Hi Babyjane, I think you are right. I watched the first series but was struggling to remember some of the 'goings-on' from before. I seem to remember Danny's father had been having an affair with the blonde woman who ran the hotel, that was why Beth was unsettled when she turned up in court.
I think to watch the whole of series 1 on a box set and then start watching series 2 would be ideal for anyone who missed the first series.