AIBU to think ‘Normal People’ is just a bit....shit?

[Returnofangeldelight]

Honestly, everyone has been raving about it, especially during lockdown so last week I thought I’d give it a go.

I’m now watching episode 9 and in all honesty, I’m just sat here bored of Marianne’s sulky, miserable face and bored of all the drama and angst about absolutely nothing?!

I know there’s a few episodes left so I’m really hoping something actually HAPPENS, otherwise it really is 12 episodes of hardly anything happening?

AIBU? What am I missing? (No spoilers please)

Ahem:
there was at least one scene where his limp, spent penis was in view

@Ellisandra
I'm in no way obsessed, obviously, but there were 2 scenes like this 🙂

To all of you who don't like it ... you're wrong.

It was just the most amazing beautiful thing I've ever seen. All the acting was superb, not just Paul Mescal & Daisy EJ, all the other actors too.

But the cinematography, the detail, lighting ... I got consumed by it & spent time morosely wishing I had talent like these people 😂

It was very intense. But so relatable. And they nailed so much about Irish society.

I'd read the book & found the writing remarkable but the characters unlikeable. They are much more sympathetically portrayed in the TV series.

Noooo @Deadringer

she made it clear that it was a physical thing

Not at all. She saw something in him that she wished for herself; that ability to be liked & accepted, to 'belong'. Remember she had nobody.

It wasn't physical only, for either of them.

they nailed so much about Irish society Really? I honestly thought it could have been set anywhere.

Dido

Connor
Surely even with one episode & one chapter you could remember his name is Connell?!?

Really? I honestly thought it could have been set anywhere

I don't think so.

For example, the Trinity thing was huge. (Not sure if you're Irish, Deadringer?) say, going to UCD or UL couldn't have worked.

It has a status & culture all of its own.

The themes were universal sure, but it was so specifically Irish - the debs, the Leaving Cert, grinds, the points system, schols...I love that they didn't change any of that to appeal to a US audience (it was shown on Hulu)

agonyauntie

It's utter shite and drivel.

I'm sorry, but we are no longer friends.

@EarringsandLipstick

Noooo *@Deadringer*

she made it clear that it was a physical thing

Not at all. She saw something in him that she wished for herself; that ability to be liked & accepted, to 'belong'. Remember she had nobody.

It wasn't physical only, for either of them.

I meant from his viewpoint. We know how messed up she is, but outwardly she appears to be someone who gives no fucks. She told Connell that watching him during the match made her want to have sex with him, or watch him having sex, (or words to that affect). Connell is smart but not particularly emotionally intelligent i don't think.

@EarringsandLipstick

Dido

Connor
Surely even with one episode & one chapter you could remember his name is Connell?!?

Er excuse me. I was quoting another poster who got his name wrong. It would improper to correct another poster's comment when quoting. So may I suggest you re- write your telling off addressed to the actual poster who called him "Connel" ?

In my own post , where I describe him as having less personality than an Easter Island stone head I quite clearly called him "Connor"

I couldn't get into it at all! We watched 2 or 3 episodes- I can't actually remember- it was that boring!

oh sorry, sorry his name is Connel? I had it mind it was Connor He is so unbelievably tedious and unattractive I really couldn't care less what he is called.

I'll stick with calling him "Mr. Easter Island Stone Head " then.

EarringsandLipstick yes i am Irish. I mean yes it is specificially Irish, but you could swap the debs for a prom, Trinity for Harvard, etc and it could be about teens anywhere, dealing with tricky relationships, peer pressure and societal expectations.

I struggled with the book but enjoyed the series. Watching it made their motivations a lot clearer including her reactions to growing up in an abusive family. I thought their relationship was lovely (eventually)

@DidoLamenting

🤦🏻‍♀️

In my own post , where I describe him as having less personality than an Easter Island stone head I quite clearly called him "Connor"

His name is Connell

(I was quoting you, not anyone else. You called him 'Connor'. Twice!)

Sorry Dido cross post with your next one.

Dead
I agree the themes are transferable but no, I don't think you could swap out locations / language and it would work.

So much of the beauty of the series was it's Irishness, from what's not said, to cultural norms, to the landscape.

Amazing.

She told Connell that watching him during the match made her want to have sex with him, or watch him having sex

@Deadringer

Still disagree.

The start of everything is where she tells him she likes him. She does that in the context of telling him that he's the only person in school who talks to her.

The sex comment after watching him play was one aspect, and indicates her physical attraction but from the outset, Connell is a way for Marianne to feel 'normal' and a sense of belonging. They talk seriously from the start.

She knows she's an outsider, always. It's never just physical for her. Or him.

Gosh you really loved it Earrings. I enjoyed it and am thrilled that it did so well for everyone involved, but for me it didn't really live up to the hype.

I just didnt get it. I found it very hard to believe they would have carried on after school. You didnt see them have fun or even conversations together really and because they were both so sulky I just couldnt believe it

YANBU Both the book and tv series were pretentious meh!

I know Deadringer I got a bit obsessed truthfully 🤭

I didn't watch any TV at all in lockdown; that was the only thing I saw, but I was definitely a bit over-invested!!

I read the book earlier this year and honestly I was furious that I had wasted hours of my life with it. I felt like I needed to get to the end in case it got good but it didn't. The most boring, unrealistic, self-indulgent shite I've read in a long time.

Haven't watched the show because the book was SO bad.

I feel a surge of rage thinking about how much I hate the book

Pretentious - yes, absolutely. That sums it up.

I LOVED this. Until the last episode. Now I do not.

Friends of mine loved it because it reminded them of their youth etc.... For me they were way too comfortable at University - drinking wine not snakebites etc.... And they definitely weren't 'normal' people. They were academically able, athletic (him) and attractive.. Not sure how believable they were as characters. Also agree it could have been set anywhere.

I was the same
I tried , I really did

But he pisses me off so much in the first few episodes

And their sex scenes , I was like ‘get a room’
For me it was awkward rather than erotic