‘The Larkins’ Recap: ‘Family’ & ‘In Which the Larkins Woo Charley the Tax Man’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Larkins’.
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There was a time when television shows… were vastly different in tone and design. For producers and other creative minds truly saw T.V. as a genuine escape from the real world and in order to properly whisk a viewer away from their troubles… they were transported to fictional worlds that were fluffy in nature. Sure, the characters might deal with conflicts, but they were always easy to overcome and their resolution was always handled in a positive manner and of course… the stories present in these shows rarely interconnected, in order to offer up something fresh to the viewers week in and week out. But as the years rolled along, audiences demanded more from their shows. For they realized they wanted depth and meaning and observations and lessons and that changed the landscape of the industry forever.
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To the point where just about every show out there now, features all of those elements and they even engage in serialized storytelling, so the audience can invest further in their favorite shows, all but effectively burying the once fluffier side to television. But there was mention that not all shows follow this wildly popular structure and formula. For there are some creative minds and networks still out there, that believe that there is still room for lighthearted and cuddly television shows. The kind that are slices of everyday life for the plucky characters that populate a respective universe and one network that holds to this edict is Acorn TV. For a brand-new series is available on this network that harkens back to that classic age of television and that makes The Larkins, quite the unique series.

For this is a series that is filled to the brim with delightful humor and uplifting moments, and it accomplishes these feats, by taking us back in time, to the 1950s to be exact. Wherein we are introduced to the eclectic Larkin family. Who tend to their farm in Kent and go about their simple lives alongside their neighbors and get into shenanigans along the way, and well, that’s it… that’s really all there is to the premise of this show and that really does harken back to classic sitcoms and dramedys since it evokes echoes of that classic era of storytelling, and at first glance, that seems like a plot/setup that might bore modern audiences to tears. After all, we expect modern television to grab hold of us and wow us at every turn with important moments and believe it or not, this series pulls this off as well.

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Because there are indeed minor conflicts for the Larkins to resolve, the kind that are incredibly relatable and modern but are snuck into ‘Family’ and ‘In Which the Larkins Woo Charley the Tax Man’ in such a smooth manner that you simply don’t notice. For instance, the desire for Pop Larkin to be seen in a positive light by the community when the local jerk tries to sully the Larkin name, echoes some of the experiences that people deal with now, in regard to viral moments that paint people in a negative light and having the Tax Man come calling for monies owed at the behest of the rich, also has modern echoes. But those elements never once feel heavy handed or out of place… it’s just part of the life experiences this family goes through and they're handled in such a compelling manner that you cannot look away.
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But of course, in order to truly sell a classic style show, set in a long-forgotten era, production values are key, and this show succeeds there as well. Because this really does feel like the 1950s through and through and it is wonderful that the production team made great efforts to replicate this era so that we are properly immersed in this world. However, for an audience to truly be drawn into this world and to connect with a family as big as the Larkins, casting is key, and the show does a phenomenal job there as well. Since every actor in this show brings relatable depth and charm to their respective characters and it is Bradley Walsh that truly steals the show here as Pop Larkin. Thanks to the innocent charm and wonder that he helps Pop to exude, the kind that is so pure in nature that all you do is root for him and his equally as pure family.

If anything, all of these elements truly make this series about as refreshing as it gets. Since this show more or less serves as the anthesis to what's on the air right now. For there is no grit or commentary or key moments that need to be committed to memory to be found here. It's just full of fun and charm and it is a great way to lose oneself for an hour or so and enjoy a slice of life in an era and a setting that a great deal of us know nothing about. Since small town life isn’t commonplace either and being immersed into this tiny little berg and getting to know the plucky community of Kent, really does put a smile on your face and leaves you eager to continue the journey. So you can see what other positive and fun adventures await the Larkin family as season one continues along. Until next time.

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