The Lush Life

Our Columnist Raises Her Glass To Patrick Melrose

- Emily Hirshey​​​​​​​

LIKE ANY GREAT BIT OF Journalism™, this begins with a couple disclaimers.

Disclaimer #1: This is a “binge watch” column which, theoretically, entails consuming hours upon hours of a show’s many seasons in a short period of time. However, occasionally I’m blessed with what is more a “snack” than a binge: the limited series. This month’s subject, Patrick Melrose, clocking in at a mere five episodes, qualifies as such a snack, which I got to enjoy over the course of a week, like an adult human who showers and sleeps. And this snack tasted British and divine, like tea cakes soaked in brandy and colonialism.

Disclaimer #2: This show is based on books! Remember books? They’re those brick-like accessories currently propping up your television to minimize glare.

But before we entered peak showverload, people used to read those books! I know it sounds insane, but without Edward St. Aubyn’s five semi-autobiographical Patrick Melrose novels, this series wouldn’t exist. And I wouldn’t have gotten to look at Benedict Cumberbatch’s beautiful, emotive face pass through different milestones in his life playing the eponymous character as he struggles with substance abuse; the death of his abusive father, David (Hugo Weaving); and the aging of his cruel, absentee mother, Eleanor (Jennifer Jason Leigh). So thank the lords of British literature for helping me work smarter, not harder, because I was able to