The BEST episodes of The A Word
Every episode of The A Word ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The A Word!
The various generations of the Hughes family, who all love, work and fight like any other clan, find they must learn to communicate all over again when the youngest member is diagnosed with autism.
#1 - Episode 6
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/12/2017
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?
#7 - Episode 6
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/26/2016
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.
#8 - Episode 1
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/22/2016
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.
#9 - Episode 2
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/29/2016
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.
#10 - Episode 5
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/19/2016
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.
#11 - Episode 4
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/12/2016
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.
#12 - Episode 3
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/5/2016
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.
#13 - Episode 5
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/5/2017
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.
#14 - Episode 4
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/28/2017
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.
#15 - Episode 1
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/7/2017
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.
#17 - Episode 2
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/14/2017
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.
#18 - Episode 3
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/21/2017
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.