It’s Grim Up North – The show begins on a snowy night in Manchester, UK. Alyssa Penrose (Robyn Cara) activates the security alarm upon entering her home. After checking the live feed she heads up to her room, where she quietly pleads with her mum, Daphne Penrose (Katy Bartrop) to come home. Music blares, lights flicker, and the TV switches channels. She orders Electra to switch it all off when Daphne announces she is home. She frantically pleads with Electra to switch the light on as Daphne opens the front door. Daphne screams when she discovers Alyssa’s lifeless body lying in the snow.
Bolton, Six Months Later –Rochelle Mason (Isis Hainsworth) admits she cheated on her French exam by writing the answers on a water bottle. Wren Davis (Amelia Clarkson) autographs her shirt. She tries to repay the favor with a penis until Wren runs away. They are goofing around when Ashley Banister (Natalie Blair) approaches. The girls talk about their summer plans when Noah Royston (Harry Redding) and Antony Longwell (Ellis Howard) blow an air horn.
A group of high school kids party in the moor. Ashley is shocked to see Tariq “Taz” Sadiq (Ali Khan) join the group. Rochelle assures her it is okay. Taz admits he’d never been there before. When Ashley says it’s not surprising, he sarcastically suggests nothing would shock her except a cattle prod. Rochelle discovers she and Taz weren’t invited to Becky Fox’s party. She questions if Wren can get her in the part before inviting Taz to join the Dickheads.
Wren asks Becky if she would permit Rochelle to attend her party. After informing her of the 10 quid door charge, Becky reluctantly says, “Dress to impress.” After Taz gets an invitation, he pays his 10 quid. Wren offers her a loan for the door charge. Rochelle assures her that she is a “charity case.” Wren sensually touches Noah’s hand before they head to a telephone booth. Rochelle watches as they kiss.
Wren is dancing with others when he notices Rochelle standing by herself. She rushes over to give her a hug. Rochelle tells her that she needs to use the bathroom. Wren watches as she walks away before joining the others.
Rochelle receives a text from Becky that reads, “Roses are red, violets are blue, some to the Garden where you can bloom too.” She activates a rose to receive a welcome to Red Rose message. Her face appears on the screen.
Vinny Mason (Samuel Anderson) tells Rochelle that he is proud of her. There isn’t enough cereal for everyone, so Vinny shares with her.
Wren, Rochelle, Ashley, and the others greet Jaya Mahajan (Ashna Rabheru). Taz asks Jaya if she plans to go to Becky’s party. She tells him that she’ll probably be in Manchester when friends. As they walk away, someone says her only friends are “pigeons.” Big Jenna (Hannah Griffiths) and Little Jenna (Silvie Furneaux) tease Wren. Rochelle threatens Little Jen before they leave the area.
As Rochelle heads to babysit her sisters, Nora and Clare she receives a message that reads, “Hello Rochelle. We haven’t forgotten about you. How could we?.” Red Rose asks if she would like help. She selects “no.”
After receiving a text at work, Wren asks her co-workers if she can clock out early.
Wren is startled when Rick Bennett (Adam Nagaitis) places his headphones over her ears. He immediately apologizes before asking about her exams. She tells him that they were okay. He suggests their meetings take place at her house instead of the graveyard. She admits her mother doesn’t know about their meetings. He tells her that she will need to do it eventually. She agrees to do it but only when she’s ready before walking away.
Rochelle puts on a puppet show for Nora and Clare when the electricity goes out. The Electrocard Meter reading is zero. When Red Rose asks if she would like help, she selects “yes.” She selects “three wishes.” She is asked to repeat the quote, “Rose red, rose red will these things from out of my head.” After repeating the quote three times, the electricity comes back on. The Electrocard Meter reading is €100.00.
Rochelle receives a text from Red Rose promising to take care of her.
A noise outside draws Rochelle’s attention. She opens the door to find a dress from a clothesline and a pair of sneakers. Nora and Clare ask where it came from. She tells them it was a gift from her Fairy Godmother.
