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Original poster

To be disturbed by Netflix 'Breeders'

109 replies

Overhype · 07/10/2024 11:10

With Martin Freeman. Is this bordering on abuse dressed up as acceptable parent burn out? It is supposed to be loosely based on Martin Freeman's own experiences? I'm sure it is exaggerated, but I an finding parts of it not funny at all. It just gets good, than an extreme "joke" is thrown in which is to me far too aggressive. I find Ally such a pathetic wet rag of a character, smiling and excusing her husband for his vile swearing rants at their children?
No parents is perfect, but there are certain parts of this that make me question how it even passed as a comedy. I'd imagine some parts of this would be triggering for some people who won't have a clue that they'll take it so far, and are expecting to see a comedic representation of "normal" patenting. It all seems to be excused by Paul saying he loves the kids, as if that cancels out his aggressive nature. When social services get involved it is passed off as being somehow over the top, when in actuality it isn't imo.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 13:23

Petitchat · 07/10/2024 13:17

Same here. Gave it another chance for a second episode but no go.

I was concerned about the kids. Are they actually there in real life whilst the emotional abuse is being acted out, I wonder?

Awful, just awful....

Show quote history

Yes, this is what I was querying further up too. Was it a split screen? The child actors were young to even be on the receiving end of that acting.

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Peclet · 07/10/2024 13:23

I hated it and I love a dark comedy. It felt like a real budget version of Catastrophe (far far superior writing!) with Rob Delany and Sharon Horgan. "Jokes" were so absurd they lost me, no one stays with a person who regularly treats their child like that. Hideous.

Martin Freeman strikes me as a very bitter unlikeable man.

AntiHop · 07/10/2024 13:19

I think it's some of the best TV I've seen in a long time.

It's not supposed to be laugh out loud comedy. It's clear that all the characters, especially Paul, are flawed, and that Paul is behaving unacceptably. No character is excusing his behaviour.

I'm gutted that the final series is not on Netflix.

Petitchat · 07/10/2024 13:17

WoahThreeAces · 07/10/2024 11:37

Another here who couldn't watch past first episode! Awful!

Same here. Gave it another chance for a second episode but no go.

I was concerned about the kids. Are they actually there in real life whilst the emotional abuse is being acted out, I wonder?

Awful, just awful....

MugPlate · 07/10/2024 13:17

Wonder if his children, Joe and Grace, have watched it.

Pigeonqueen · 07/10/2024 13:12

Dh and I didn’t get past the first couple of episodes because we found it so uncomfortable to watch. Really horrible programme.

We’re currently watching Colin from Accounts on iPlayer and that’s much more our cup of tea!

Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 13:12

stayathomer · 07/10/2024 13:09

Watched half an episode then binged Motherland instead. Going to rewatch ML again soon!

I love motherland! I wish they would bring out another season. I also liked the American series "Kids ruin everything." Those are more relatable dysfunction imo.

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Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 13:10

Frowningprovidence · 07/10/2024 13:07

We felt the same. I'm normally quite OK with a bit of dark comedy and I get it's not meant to be a parenting manual and I understand the idea of characters having flaws.

I found the few episodes I watched really uncomfortable viewing and it kept making me think of things we'd learned in safeguarding training.

I completely agree, of course it isn't a handbook or similar as a pp suggested. I have seen other similar comedy series with dysfunctional families, which was nothing like this. I found it uncomfortable to watch.

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stayathomer · 07/10/2024 13:09

Watched half an episode then binged Motherland instead. Going to rewatch ML again soon!

SnazzyShambles · 07/10/2024 13:08

I agree and stopped watching it!

Frowningprovidence · 07/10/2024 13:07

We felt the same. I'm normally quite OK with a bit of dark comedy and I get it's not meant to be a parenting manual and I understand the idea of characters having flaws.

I found the few episodes I watched really uncomfortable viewing and it kept making me think of things we'd learned in safeguarding training.

Anicecumberlandsausage · 07/10/2024 13:06

I didn't particularly like it when it used to be on Sky. My ex husband used to love it. I saw that Freeman's character shared many traits with my exH. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Venturini · 07/10/2024 13:01

SaveItForTheBirds · 07/10/2024 12:51

I've just finished series 2 and I'm really enjoying it. The MF character is very unlikable and some of his behaviour is despicable. But that's the drama element of the show, not everyone has to be a shining example of humanity. Some of the other characters are fantastic, particularly Paul's parents and Ally's dad, who's played by the brilliant Michael Mckean.

I also think it's very funny at times but that humour doesn't come from the abusive nature of Paul's parenting. Nobody's asking you to laugh at a man screaming at his kids. The idea that anyone may use this as some kind of parenting handbook is ridiculous.

