The following is commentary on Episode No. 11 ("Brothers in War") from members of AFAMILYATWAR-LIST. If you wish to add your thoughts to what is being said on this page, become a part of our discussion group by clicking the "Join" button.
Richard Veit
“Brothers in War” is notable for the first appearance on screen of 16-year-old Robert Ashton, who has been away, training for the merchant navy. Heretofore, he has been mentioned a few times in dialogue but never actually seen. Finally home on leave, he quickly establishes himself as a likeable character, generous of spirit and concerned about the welfare of others. He brings his mother a decorative pin (“from a novelty shop”) and his infant nephew a wooden train engine. Later, he will buy John George yet another gift, an expensive (and rare in wartime) stuffed toy bear. When Freda and Margaret return home from the movies, it is Robert who has prepared a meal for them to enjoy. In a revealing scene, Robert tells Margaret that he wishes to grant her an allowance from his meagre pay, an offer she must decline. Then he reveals that he plans to declare Margaret his next of kin, so that she would inherit his savings in the event of his death.
The writers had a challenging task ahead of them. The character of Robert Ashton, though arriving quite late in the series for such a major figure, somehow must be richly enough drawn to endear himself to the audience. This is an absolutely essential element of the story line, for viewers must be made to feel genuine affection for him, if they are to grasp the profound sorrow that his loss at sea generates and its divisive effect on the relationship of Jean and Edwin.
A sub-plot, depicting a flare-up of tension between David and Philip, is equally effective. When Susan Reynolds tells David that life would be more understandable for him if he had the responsibility of a wife and children, Philip realises that his brother is up to his old tricks with women. The disparity in the brothers’ respective levels of education forces another wedge between them, and Susan’s appreciation for intellectual achievement only exacerbates David’s resentment and sense of inferiority.
Another powerful facet of this episode is the introduction of Peter Collins and his futile pursuit of the affections of Freda Ashton. I feel sorry for poor Peter, a pathetic victim of unrequited love, and it is painful to watch his desperation grow as Freda remains unresponsive to his advances. To her credit, Freda handles the situation well, doing her best to let her suitor down as gently as possible. The tragedy that ensues in the next episode cannot be attributed in any way to her worthy intentions, though that does not prevent her from feeling some sense of guilt. Ultimately, of course, this will cloud beyond any hope of redemption her relationship with Owen Thomas.
Some other thoughts on this episode…
There is a funny scene between Robert and his father, wherein Edwin blunders through an explanation of the facts of life, only to have his son present him with an instructional manual on the subject.
Picking up where the previous episode left off, two further aspects of war on the home front are glimpsed. Robert gives his mother a ration book, and Edwin and Peter remove the Ashtons’ front gate for donation to the scrap-metal drive.
Where did the phrase “a clever little lad” originate? On more than one occasion, it is heard on “A Family at War,” and it always seems to gain a negative reaction from its recipient. In “Brothers at War,” Freda says it to Robert, and he leaves the room in anger. As best I can figure, the phrase is taken to be condescending and patronising.
It is not often that we see the softer side of Sefton Briggs, but this episode contains once such instance. Tony has left without saying goodbye, instead merely leaving his father a note. Sefton confides, “It’s an empty house without him.” This is quite a touching moment, one that suggests that Tony’s father is not as mercenary and impersonal as his greedy scheming has led us to believe.
Jo Ellem
Just a quick note on Richard's post earlier, he asked about the origin of the term "clever little chap" and that he felt it had negative feel. In the instance between Frida and Robert, it definitely did, but it was more about an older sister calling a younger brother "little", when he felt he was an adult. We have similar twist on that particular term (because that is what it is!). Down under you will hear the following bandied about sometimes in conversation:
"He's a clever little bugger"
"He's a clever little bloke"
"He's a clever little nipper"
and sometimes the following:
"He's a clever little blighter" (that was a fav with some of my veterans)
"he's a clever little chap"
And for female reference, insert "she" where "he" is. This term can apply to children or it can apply to grown ups, it can be negative or it can be positive. It depends on who is using it and under what context. Being the eldest of six kids, it's hard for me sometimes to not think of the youngest of the tribe as still being little. So Frida calling Robert a "clever little chap", and he biting back, well it was all very normal.
I like Robert, he is one of my favourite characters. He embodies and represents the Merchant Seaman who had a very tough War. I had a great conversation in a train about three years ago wit a lovely lady who lives in my area, her husband had been a merchant seaman during the war. He had spent all his life after the war on fighting our government here for a veteran's pension. Which, I might add they rightly deserve. The Merchant Seaman had a terrible go of it and they deserved much better than they got, especially after the war was finished. It was the Merchant Seaman who kept the food on the tables in Britain and troops fed and watered on all of the various fronts. A thankless job but terribly dangerous and the loss of life was high. If anyone is interested, the excellent series, "The World at War" by the BBC has an episode on the War on the sea and a large chunk of that is dedicated to the merchant Seaman. Another series by the BBC called "Their Finest Hour" also talks to merchant seaman throughout the four episodes and is worth a look.
