Ep 2. Never Mind

[Warning: This show is rated TV-MA for mature audiences due to its content and language.]

In Patrick Melrose season 1 episode 2, entitled "Never Mind," we continue to follow the life of the troubled protagonist Patrick (Benedict Cumberbatch) as he goes through his traumatic childhood in the 1960s. In this episode, we are taken back to younger Patrick and see a glimpse of his life with his mother, Eleanor (Jennifer Jason Leigh), and his father, David (Hugo Weaving).

The episode starts with a lavish cocktail party at the Melrose household, where Patrick's parents are entertaining their rich and high-society friends. The adults are seen drinking and snorting cocaine, while Patrick is left alone to wander around the house. The camera then follows him as he goes upstairs to his parents' bedroom, where he discovers his father raping his mother. Devastated by what he sees, Patrick begins to have flashbacks of his own father molesting him in the past.

The story then moves on to young Patrick's trip to southern France with his alcoholic father, David. They are traveling to pick up some valuable paintings, but it soon becomes apparent that the real reason for the trip is to allow David to indulge in excess and put himself in danger. As David spirals out of control and becomes more and more violent, Patrick is left to fend for himself and learn how to survive in a world that is both frightening and unpredictable.

Back in England, Patrick is sent off to boarding school, where he struggles to fit in with his classmates. He is constantly bullied and abused by older boys, but he finds solace in his love for literature and writing. During one of his classes, he discovers a talent for prose and poetry and impresses his teacher with his writing skills. This newfound talent brings him some hope and joy in an otherwise bleak existence.

As the episode progresses, we are also shown flashbacks of young Patrick's relationship with his mother. Eleanor, who is dealing with her own personal demons, struggles to be emotionally present for her son and often neglects him. But despite their strained relationship, young Patrick remains loyal to his mother and tries to understand her. In one scene, he even goes as far as trying to convince her to stop drinking, but she dismisses him, leaving him feeling helpless and alone.

Throughout "Never Mind," we get an unflinching and often disturbing look at Patrick's traumatic childhood, which helps us to understand the demons that he is battling as an adult. The episode's themes of family dysfunction, addiction, and childhood trauma are all expertly explored, and the show's cast delivers powerhouse performances that make the emotional weight of the story even more profound.

In conclusion, Patrick Melrose season 1 episode 2, "Never Mind," is an intense and moving portrayal of a troubled childhood and its effects on a person's life. It delves deep into the darkness and leaves viewers with a somber reflection on how past traumas can shape our present and future.