When its wrong to fall in love

BROADCAST NEWS
Deborah Thomas TREVOR and Jenny meet at a funeral. Jenny is a very pretty, and young, divorcée; Trevor not quite so pretty, certainly not so young, and has been married for 16 years to Liz, with whom he has two children, ages 11 and 14.
Jenny and Trevor find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another. They meet up secretly in Jenny's flat this is quite easy to manage because Trevor is a lorry driver and often away from home for extended intervals. One thing leads to another, fascination becomes love, they start an affair, Trevor tells Liz, she throws him out and he moves in with Jenny.
This would be rather standard television drama fare, and even faintly old-fashioned, were it not for the fact that, in Screen Two's Close Relations (BBC2, Sunday), close relations is just what Trevor and Jenny are. Brother and sister, to be precise. They have grown up apart, Trevor having left the family home to go into the Merchant Navy before Jenny was even born.
Jenny knew that she had a brother somewhere, but Trevor was oblivious of her existence. So when they meet up and fall in love, Jenny can quite credibly say, "I don't feel it's wrong. I don't feel you're my brother".
All the same, Close Relations made highly uncomfortable viewing. Had it been less well written, directed or acted by just one jot, it would probably have been impossible to watch. As it was, you winced a bit, and wondered why you hadn't opted for reliable old Everyman on the rights of the Maoris, but you could nonetheless get through to the end a sad little scene with Trevor botching a suicide attempt and Jenny weeping at his hospital bedside.
Your discomfort was, of course, as nothing compared with theirs. The legal problems posed by their relationship were fairly easily overcome. Having explained that the law against incest was ecclesiastic and eugenic in basis, and having ascertained that the couple had ensured that they would not have children, the judge trying their case gave them both an order of absolute discharge.
But this could not discharge them from the terrible anguish they caused Trevor's wife and children, nor the hate 'phone calls they received, nor the word "PERVERTS" spray painted on their front door.
It was difficult to know what to think of Close Relations. The low key dialogue, punctuated by many silences, counteracted one's sense of horror, bit couldn't quite succeed in pating it. One felt sorry fbr everyone, winch -Tilt one nowhere really. If it was traumatic for Liz, did that mate it wrong? If it felt entirety natural and right for Trevor and Jenny, did that make it right?
Writer Stanley Price had the good sense not to give the answers, and whatever they may be, Close Relations was a sensitive and brave piece of television.
The Week Ahead Sunday 11 February 12.00 Encounter, ITV. Benedictine monk Fr Ian Petit recalls his earliest, negative conceptions of God, and tells how his understanding and faith have changed and developed over the years. The programme goes to York, where Fr Petit is now based, and Ampleforth, where he was at school and where he later became a monk. 22.30 The Sunday Sequence, Radio 3. David Melling introduces a traditional Romanian chant, outlining the history of Christianity in Romania and describing the musical tradition it fosters. 23.30 Seeds of Faith, Radio 4. Wilfred McGreal continues his examination of religious thought in contemporary fictiOn with a look at two novels by David Lodge, The British Museum is Falling Down and How Far Can You Go.
Wednesday 14 February
14.30 The Mormons, Channet 4. A film about the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, whose worldwide membership is over six million.