Beyond Paradise season 2 episode 4 spoilers follow.
Anne's (Barbara Flynn) dating journey has been anything but conventional in this season of Beyond Paradise. She's embraced the swipe-left/right perils of online dating with a sensuality and enthusiasm so rarely seen among the older generation in television dramas.
She's been on a few dates, dabbled in ghosting – though admittedly that wasn't for her – and now, with her new beau Richard (Peter Davison) on the scene, she is rather enjoying the fun, sexy side of romance when you match with someone whose slurping of soup doesn't give you the ick.
It's been a dual experience for the widow, who has taken to this new venture like Selwyn to water, but still wrestles with feelings of grief, loss and guilt over her late husband Anthony.
Anne's storyline has pulled the perception of older people dating out of the drudgery of cosy-cutesy blind-date matches and PG-rated OAP hand-holding, and injected some fun into the process.
It's been refreshing to watch and now Beyond Paradise takes things one step further this week when Anne and Richard's courtship hits a very rough patch.
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The episode starts out quite the opposite, however, as Richard and Anne seem to be rhythmically in tune with one another with all the headiness of a budding romance.
In the midst of Martha's (Sally Bretton) life crisis, Richard is more than willing to help Anne ship her daughter's moving boxes to Anne's house while Martha deals with a break-in at the cafe.
Their sweet, flirtatious chat hits a pause when Richard invites Anne to an art gallery event on Anthony's birthday. The thought is chilling for Anne, who turns him down.
Not deterred, Richard leaves the offer on the table before they quickly fall back into a light step with one another.
After some deliberation over the course of the episode, and some much needed encouragement from Martha, who seems to have finally accepted her mum is dating, Anne decides to go.
Wanting to surprise Richard, she shows up unannounced but gets a rather nasty surprise of her own – or should we say surprises.
For one, Richard is there with his wife and not only has Anne been dating a married man, he has also been lying to her about his name. His name is really Peter, and the revelations leave Anne completely floored.
With the most gracious composure, Anne makes her excuses and leaves, but is quickly met by Richard (or should we say Peter) at her car. The two-timer attempts to explain himself, but Anne is having none of it and hits him with a direct question.
"Was any of it real or were you just stringing me along the whole time?," she demands. He is flustered, tripping over his excuses while attempting to tell her "it's complicated" and their exchange has the emotional beats of an earnest love story.
In the most dramatic fashion, befitting of a romance novel (violin music and all), Anne dashes away leaving him high and dry.
She confides in Martha and in some ways we see their roles reverse as she comforts her mother over her heartbreak and Anne allows herself to be vulnerable and receive compassion.
While this is a nasty turn of events for Anne, who has been left with a bruised heart and ego, it is great to see Beyond Paradise approach the dating world for the older generation with such nuance and complexity.
The same issues that occur among the youth are the same issues faced by anyone dating, even those who may be considered past the first flush of youth.
It's not all sensible compatibility and crossword puzzles. There is excitement and passion, but equally hearts do get broken, prides are wounded and people cheat.
We sincerely hope that Anne bounces back from this setback and gets the closure she need, yet it's lovely to see the show be so unreserved when it comes to exploring her dating journey.
Beyond Paradise airs on Fridays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
