01
The story
The short version. Family, 80 episodes on YourChannel. It is Ronan's eighth birthday, and his sister Fallon tears open the present meant for him. His mother Lorna says it is just a plastic toy and tells the eight-year-old not to be selfish.
It is Ronan's eighth birthday, and Fallon tears open the box meant for him: a limited-edition princess toy she has wanted forever. Lorna waves it off: 'The sales clerk must have grabbed the wrong box. But it's just a plastic toy anyway. Ronan, you're her big brother. Letting your little sister have it isn't a big deal, right?' Ronan tries: 'But, mom, today is my birthday. That was supposed to be my present.' His mother only doubles down: 'We're family. We don't have to keep score over every little thing. Don't be selfish, Ronan. You're 8 now. You need to learn to be more generous.'
That night Ronan wakes with a pain in his chest and goes to his mother's door. 'Mom, my chest. I don't feel good,' he says. Lorna does not even open the door all the way: 'Get out. Your medicine is outside. Don't wake your sister. She has dance class tomorrow morning.' The next morning Fallon bounces in asking him to play ball, and Lorna sides with the little girl again. She promises Fallon the amusement park instead. Ronan is left alone at the table clutching his chest, whispering the question no one answers: 'Mom, why can't you love me too?' The story only begins there — because Ronan does not leave that house, even after he is gone.
At the cake Lorna hurries him: 'Make a wish, Ronan. Hurry up. Fallon's tired and she needs to get to bed on time.' Ronan closes his eyes and wishes for something no one expects: 'I don't want a toy anymore. I just want to be loved fairly. I want mom to really look at me the way she looks at my sister.' Before he can blow out the candles, Fallon leans in and blows them out first. 'You ruined it,' he says. She shrugs: 'Your wish was probably stupid anyway.' When Ronan raises his hand in frustration, Fallon runs to their mother, and Lorna turns on him: 'I don't want to hear your excuses. You're supposed to use your strength to protect people, not hurt them.'
Series facts checked against the YourChannel listing. Notes cover the opening episodes only; nothing here reveals the ending.