The Scheme (Scotland)

[AgentProvocateur]

The scheme is on again tonight. Episodes 1 and 2 this week, then the pulled episodes next week. I've got my judgy pants on!

[NettoSuperstar]

Yes, and always really expensive ones!

I shop in right classy places me. If it's not Cydebank or Glasgow then it's Dumpbarton

[expatinscotland]

Oh, Netto, I shop in Greenock and Port Glasgow. Say no more :o.

When I was there last, on Tuesday, there was a coach tour of retired full of older N. Americans, and a cruise ship full of Europeans who'd docked there for the day.

LOL, if you could have seen their faces! They were a picture.

[AgentProvocateur]

I worked in Greenock for about six months, and some parts of it are gorgeous - those enormous big houses with lovely gardens. And on a sunny day, the drive down from Glasgow is lovely (if you close your eyes when you go through Port Glasgow). I still remember Greenock with fondness (much to DH's amusement)

[MadameOvary]

My first BF was Glasweigan. He described Port Glasgow as a dump. He was raised in Govan.

[NettoSuperstar]

OMG coach tours and cruises let the people off in Greenock?

How funny, I'm tempted to get the boat over just to hang out.
It sounds v entertaining

Maybe they think they took a wrong turn on the way to the castle?

We get tourists here, and they think it's all so lovely, and Scottish, and cute except for the odd person..........

Well Mr Birmingham, castles tend not to be in Coffee shops, and it's not really my fault that we don't serve Heinz Chicken soup.
I'm glad in the end you enjoyed it. I spat in it, and thanks for your 5p tip:)

[expatinscotland]

Port Glasgow is a dump. But so is Govan. :o

You are right, Agent, parts of it are beautiful and the country around it is gorgeous.

But sadly, there are a lot of neds there.

Ever see Ken Loach's 'Sweet 16'?

[MadameOvary]

Expat - my point exactly re Govan.
Although Govan is one of the oldest areas in Glasgow (IYSWIM) and has some gorgeous old buildings, that's not what you remember, sadly.

[expatinscotland]

I just had to submit another written complaint about my schemie downstairs neighbour straight outta Compton Greenock.

So sick of her incessant, loud, thumping bass, which she doesn't think is loud, of course, because she's a ned just like these folks on 'The Scheme'. She simply can't be in the flat at all without loud dance 'music'.

Nope, can't get it up to feel any sympathy for her, 17-years-old, pregnant and drinking Buckfast and smoking away. After living in close proximity to people like this, they can take a long walk on a short pier for all I care.

Do drugs, get drunk, grow weed, whatever, just shut up about it - which of course, most neds can't do, and so many get violent whilst drunk.

It gets tiresome really quickly.

The sooner she gets moved on, the better. It's temporary housing and I've already complained once in writing, so she's got one more chance after this. I copy the HA, too, on every complaint, so they don't take her on as a tenant and she makes someone else's life miserable with her stupid parties.

[HeidiKat]

I used to work in the shopping centre in Wester Hailes, some of the characters in this show ring a bell from my time there, we once had a pregnant 12 year old in shopping for stuff for her hospital bag.

How the hell did that Kay get a house that size when there are only 3 of them living there, it looks like it must have at least 4 bedrooms and a loft conversion too, it must be a council house and not privately owned cos as far as I can see all she does is lie in her bed and smoke, can't even be arsed to take her kid to school.

[expatinscotland]

I feel so sorry for Libby.

But Chris, when he said his folks couldn't talk (about his smack use) because 'They're heavy steamers' was the nail hitting the head.

Btw, they use blues to prolong and intensify their fix.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

HeidiKat, it is indeed a "bought house"; in the second episode she talked about "selling up" and in tonight's, there was a "For Sale" board outside the house. But I have no idea how she pays the mortgage, though she was previously employed.

[expatinscotland]

She might not have had a mortgage, particularly if she grew up in the house with her parents. She'd have inherited the tenancy and right to buy if her parents hadn't bought it already and paid about £8000, maybe, for it.

Then, she sold up and, instead of moving to a nicer neighbourhood for the betterment of her life and child, she went to another scheme.

Everytime I think I'm a loser, I think about her. She's the definition of the word.

[sb6699]

I was almost in tears along with Libby last night.

That Kaye is such a hypocrite, taking in all those waifs and strays then throwing out her pregnant daughter.

Watching it is making me depressed, some of those people are just going to drift through life full of drink/drugs, no intention of getting a job or doing anything fulfilling and dont seem to WANT to change anything about their lives.

I grew up on a similar scheme and couldnt bloody wait to get out of there.

[expatinscotland]

Kaye had no business having children at all.

And Chris, he sort of hit the nail on the head when his family were grousing about his heroin use by pointing out that, well, his parents are drunks.

What do these people expect?

How is it a surprise that, well, you're a junkie/alkie/whatever substance who lives in a dive and hang out with nothing but neds and SURPRISE! your kid turns out a ned, too.

[AgentProvocateur]

Who was the woman who appeared with a bottle of schnapps in the morning and poured it into two mugs - was that Libby's daughter? Kay is insufferable smug and self-righteous, and she has no cause to be. She'll be making some other neighbour's life hell now. And probably still not getting out her bed to take the wean to school. She is a disgrace.

[expatinscotland]

That was my thought exactly, AP. She's a lowlife. And once again, smoking away in bed.

[TheCrackFox]

I canot stand Kaye. Her neglectful parenting certainly contributed towards her DD's pregnancy but she is such a loving mother she throws her out to live with a heroin addict and a bunch of drunks.

Kaye should be ashamed of herself but i would imagine she has never felt a moment of guilt in her entire life.

[expatinscotland]

At the end last night.

'Steven didn't go to college. Instead, he went to prison.'

[TheCrackFox]

I have decided I just find this whole programme deeply depressing. There is not enough money in the World to sort out these issues.

1 There seemed to be no decent dads anywhere.
2 Girls seemed to not mind getting pregnant to any old arsehole. I don't understand why they have such low standards.

As an example, Chris got given a lovely house (I'm sorry but he did not deserve it) and spent all his baby's money on heroin.

I don't know what happened to Steve's family in the past but all of them where complete losers. You would have thought that with 3 children at least one of them would want more out of life than prison and drugs.

[expatinscotland]

No decent dads and no sense of personal responsibility.

Kay was right about one thing, though, for a smackhead, smack will always come first.

[sb6699]

Watching it last night, I thought for once there was a little glimmer of hope - Steven going to college. He seemed so excited at the prospect and I found myself actually willing him to do well at his interview so he could do something with his life.

Then all of a sudden he doesnt go and ends up in prison for GBH - ffs!

"for a smackhead, smack will always come first" - probably the only realistic thing that woman has said so far.

[mrsmon]

libbys daughter was in girls behind bars last year, set in cornton vale . poor woman!

[expatinscotland]

Marvin actually appears to be drug-free.

[expatinscotland]

I think Libby was born to people who may also have been on drugs, so had children with a person who was similar, then had kids who in turn turned to drugs, alcohol, violence and prison.

Kerry seems to think going to prison is funny.

[expatinscotland]

Having worked in a meth clinic, he does appear drug-free.