spent in the mines. The episode also introduced the son of a mine owner who takes an interest in daughter Angarhad.
It does give How Green Was My Valley as a soap opera vibe.
Especially when it comes to the rivalry between brothers Ianto and Owen who are both tussling over Marged.
With Owen getting cold feet that Marged might be a floozy, Ianto steps in and marries her. However the hot headed Ianto neglects his pretty bride over working conditions in the mines and union activities.
Owen finally declares his mistake and asks Marged to run away with him. Marged turns him down as it would validate his original opinion of her being a loose woman.
Ianto and Reverend Gruffydd also find common ground on social conditions. The reverend imploring Ianto to play smart rather than be angry all the time.
There is humour when one of the religious firebrands and shopkeeper exposes his hypocrisy. He stole the Morgan's turkeys and gets a wallop for his troubles.
As for Huw, he is bright enough to be accepted at a good school over the other side of the mountain in England. However the teachers and the pupils are not receptive to a miner's boy.
It was noticeable that there was not much time spent in the mines. The episode also introduced the son of a mine owner who takes an interest in daughter Angarhad.