[s1e2] Moving On – Free & Recent

The narrative centers on Colin, a man who was severely bullied during his own school days. Traumatized by these past experiences, he is determined to ensure his son, Andrew, does not suffer a similar fate. However, Colin’s method of protection is flawed: he pressures Andrew to "stand up for himself" with such boorish intensity that the boy begins to internalize aggression as the only valid response to social pressure. The Transformation

"Bully" illustrates that moving on is often an internal process of unlearning. Colin had to move on from his identity as a victim before he could stop projecting that fear onto his son. By the episode's conclusion, McGovern suggests that true strength lies not in the ability to strike back, but in the wisdom to break the cycle of violence before it consumes the family. [S1E2] Moving On

In Jimmy McGovern’s British anthology series Moving On , each episode serves as a standalone drama focusing on a pivotal turning point in a character's life. The second episode, titled "Bully," examines the complex relationship between toxic masculinity, parenting, and the cyclical nature of aggression. Through the story of Colin, a father who inadvertently transforms his son into the very thing he fears, the episode highlights how the inability to "move on" from personal trauma can poison the next generation. The Root of Conflict The narrative centers on Colin, a man who