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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:
JemOfAWoman · 07/10/2024 11:35

Couldn't get past the first episode. Horrible bullying behaviour dressed up as parenting!

ButterAsADip · 07/10/2024 11:35

Yeah we watched series 1 & 2 but I can’t keep watching series 3. He’s so… argh what is the word?? Toxic! He’s just like FIL who were NC with.

BloodOfTheRaven · 07/10/2024 11:33

Its not a documentary?

mikado1 · 07/10/2024 11:32

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.

Felt exactly the same. I can't stand him now and yes, she was a wet rag in the face of it. He was awful to his son especially.

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.

Original poster
Overhype · 07/10/2024 11:23

EverybodyLTB · 07/10/2024 11:17

I’m with you on this! I watched all of it to see if it would get better, and it sort of did - but I found the parents behaviours towards the children disgusting at times. I was shocked when I googled to see if the Internet agreed with me, and there was so much praise for how normal it all was. Never have I ever screamed savagely at my children, hurt them or threatened them. Screaming, swearing at, and being threatening are things I don’t think should be ‘normal’ for parents, they should be a sign to seek support. MF character never seems to really address his wrongdoing, just naturally mellows with age.

ETA I divorced my husband for this type of behaviour and was often given a head tilt and a bit of quizzical ‘it’s normal, though’ response from certain family members and acquaintances. Some people really do seem to accept aggressive and nasty behaviour towards their kids as men just being men!

Edited

Yes, and I couldn't get past the murdering "joke", and duvets etc. All of the swearing, and reprimanding the poor little boy for his genuine fears, at 7 years old. I fear some people will watch this, and think "oh my behaviour is not so bad" and excuse themselves because afterall it is passed off as comedy.
I liked the series "kids ruin everything", and was expecting a similar thing, but this made me say "Jesus" out loud. I don't know if they do a split screen if the child actors are there, it was awful even for them as they're so young!

OP posts:
EverybodyLTB · 07/10/2024 11:17

I’m with you on this! I watched all of it to see if it would get better, and it sort of did - but I found the parents behaviours towards the children disgusting at times. I was shocked when I googled to see if the Internet agreed with me, and there was so much praise for how normal it all was. Never have I ever screamed savagely at my children, hurt them or threatened them. Screaming, swearing at, and being threatening are things I don’t think should be ‘normal’ for parents, they should be a sign to seek support. MF character never seems to really address his wrongdoing, just naturally mellows with age.

ETA I divorced my husband for this type of behaviour and was often given a head tilt and a bit of quizzical ‘it’s normal, though’ response from certain family members and acquaintances. Some people really do seem to accept aggressive and nasty behaviour towards their kids as men just being men!

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.

Lorelaigilmore88 · 07/10/2024 11:14

They are both the most annoying characters. I think they've tried to show parents are flawed and do things wrong etc, presumably to be relatable but his character is more than than, hes truly unlikeable and nasty, esp to Luke. And Ally is a drip too. I gave up with it. He's just horrible.