Fleabag...is it worth a watch?

[CornishTeaTime]

Heard of it but dont know anything about it. Is it worth watching

I didn't like it at first, but in hindsight realised I wasn't supposed to. Fleabag is unlikeable and her sister, cold.

A friend said to stick with it and I did. Fleabag is SO likeable, she's just deeply flawed and traumatised.

It's truly one of the best things ever written and worth sticking with. It's warm and funny and vulnerable and honest. I can see every woman I love reflected in the characters in some way.

I agree re series 2 as well. It's better than the first and well worth waiting for. It's achingly clever.

I like it but don't find it hilarious. Sad if anything. I think it's more of a commentary on family dynamics and grief.

That was me too.

It was just trying too hard. I'm not at all bothered by filthy language and subjects but this was cringey.

It's absolutely brilliant. I agree with a PP that's it's about grief as much as anything. I properly sobbed at the last episode.

Fantastic acting too. Olivia Coleman has never been more poisonously brilliant.

Says it all!

Yes. You'll know whether it's your sort of thing within the first few minutes.

Exactly this!!

And that's one of the reasons the priest storyline was so well done. He was the only one who really "saw" her.

I don't think her character is unlikeable, but she does a lot of unlikeable things as a defence mechanism and in response to the fear that she'll never be accepted/loved. As you get to know her throughout the series it becomes increasingly apparent why.

It's also probably one of the few programmes I've ever seen where sex is presented from a purely female perspective. No societal cleansing nor sanitising through a male gaze. Graphic though, which might put you off

I think fleabag is worth a watch definitely.

But I agree it is not a patch of Motherland.

I take it people are referencing killing Eve becuase it was written by Phoebe W-B?

I'm another one who found Killing Eve overrated.

I'd say I enjoyed Fleabag more than Killing Eve.

I also find Phoebe W-B quite irritating. I don't quite get all the fawning over her and calling her genius. I think she's written some decent stuff but I wouldn't call it genius.

In interviews I find her breathless laughter when she's trying to be speak quite off putting. And I didn't find Fleabag as groundbreaking as some. I found some of the sex and swearing to be a bit try hard and tedious. In saying that, I watched both series and did enjoy them.

It’s my favourite show of all time. She reminds me of myself. I don’t think you’re meant to love her. She’s very annoying at times.

Was hilarious that a sex shop seems to be in Stanmore High Street, when I lived there.

Which shows (preferably but not necessarily) written by women were more groundbreaking? I'd love some recommendations.

I was also late to the Fleabag party and only watched it a couple of weeks ago.

Sheer brilliance, I'm going to watch it again.

This.

I first watched it when my Mum was dying of bowel cancer. We had a very difficult relationship, and I could relate to so much of the complex grief in it and the difficulties with her Dad and step mother. It’s a lot more serious than people give it credit for.

I struggled with the first episode but generally liked the first series. Then was absolutely blown away by the second series. Yes Hot Priest blah blah but for me the absolute standout was the relationship between the sisters. Sian Clifford was utterly incredible in the first episode of series two.

Similarly, I found the sister dynamic very relatable and powerfully drawn.

Managed about 3 minutes. It was toe curling.

I loved it. I don't love her. She is infuriating. But you do get to find out why as the series progress. It's , funny at times and heartbreaking at others. I've known a few young women like her with those remote, judgemental parents and they do get hyper and play up like toddlers for attention. It's very well-observed.

I have only watched the first series and loved it. I thought it was just going to be all sex, but it isn't, it's much much more than that. The writing is brilliant, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is good at both that and acting her role. I am saving the second series, not sure what for, but once I've watched it then I won't be able to watch it 'for the first time' again. Silly, I know, but I wish I could watch The Bridge (Danish version) again for the first time as loved it.

We loved it, and also Killing Eve.

The scene in the second series, where Fleabag and her stepmother ALMOST acknowledge their difficult relationship but... don't. In a Richard Curtis film, that would be the cue for a saccharine moment of redemption. I just love the fact that it doesn't do this.

And of course she's annoying! But the writing and acting is so good, you still really feel for her. She's like a 21st century Emma.

Oh and yes, Motherland is absolute genius.

It's not as good as people say it is OP. There are mildly amusing bits. There is no chemistry between The Vicar and Fleabag, it doesn't bring true at all.

*ring (on the app so can't edit!)

I'd love to rewatch it. Where do I find it?