👏

SaveItForTheBirds · 07/10/2024 12:51

I've just finished series 2 and I'm really enjoying it. The MF character is very unlikable and some of his behaviour is despicable. But that's the drama element of the show, not everyone has to be a shining example of humanity. Some of the other characters are fantastic, particularly Paul's parents and Ally's dad, who's played by the brilliant Michael Mckean.

I also think it's very funny at times but that humour doesn't come from the abusive nature of Paul's parenting. Nobody's asking you to laugh at a man screaming at his kids. The idea that anyone may use this as some kind of parenting handbook is ridiculous.

Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 12:37

Allfur · 07/10/2024 12:20

Surely lots of comedy shows have pretty abusive behaviors in them, but the point is those behaviours and characters are not rewarded, they hardly behave well in the inbetweeners

I honestly don't believe that the inbetweeners depicting an exaggerated form of teenage behaviour is a fair comparison at all. This is a grown out of control man shouting aggressively, fing and blinding at his young DCs, making reference to murdering and wrapping them in duvets while his wet rag of a wife looks on. I also don't find the behaviour on this show is being passed off as wrong, the show belittles it if anything, and normalises it. Take the social services incident as an example which is completely diminished.

OP posts:
Allfur · 07/10/2024 12:20

Surely lots of comedy shows have pretty abusive behaviors in them, but the point is those behaviours and characters are not rewarded, they hardly behave well in the inbetweeners

Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 12:12

@EverybodyLTB you have just articulated what I meant so much better! That is exactly what I felt was wrong. I expected along the lines of past series' with a similar theme. I didn't expect the sheer level of aggression shown towards kids, that we are supposedly meant to laugh at. The message conveyed here imo, is that this is acceptable, excusable behaviour for sleep deprived parents to engage in. It isn't. I am by no means a "perfect" parent but I did not relate at all to this, and found it disgusting. I am surprised it is being shown by Netflix tbh.

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EverybodyLTB · 07/10/2024 12:02

“It’s not a documentary” yes, this is true! Crucially, though, the way it was marketed and reviewed used words like ‘real’ ‘honest’ and ‘relatable’ and so did lots of the comments singing its praises.

It’s been sold to people as a real slice of life as a parent, somehow saying/showing what we all experience but can’t or won’t articulate. I’ve been seeing it billed as some sort of truth bomb that anyone with children should watch and enjoy because we all know kids are maddening little shits. Kids turn us into toxic bastards don’t they, haha!! It’s meant to be a dark comedy, but it’s mostly just quite sad.

theresabluebirdinmyheart · 07/10/2024 11:49

Blahblah34 · 07/10/2024 11:16

Couldn't watch past the first episode and have never been able to look at Martin Freeman in the same way since. Abusive behaviour dressed up as comedy.

Exactly the same, I couldn’t watch a grown man shout and swear at children.

Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 11:41

KrisAkabusi · 07/10/2024 11:39

I'd imagine some parts of this would be triggering for some people who won't have a clue that they'll take it so far, and are expecting to see a comedic representation of "normal" patenting.

So all comedy has to be safe and "normal"? That's ridiculous. Comedy in particular has always pushed boundaries. Nobody has a right not to be offended, particularly when it's not actually being offensive against any group.

No, it isn't that. For me it was dressed up as something it wasn't. Abuse passed off as comedy to me is never ever acceptable. Yes comedy is supposed to push boundaries, but imo certain parts of this crossed them. I have seen many many dark comedies, but this didn't sit right with. Thank you for your opinion, which is valid.

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ButterAsADip · 07/10/2024 11:41

Barleysugar86 · 07/10/2024 11:26

I enjoyed it. It has a lot of that situational comedy build up British comedy is so good for. The bit with Martin Freeman in the hospital with his mum really cracked me up. Each to their own I suppose. I never understood the hype with the Royale Family or shameless but I know they were popular.

Oh wow I didn’t even know it’s meant to be a comedy! Will have a look at the Netflix categorisation.

KrisAkabusi · 07/10/2024 11:39

I'd imagine some parts of this would be triggering for some people who won't have a clue that they'll take it so far, and are expecting to see a comedic representation of "normal" patenting.

So all comedy has to be safe and "normal"? That's ridiculous. Comedy in particular has always pushed boundaries. Nobody has a right not to be offended, particularly when it's not actually being offensive against any group.

Imalongtimepostingmum · 07/10/2024 11:38

I thought it was outstanding. Best thing I've seen in years. I binged it.

But, the character was horrific and definitely needed more therapy and I was appalled the way he told the daughter off at motorway services.

I laughed so hard when Ally asked if she could buy HRT on the dark web.

WoahThreeAces · 07/10/2024 11:37

Another here who couldn't watch past first episode! Awful!

Figgygal · 07/10/2024 11:37

Think I didn't watch past ep 1 of season 3 I felt exactly the same he was just abusive to the eldest child (can't remember his name). There was nothing funny about it I felt really uncomfortable hated both parents and couldn't believe it was presented as a comedy or normal.
Grim