Rochelle shows off her new shoes to Wren, Ashley, and the guys. Noah tells her that she looks like a “Nazi.” Wren asks if they are okay. Rochelle gives Wren and Noah her blessing before telling them to kiss.
Nora and Claire ask what happened to the water in the stream. She suggests it has to do with “climate change.” A test from Red Rose asks if she is outside. She selects “yes” to receive a request for a fire. Her sisters ask the purpose of the fire. She tells them it will help “reveal things.” The camera on her cellphone activates while lying on the ground. A girl appears in the live feed. The girl’s face transforms from invisible to her mom’s. She stomps out the fire before they flee the area.
Rochelle invites Ashley to join her on a trip to town. Ashley tells her that they already have plans to go to town when Wren is free. Rochelle asks if Wren blocked her. Ashley says it’s obvious something is going on between her and Wren. She suggests they talk about it in person, not over the phone.
Rochelle meets Wren in the woods. Wren sends her a text to prove she isn’t blocked. Rochelle tells her that it feels as if she’s ignoring her. Wren asks for an apology for the Noah kiss. They continue to bicker back and forth until Wren admits to getting “pissed off.” Rochelle warns she might end up angry like her dad if he continues to hang out with him.
Rochelle informs Rachel Davis (Natalie Gavin) that Rick and Wren are seeing each other. Rachel refers to her as a “good friend.”
Rochelle is watching a video of her mother, Gloria Mason (Ellie James) receives a Red Rose text that reads, “She misses you too.”
Rachel confronts Wren about her relationship with Rick. Wren admits to dating Rick for the past month. Rachel threatens to have the police arrest him. Wren assures her that he is better. Rachel reminds her of how dangerous he is before ordering her to end the relationship. Wren sends Rochelle an apology text.
Instead of receiving an apology, Rochelle receives the following message, “You bit** I can’t believe you told my mum.” Nora and Clare rush into the room to throw what looks like sand in her hair. Angry, she orders them to get out.
Rochelle takes her sister to the food bank. She and Wren receive the same message, “I hate us fighting. Let’s talk tonight at Becky Fox’s.”
Wren shows the text to her mum who agrees to let her go.
While painting Nora and Clare’s faces, Rochelle tells them to let no one inside the house except for her and Vinny.
Noah, Ashley, Taz, and Jaya take shots. Rochelle arrives at the party to be greeted by Becky. When Rochelle mentions Red Rose, Becky asks what is it. She receives a Red Rose text asking if she would kiss Noah. She selects “no.” A video of Rochelle at the food bank pops up on Becky’s TV. No one seems to see it except for Rochelle before it disappears. A Red Rose text reads, “You look great, but we know the real you. Kiss Noah.” While Rochelle stares at the text, Wren receives a message that seems to come from her. A guy aims his video camera toward Rochelle and Noah. The live feed appears on the TV. Wren sees Rochelle kiss Noah.
Rochelle is on her way home when Red Rose asks her location. A live feed of her sisters pops up on her cellphone. She watches as Gloria makes an appearance. She promises to take care of Clare and Nora
Red Rose Review
The show is an abomination of the British film industry. Nothing about it feels natural. The acting feels forced, which may have something to do with the empty script.
The cinematography is atrocious. The camera angle and range are off by what feels like a mile. The shots were oddly angled or too close or too far off. The scenes were too dark to make out what is happening.
The background music is the show’s best feature. Unfortunately, the volume is overwhelming in the intro and periodically throughout the episode.
The editing was amateurish. The story doesn’t progress from scene to scene. The uneventful shots should’ve been cut. Scenes go on for far too long, enticing you to fast-forward. I lost interest about halfway through when literally nothing was happening.
The dialogue doesn’t mesh. Topics are brought up and dropped, without explanation.
It’s questionable what they hoped to achieve with Red Rose. Did they expect a masterpiece or another average TV series? The bad CGI was the determining factor.
The show deserves a 5. Get more Red Rose recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.
