What We Did on Our Holiday

Doug and Abi are separated because Doug was unfaithful to Abi. They have reunited temporarily for the sake of celebrating Doug's father Gordie's 75th birthday, but the tension from this recent betrayal lingers throughout the trip, affecting their interactions and their children's emotional state.

The children burn Gordie's body at the beach because Gordie explicitly told them he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered at sea. He explained this wish during his beach outing with the grandchildren, specifically to avoid any dispute between his sons Doug and Gavin after his death. The children honored this wish by building a makeshift raft from his truck and sending it ablaze into the ocean, following Viking traditions Gordie had shared with them.

Gordie tells the children about his Viking ancestry and expresses his wish to be cremated at sea during their beach trip.

Social services become involved because Agnes Chisholm, a social worker, investigates the children's conduct following Gordie's death. The media sensationalizes the children's Viking-style funeral as abnormal and neglectful, suggesting the parents allowed or encouraged dangerous behavior. During her investigation, Agnes interviews Lottie, whose honest but troubling reflections about her parents' separation and family instability raise concerns about the children's welfare.

Gavin collapses in Doug's arms because he is overwhelmed by grief when they see Gordie's pick-up truck partially consumed by the tide at the beach. This moment of shared sorrow breaks down the longstanding rivalry and tension between the brothers, allowing Gavin to finally grieve openly and Doug to provide comfort, marking a turning point in their relationship.

The rivalry between Doug and Gavin is established from their arrival, with subtle competition for dominance.

The video that Mickey and Jess accidentally discover shows Margaret, Gavin's wife, lashing out aggressively at a fellow shopper in a store. This revelation exposes that Margaret has anger management issues and struggles, contradicting the polished public image she presents. The discovery triggers introspection throughout the household, helping Doug and Abi understand that every family has hidden struggles.

Abi decides to stay in the family home rather than move to Newcastle because the experience of facing危机 together has made her realize what truly matters. After navigating the chaos of Gordie's death, the social services investigation, and public scrutiny, she wants to keep her family rooted in their current location. She tells Doug she wants a civil divorce but insists on staying together for the children's sake, prioritizing family stability over relocation.

The tension between Doug and Gavin stems from a longstanding rivalry for their father Gordie's approval and affection. Upon arriving at Gavin's mansion, the two brothers engage in a subtle but fierce competition for dominance, with Gavin seeming to hold the upper hand in his opulent setting. This rivalry reflects years of sibling competition, though their dynamic shifts after Gordie's death when they finally reconcile.

Lottie retreats to the beach after Gordie dies because she is tasked with the heartbreaking job of informing her family about his death. Overwhelmed by grief and the weight of this responsibility, she flees to the beach where she finds her siblings already grappling with their grandfather's loss. There, the three children share their profound respect for Gordie's wishes and decide together to honor them.

Public opinion shifts in favor of Doug and Abi after the media initially sensationalizes the children's actions as neglectful, but Doug and Abi publicly advocate for compassion, explaining the children's pure intentions and Gordie's explicit wishes. As the truth emerges about the family dynamics, including the discovery of Margaret's hidden struggles, the public becomes more sympathetic. Agnes Chisholm ultimately concludes her investigation favorably, allowing the children to remain with their parents.

Gordie wants to be cremated at sea for two reasons: first, he tells his grandchildren about his Viking ancestry and explains that a sea burial follows those traditions. Second, he explicitly states he wants this to prevent his two sons, Doug and Gavin, from fighting over his estate or burial arrangements after his death. He knows their rivalry could escalate without a clear directive, so he chooses a solution that brings the family together rather than dividing them further.

The children use Gordie's truck to build the raft because they are determined to fulfill his exact wishes. Gordie specifically told them he wanted to be cremated and scattered at sea, and he mentioned during their beach outing that his pick-up truck was available for them to use. Rather than abandoning his request due to practicality, the children creatively use the truck itself as the foundation for their Viking-style funeral raft, showing their commitment to honoring his memory exactly as he asked.

Gordie tells the children his truck is theirs to use and expresses his desire for a sea burial.