AustLit

'As a man approaching the end of his life, Manolis hates what the slap is doing to his family. His wife is full of even more vitriol, Hector and Aisha are being torn apart by their split loyalties, and Aisha, still furious with Harry, will have nothing to do with the family. When he notices Hector still harbouring resentment towards Harry after the court case, he tries to reach out to him, but Hector rejects his efforts. Hector, as always, is consumed with his own problems. He's getting anonymous text messages calling him a rapist.

'Sandi pleads with Manolis to talk to Aisha, but even he is not sure he can turn her around. Manolis is further dismayed by the selfishness of his family, when Hector appears indifferent to the news that his godfather has died, and seems put out by Manolis' insistence that he attend the funeral. Manolis reminds him that it is a mark of respect, and important that he attend with Aisha and the children, but only Hector turns up.

'At the funeral, Manolis runs into his old friend, Thanasis, who brags about leaving his sick wife, and his new sex life with a much younger Filipina. Manolis is shocked, but secretly envious that Thanasis has put his own happiness first. His envy turns to irritation though after one too many jibes from Thanasis, and he lashes out, humiliating himself. Hector extricates him from the melee, and they stop for a drink on the way home. Hector confesses his affair to Manolis. Manolis shrugs and tells him to get a divorce; isn't that what everyone else does? But this is not the advice Hector seeks. Manolis then reveals his own secret. Koula was in love with someone else when they married, but Manolis stuck by her because they had a baby on the way. He put family first and is now regretting it. Hector is shocked.

'Manolis decides to meet with Aisha, to try to put an end to the familial disharmony. He implores her to forgive, to come to Greece with the family, but with Harry coming to, Aisha will not be swayed, and he loses it with her. Regretful, he returns home to Koula, feeling feeble and powerless. But to his surprise, Koula is delighted by his taking action, and the ice between them thaws.'

Source: ABC website, http://www.abc.net.au/tv/theslap/
Sighted: 24/11/2011