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The A Word
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The various generations of the Hughes family, who all love, work and fight like any other clan, find they must learn to communicate all over again when the youngest member is diagnosed with autism.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
SleepoverAn impromptu attempt to win Joe some friends leads to a breakthrough moment for Alison, but how long can it last? Maurice and Louise come to blows over Joe, while Rebecca turns to Eddie for relationship advice. - 02
GoodbyeAlison is hit hard when Joe's helper Maya looks set to be deported. As Paul and Eddie discover their wives both want different things, Maurice is left kicking himself for letting Louise go. - 03
LostAlison brokers a peace with Paul in time for the gastropub opening, but Joe goes missing.
Cast
Episodes by season
Season01Best season
- S01E01
DiagnosisMarch 22, 2016At Joe's birthday party, tensions rise when it's suggested he has communication problems. - S01E02
Home SchoolMarch 29, 2016Following Joe’s diagnosis, Alison wants to protect her son and takes him out of school without telling Paul. He and Rebecca believe that Joe - S01E03
TherapyApril 5, 2016Alison has to deal with a blast from her past after Maggie, a speech and language therapist, shows up to assess Joe. - S01E04
Season's bestSleepoverApril 12, 2016An impromptu attempt to win Joe some friends leads to a breakthrough moment for Alison, but how long can it last? Maurice and Louise come to - S01E05
GoodbyeApril 19, 2016Alison is hit hard when Joe's helper Maya looks set to be deported. As Paul and Eddie discover their wives both want different things, Mauri - S01E06
LostApril 26, 2016Alison brokers a peace with Paul in time for the gastropub opening, but Joe goes missing.
Season02
- S02E01
Naming DayNovember 7, 2017When Joe says the A word for the first time, Paul and Alison know they must talk to him about his autism. Maurice is catapulted back into th - S02E02
Get AwayNovember 14, 2017Life for the Hughes family turns upside down as Joe starts at a specialist school in Manchester. Rebecca halts her plans with James, and Lou - S02E03
Are We Still Here?November 21, 2017Maurice and Louise clash. Paul makes an unexpected connection with Sophie. Eddie gears up for date night with his Manchester girlfriend, Hol - S02E04
FallingNovember 28, 2017Paul and Alison reconnect. Maurice has an existential crisis. Eddie teaches Joe to ride bikes. - S02E05
Season's bestFamily AlbumDecember 5, 2017Nicola makes a 'film' of Joe's behaviors. Maurice makes a shocking proposal. - S02E06
Same Deep WaterDecember 12, 2017An "End of Year Show" at Joe's old school brings his family members together. Paul’s deepest feelings about his son’s autism emerge when Nic
Season03
- S03E01
Episode 1May 5, 2020—Unsettled by a change in his life, Joe rejects his headphones. Maurice tries to solve all his family’s problems, Alison clashes with a stran - S03E02
Episode 2May 12, 2020—Joe causes concern at school as he becomes fixated on his teacher, Heather. Paul helps Mark in his bid to join the army, and Rebecca sets th - S03E03
Episode 3May 19, 2020—Maurice and Eddie lock horns on a kids camping trip. Paul tries to forge a connection with Joe. Rebecca interrupts Alison’s date with Ben to - S03E04
Episode 4May 26, 2020—Alison brings the family together when she organises a sponsored walk for Joe. Paul gets a surprise from Sarah, and Maurice feels rejected b - S03E05
Episode 5June 2, 2020—Louise and Maurice are shaken when an unwelcome visitor arrives on the eve of Ralph’s wedding. Mark and Joe test Paul and Sarah’s liberalism - S03E06
Episode 6June 9, 2020—When Rebecca goes into labour, it falls to Joe to help his sister. Alison makes a decision about Ben, Paul makes Mark an offer, and Maurice
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