Episodes

1. Life Begins at 40

As Jane's 40th birthday approaches the tension is building in the Hughes household. Nineteen-year-old Emily is frequently out partying and her nocturnal lifestyle threatens to overshadow the happy family celebration.

2. Secrets

Two of the Hughes children have been keeping secrets from their mum and dad and it's only a matter of time before the cat is out of the bag and both girls are in trouble.

3. Bedtime

Simon and Jane go out for the evening and leave Emily in charge. When 14-year-old Tom won't go to bed on time, a fight breaks out between brother and sister.

4. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

It's Valentine's Day, and feeling unsupported in his attempts to discipline the children, Simon starts to lash out at everyone - not an ideal preparation for a romantic evening.

5. Teenage Kicks

The portrait of family life continues with mum Jane and dad Simon locked in a battle of wills with headstrong daughter Emily.

6. Rules

Dad Simon is reluctantly cast in the role of peacemaker as a row between Jane and Emily over 'borrowed' clothes quickly escalates.

7. The Pierced Ear

Fourteen-year-old Tom flexes his adolescent muscles and locks horns with his dad over getting his ear pierced.

8. Wedding Vows

The series concludes with the wedding of eldest Hughes daughter Jessica to her fiancé Pat.

Overview

The Family is a British fly-on-the-wall documentary series that began airing 17 September 2008 on Channel 4. Each season follows a chosen family, consisting of parents and their children. The project aim was to gain a picture of everyday family life in the United Kingdom, as film-maker and director Jonathan Smith attempted to "condense four months of ordinary family life into eight films". The series is a revival of the original series of the same name that first aired in 1974.

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