This "Brady group" invasion is quietly welcomed by family members, friends, and co-workers. The children especially find the parental void is filled by the additional family member which provides a certain sense of comfort. However, Mary's somewhat hippy mother, Molly Gilcrest Straud (Cheryl Campbell, Chariots of Fire) is misplaced when she and her daughter have a disagreement. William – who made up his mind that Mary was the only woman for him – is the solid balance in this mix, and seems to have the skill to remain calm in stressful situations. Mary's life, on the other hand, is controlled by the birth of her clients' babies, and she is on-call 24/7 leaving the housekeeper, her Mom, and William's co-workers to stand on-guard to help with any problems that might arise.
Personal limitations seem to bother the couple when there is a lack of personal time and space. With teenagers running throughout the house, and friends, neighbors and relatives dropping in unexpectedly, the couple can't seem to find any quality time for their romance to grow. Mary's mother keeps popping up with her ex, Rick Straud (Michael Begley, Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise), trying to edge her way back into Mary's home and life. The teenagers have their problems with sex, overcrowding, and gangs, but especially with the return of the boys' dad, Reuben (Paterson Joseph, Peep Show), who more than ruffles that calm exterior of a loving William.
Knowing that this relationship is more than a casual affair, William moves to the next level to make their blended family permanent. A new home, an engagement ring, and perhaps a marriage ceremony follow; but Mary's inability to find herself in this new role causes an upset in everyone's lives. Both William and Mary realize that their love is a blessing, and that their combined missions in life as an undertaker and midwife (thus, holding the gates of entrance and exit to life) complete the circle of their love, responsibility and purpose – like birth and death, love is a force that won't be denied.
William and Mary: The Complete Collection contains all three series of this brilliantly written drama. A bonus feature included is a 40 minute interview with Clunes and Graham sharing film clips and their views on the making of the show. True to the nature of British shows, William and Mary: The Complete Collection is a great "slice of life" of today's ever-changing extended family. I particularly like the fact that the Brits revere their culture, and because William is in the church choir and a band member, both traditionally classic and contemporary music weave drama throughout the scenes. So amusing is the "Elvis Night" where each band member imitates the Rock 'N Roll King himself. This is a progressive show where personalities and lifestyles might be unacceptable for younger viewers, and parents are cautioned of mild nudity and coarse language.
William and Mary are caretaking "angels" whose monumental responsibility is to be sensitive to the desires and needs of the families partaking in either the birth or death of their loved one, and to gently usher in the beginning or ending of the human life. The religious consider this a sacramental event when the tender soul is once again united with its Maker. William and Mary: The Complete Collection is a true picture of how life and death humble us in the wake of its awesome reality.
