In their idyllic Lake District home, the extended Hughes family reunites for Joe's fifth birthday party. But tensions soon rise among Alison, Paul and patriarch Maurice when newly-arrived Eddie and Nicola suggest Joe has communication problems.
Following Joe's autism diagnosis Paul, Alison and Rebecca clash over how best to deal with his first weeks at school. Eddie is troubled by thoughts of Nicola's ex-lover Michael, and Maurice tries hard to avoid his singing teacher Louise.
Alison gets a blast from her past when speech and language therapist Maggie arrives to assess Joe. For the family, it is time to face some uncomfortable truths.
An impromptu attempt to win Joe some friends leads to a breakthrough moment for Alison, but how long can it last? Maurice and Louise come to blows over Joe, while Rebecca turns to Eddie for relationship advice.
Alison is hit hard when Joe's helper Maya looks set to be deported. As Paul and Eddie discover their wives both want different things, Maurice is left kicking himself for letting Louise go.
It's the launch day of Paul's gastropub, and the family gathers to open its doors. While Maurice gets to grips with the half-done décor, Alison determines to reconcile with Paul. As Luke's romantic gesture falls flat with Rebecca, Nicola has some shock news for Eddie. Seeing Joe is in the way, Maurice takes him on a visit to Louise's - but within minutes the day has taken an unexpected turn.
When Joe says the A word for the first time, Paul and Alison know they must talk to him about his autism. Maurice is catapulted back into the life of Louise, and Eddie and Nicola have a secret to keep.
Life for the Hughes family turns upside down as Joe starts at a specialist school in Manchester. Rebecca halts her plans with James, and Louise confides in a stunned Maurice.
Paul makes a connection with Sophie when he takes her and Mark to a gig. Louise clashes with Maurice, and Eddie gears up for date night with his Manchester girlfriend Holly.
Rebecca sends Paul and Alison on a weekend away to help them reconnect. Maurice has an existential crisis during a fell race, and Eddie is determined to teach Joe to ride a bike.
Paul's deepest feelings about his son's autism emerge when Nicola makes a film of Joe's behaviours. Eddie reaches D-Day with Holly, while Maurice makes a shocking proposal.
An end-of-year show at Joe's old school brings his family members together. As Joe takes the stage, it is clear what they mean to him. But can they remain the family he knows?
Unsettled by a change in his life, Joe rejects his headphones. Maurice tries to solve all his family’s problems, Alison clashes with a stranger, and Rebecca has some big news.
Joe causes concern at school as he becomes fixated on his teacher, Heather. Paul helps Mark in his bid to join the army, and Rebecca sets the family straight about her pregnancy.
Maurice and Eddie lock horns on a kids camping trip. Paul tries to forge a connection with Joe. Rebecca interrupts Alison’s date with Ben to confront her about motherhood.
Alison brings the family together when she organises a sponsored walk for Joe. Paul gets a surprise from Sarah, and Maurice feels rejected by Ralph.
Louise and Maurice are shaken when an unwelcome visitor arrives on the eve of Ralph’s wedding. Mark and Joe test Paul and Sarah’s liberalism when they strike out on their own.
When Rebecca goes into labour, it falls to Joe to help his sister. Alison makes a decision about Ben, Paul makes Mark an offer, and Maurice has a big question for Louise.
