GayTV Recap: Ackley Bridge (Episode 3x8)
Naveed had no idea that Cory had dropped out, putting his teachers on a mission to help him get his life together, including finding him a job in a restaurant, putting his latent cooking skills to good use and providing him some focus. Naveed was busy trying to figure out funding for his plans to attend drama school in Manchester. When his father suggested remortgaging their home, Naveed refused to allow them to put themselves into debt for the sake of his dream. He met with his other bestie Nasreen, who was dealing with her own conflict as she crumbled during exams, ending her Oxford dreams.
After telling her about his drama school hopes being dashed as well, Nasreen suggested he put on a comedy show to raise money for his move to Manchester. Naveed accepted her advice and took the stage in front of a small audience. His comedy, however, didn't land with the older people in attendance, as his jokes about racial tensions and struggles were met with silence. He continued with the black comedy, but later learned that he had raised virtually nothing to help his cause.
Naveed was ready to give up once again, but Nasreen refused to allow that to happen. She told him that it didn't matter if he didn't have money. She told him that if he had ambition to succeed in his dream then money didn't matter. He could make it happen. Naveed wasn't able to get onboard with her optimism until she revealed that she would move to Manchester with him and help him pay his bills so he could attend drama school. Naveed was surprised to hear her so ready to move on from her Oxford hopes, but happy to know his best friend would be going with him.
Nasreen's decision, however, didn't sit well with her mother. While her girlfriend Sam agreed to go with the duo, Nasreen's mother tried to urge her to think before making a big mistake by giving up on Oxford. They all went to Manchester to look at an apartment, though Nasreen's mother remained reluctant. She did reveal that she just wanted her daughter to be happy. They soon found themselves taking in some of the local gay culture, including a nightclub. Naveed assured Nasreen's mother that he would look after Nas after their move.
Back at school, the teens got their final exam results and Nasreen confirmed that she had bombed enough that Oxford was no longer an option. They all made plans to celebrate finals with their friends. They arrived at the restaurant where Cory was working, leading Naveed to take the time to check-in on him. He told Cory about the group's plans to go to the nearby club after the celebratory dinner, suggesting he join them. While Cory seemed happy to see Naveed speaking to him again, he told him that he had to decline to focus on work.
Nasreen took the time to make a toast during the gathering, as Cory couldn't seem to stay away. He and Naveed locked eyes for a moment, as Naveed noticed him watching the group. He gave Cory a pleasant nod, but then turned his attention back to Nasreen as she talked about the trials and tribulations that they had all been through in recent times. She talked about how they all overcame it, thanks in part to their friendships. This struck a cord with Naveed who looked back at Cory only to see he had left.
While the group enjoyed some dance and drink at the club, Naveed appeared disinterested. He returned to the restaurant as Cory was heading home. He offered to walk him, surprising Cory. Naveed told him that he had been meaning to visit him to check on him, but Cory questioned whether that was true. He figured Naveed would feel pretty pleased to see Cory down in the dumps, getting his comeuppance for his behavior. Naveed told him that would never be true. He told Cory that their teacher had taken advantage of him, but Cory grew angry, saying that he loved what he had with her.
When Cory said that he was close to having everything he wanted because school would be over and she would leave her husband. Naveed told him that they both know that was never going to happen. This got Cory angry and he grabbed Naveed screaming at him. This led to an emotional breakdown as Cory came to terms with his actions, confiding in Naveed about how stupid he has been and how his reckless actions have destroyed his life.
Cory said that now all of his friends were moving on with their lives but he was being left behind with nothing. Naveed pulled him into a hug, telling him that what happened was not his fault. He promised Cory that he was not going to be left behind, as Cory cried in his arms.
The next day brought more news for Naveed as he got a visit from Nasreen, revealing that her mother traveled to Oxford and managed to get her spot secured at the university despite her exam results. Naveed was amazed, but then came to the realization that it meant Nas would not join him in Manchester to help with his financial woes. She apologized to him, but Naveed told her that he hadn't forgotten what she said about ambition and he was going to get there some other way. His mother walked in and they told her the news. She could see the disappointment on Naveed's face, though he said he would figure something else out.
After saying a final goodbye to Nasreen, Naveed returned to his house where he found his parents had laid out some of his mother's finest jewelry. He was left curious until they revealed they were giving them to him to help pay for his move to Manchester. Naveed was overcome as his mother told him that his life hadn't turned out the way she had always hoped, but she was wrong and they wanted him to follow his dreams.
For his final scene, Naveed waited outside the school until Cory emerged, revealing to him that he had spoken with the teachers and gotten himself re-enrolled to repeat his final year. Naveed was happy to hear he had made a good decision. Cory offered for them to hug it out and Naveed obliged, solidifying the mending of their friendship before Naveed's departure for Manchester.
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