In the end, Shay’s mum and brother missed out.
For anyone who has been following Channnel 4′s The Family, tonight was the moment we have all been waiting for: the wedding.
Sunny and Shay from The Family
Shay looked so beautiful, and she was surrounded with the care that we have come to expect from the Grewal family. Her cousin and extended family who did attend and help (giving her a house to leave from for the Doli) showed their good character for all to see.
It is easy for viewers like us to stand in judgement on Shay’s mum and brother, but we are just observers. The only thing we can say with confidence is that Shay’s mum and brother missed out on a magical, once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Shay at her happiest and most elegant.
The loss was theirs, but that didn’t make it any easier to see Shay’s tears. The whole family on both sides would have welcomed them even at the last minute. It was truly tragic to see all the secret hopes- of the family AND the viewers- dashed on the day.
It was an especially poignant episode for all MixTogether members. We know too many people, our friends on the site and others, who have experienced this bitter and pointless loss of close family relationships.
The cultural system that convinces some parents to put the opinions of others over their relationships with their own flesh and blood MUST be challenged. It cannot go on in this country.
We would like to pay tribute to Granada, Channel 4 and the whole production team on The Family for their vision and courage in creating this series and bringing these issues to light.
Most of all we would also like to send our best wishes to all of the Grewal family, from the youngest to the oldest, and thank them for what they have given us.
