The series returns again in the third season, as Cathy and Michael decide to spend good time in the countryside, but Jason has more concerns about that. After a night in one of the restaurants everyone has spent, Kathy and her family are heading to bedtime. Meanwhile, Pauline seems to have plenty to drink and Jason may have a lot to say to Cathy at those moments.
The miracle Golaszewski performs here is in humanising his small army of monsters, giving characters who were once cartoons a heartbreaking inner life that previous seasons only hinted at.
Mum somehow manages to be two comedies in one: a parade of grotesques rub up against a pair of superhumanly kind and tolerant people who barely make you laugh at all.
Mum is on-point situational comedy, with a moving message about bereavement and an ensemble cast who complement each other brilliantly. As Cathy, Leslie Manville is the master of the poignant, pregnant pause.
Manville is so careful not to do too much as she acts that she effortlessly assumes the role of everywoman, and has you rooting for her as the still centre of what is essentially a madhouse.
