What’s in a day? There is a lot when you think about it. All of the moments that add up to something more, giving you this idea of what life should or shouldn’t be about. Life is weird that way – made up of little moments that come together for a life that you are living… all in a day.
Taking the moment to examine the same date, just a different year, is a novel concept. It’s one that I think most of us would love to have done. If we could only remember what the days were. Because that’s the other thing about days… they sometimes blend together and before you know it memories are lost.
And what you’re left with is just the knowledge that a day happened. Doesn’t mean that it’s not an important day.
But it’s just a day.
One Day is a story of tells the story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew who, on 15th July 1988, the night of their graduation, speak for the very first time. The next morning, they go their separate ways but where will they be on this one ordinary day the next year, and the year after that, and every year that follows?
Each episode finds Dex and Em, one year older, on this one particular date, as they grow and change, move together and apart, and experience joy and heartbreak. One Day is a decades-spanning love story, based on the worldwide bestseller by David Nicholls.
And here we are – a limited series about a day. A day that every year will change Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, even if they don’t know it yet.
July 15th, 1988. That was their first day.
Graduation and Emma catches Dexters eye. She never expected he’d ever notice her, but when he does, she feels a connection. Yet, when you’re two people from different worlds – how do you find a way to move past that? Even if you are attracted to each other.
One night and a long talk about everything (who knows what, because we don’t get a lot of that conversation), would have most of us falling for someone. There is nothing sexier than talking – this is very true. The vulnerability of getting to know everything that you can about someone? It’s everything.
Dexter and Emma head back to her place, and when things are getting intense, she stops it to put on a tape. Oh tapes… those were the days. Love and Affection by Joan Armatrading starts to play and as they start to get back on track and head towards having sex, Emma asks what he wants to do with his life.
Now, I think that we’ve all had that moment – that day where everything gets complicated and you’re not sure what you’re doing. It’s kinda this weird moment, where you are stuck between what your body wants and what your mind wants. They can and usually are two completely different things. You’re lucky if you’re able to have the two sync.
Dex obviously wants to have sex, but Emma is more hesitant. And they don’t end up having sex, which honestly, good on her. But the truth is , it’s kinda painful to watch because Emma’s just so rude. She’s so put off by Dex and his money, but she’s known who he is. So why is he there then? What made her bring him home? I am so confused.
And to be honest, I am a little put off. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Ambika Mod is so relatable as Emma, that you see yourself. You see the person that she is and you know that you can relate to that. You wonder if you’re good enough. You wonder if you are worthy of love. You want to know why someone is there.
While most of us would have had sex with Dex – cause lets face it, he’s hot – Emma is not going to do that. They fall asleep looking at each other – which is probably the most intimate thing that anyone can do. And Dex trying to sneak out the next morning is something relatable also.
I think that for Dex, who is played Leo Woodall, being challenged by someone and them not wanting to sleep with him is something unusual. It’s definitely not something he’s used to and so it’s like a game for him. But he seems embarrassed by her whenever anyone else is around.
Dex’s sweet and shy act makes me wonder does he want someone to challenge him or has Emma become just a challenge to him. I am not sure what to think. I do however know that for me, that not knowing and that indecision over what I am to him would have me running out the door.
With One Day part of the beauty of this series is the little things that are quite big. The way that he drops her hand when other people are around, the little looks that they shoot each other when they think no one is looking, the dropping of things o the ground… you just know that these are the things that will be something in the other minds in the future.
Because throughout the episode, that’s what they’re doing – moving forward, all while remembering the night before. And when you think that they’ll never see each other again, Dex comes running up to ask for her number. He wants to see her again and she’s visibly excited at the possibility of seeing him again.
We get a glimpse of July 15th, 1989. Emma’s in a van heading down a highway and Dex is abroad with someone.
Whatever happens next between them, I can’t wait to see. I have a feeling that the days will bring pain and joy and everything in between.
Here for it.
Their first day, was a day. But it was a day to remember and to forget and those are the best kind of days.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Tilly is my new favorite TV roommate. I love her
- Hiking in formalwear would never be for me.
- Emma and her picture taking – I thought that was cute because hey, love a memory.