oooh The SLap anyone watching?

[grumpypants]

Bbc 4 - I'm already not liking it! And I did like the book

I think Aish will get her own episode and the slipping accent will be explained.
I really agree with the cultural difference analysis.

Re Cultural analysis - I think this programme paints a picture that many can identify with. It is also about identity on a more general level as well.

I watched the 3rd episode-harry last night. It clearly started off wanting to paint him very badly-cheating on his wife,domestic violence,drug taking etc. But then explained his anger by hinting that he is merely parroting what he learned as a child from his father.

The sex is awful though!-the wome just seen to start moaning or writhing as soon as he just looked at them!.

I am most looking forward to seeing the rosie episode-I presume this will be the last one? As at the moment I find her completely unbearable and frankly a bit unhinged.

I don't find her unbearable yet, just unhinged. I'm not sure why she agreed to the meeting- when Harry first apologised she clearly had no interest in even listening to him. Did she want the meeting just so that she could swear at him?

What I find most bizarre is that she's obviously an over protective mother and yet she's happy to shriek and scream hysterically while clutching her poor child in her arms.
Surely seeing his mother in a panicked/OTT/out of control state is going to be more traumatic for that poor boy that what actually happened?

Last night when Harry threw the chair violently- she should have calmly said 'Gary call the police, Harry leave my house this instant' instead of screeching wildly.

As for Harry you forgot the racist comments about Aisha. I'm not sure Hector would be so nice to his cousin if he knew how he talked about his wife to his own wife (fucking black b*tch) and to his son- that comment about the girls in the rap video was shocking because he created an association in his son's mind that's going to stick forever.

Also methinks that trip to Greece is NEVER going to happen...

Good show though. Interesting and v well acted.

Harry's episode was very interesting. I interpreted his wife (Sandy) moaning in pleasure whilst giving Harry a bj as part of her willingness to please him. Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps that's how the writer thinks women actually react whilst giving head. Pfft!

Sandy was such a bird in a gilded cage. Beautiful house, immaculate clothes - but always stuck behind the kitchen 'island' unpacking the dishwater.

anon - so true about him creating an association of Aisha with 'whore' to his son.

And why didn't he fire that guy who ripped him off? Because he is really a nice guy? Or was there some sense of loyalty to a young guy who is also from the Greek/aussie community?

Think Rosie is next or Connie (that's how it goes in the book I think)

Then Aisha and the young lad I've forgot his name

Connie is next I think-she hasnt grabbed me yet-far too wishy washy to be a true lolita.

Is she actually sleeping with Hector or is it on the verge of happening?

I just realised I wrote 'dishwater' - not 'dishwasher'.

Off to find iplayer and a moment to myself...

just watched the Connie one. You can tell this is written by a gay man. The women are either smug harridans or self-absorbed airheads. Bizarrely, am finding Harry the most likable overall, despite his failings.

orangina it IS on iplayer.

Just watched Harry. I'm liking this even more, as the oppositions and conflicts develop.

I wonder if they're going to do a counter-attack in court - Harry tries to apologise nicely but yerwoman's screaming and swearing at him and using the child against him was at worst abusive and at best provocative.

His sexual and emotional habits are drawn from an abusive childhood (don't get me wrong his behaviour is abominable) - but how many men do we know that secretly admire that perspective on masculinity and some of those behaviours that match? I'd like to hear from some MEN about what they think of this.

He did try to make amends, he tried not to be angry. You can see he tries. And in defense, the hippy parents DON'T try. They deliberately attack him, make the choice to attack - they tried to go on TV and expose him, wouldn't accept his apology.

I like the pace of this and the 'epic/fable' connotations. (IYSWIM)

Yes... the thing about Harry though is that he is not really sorry. He does not get what the fuss is about. He just wants it all to go away. He actually makes my blood run cold because he is so entitled and controlling.

Yes he is entitled and controlling. What he didn't do was make a choice in slapping that boy. It was a moment of passion, unacceptable, but compare that behaviour to the mother who is doing everything she can to bring this man's life down - makes you wonder who is the bully.

I think smacking was made illegal in Australia years ago. I remember an Australian friend about 15 years ago asked if I agreed with smacking and I didn't think it was a big problem at all. Sje was horrified! (I am too, looking back) 15 right on years later, (and 2 kids) I have completely turned that around on its head and wouldn't accept it in anyone. So in The Slap, culture and education are what determines abusive behaviour - different cultures have different types.

Harry is a complete twat though. Alpha male +++ of the very worst kind. A monster and a dinosaur, but he just can't help himself - despite him trying to change, it's just too late..

Do we agree that he was lying to his lawyer when he said he reacted because Hugo was threatening his son? It's getting me confused now. I seem to remember Hugo not wanting to give the bat back, Harry tries to take it, Hugo kicks him in the shin and Harry slaps him.
He wasn't protecting his son, he was reacting to the child's outburst.

I do think his apology is sincere to a certain degree. After talking to his uncle it seems that he really wants to try to not be his father and the apology is part of that.
I don't think he could countersue in court after his outburst and the broken chair. Yes Rosie was being provocative but he got wound up be quad she was actually telling the truth (about him hitting his wide). Being yelled at isn't illegal- first he slapped her child, then he broke furniture in her house. Not good.

About Rosie. I can't wait to see her episode. She seems all normal with Anouk's mum but she seems to have severe issues when it comes to her son. And men.

Lastly why does Anouk like Harry? Does she respond to the Alpha male thing? Because after last week I was giving her more credit. At least she called him on loyalty. That was a good putdown.

Hugo was swinging the bat round and round at head height so technically could be seen as threatening. They are both minors, so both as non-culpable as each other I would say in legal terms.

I think her behaviour was extremely vindictive. To not accept an apology, to go to the police, to threaten to go to the press, these are all carefully planned and thought out. She called him a monster, an animal, etc etc.

Yes, Anouk's excellent putdown about loyalty. In the second episode she disagreed with the women about the incident and told Rosie that everybody wanted to hit Hugo that day. I think Anouk likes Harry because he understands people and can manipulate them, like she does.

Just seen the Rosie episode, with the court case, painful to watch! She clearly has serious issues though it doesn't really explain where they come from. Again, I am coming down on the Harry side, at least in so much as she should have acceptedhis apology

I guess if she thinks he's a wife beater she thinks she's teaching him a lesson? There had been an antagonism between Harry and Gary throughout the day as well prior to the slap.
I havent read the book and can't wait to see where the story is heading. I know the reviews have been dire but I might have to buy the book once I've finished watching this series. Do we know who the eight are btw? It will five counting Rosie and Connie. I assume Aisha will be one but who are the other two?

if its like the book, its hectors father and connies friend for the other two chapters.

anon - i wouldn't let too many of the dire reviews prevent you from reading the book, a lot of them seem to be based on the fact that the reader 'didn't like anyone' in the book. i didn't eiither, but I get the feeling that was the point. Other negative reviews are because the storyline was ' horrible', though i don't think that makes a bad book.

I found that i had some understanding as to why harry hit hector and even had a bit of sympathy for him. Think this bothered readers and is also why they didn't like it!

Moln - that's exactly why the series is also frustrating - you are dragged into identifying or empathising with a character and then they go and do something stupid, objectionable, immoral or simply 'not what I would have done'. It's not fair on the viewer.

But that IS the point - and that's exactly why I like it.

I can imagine a lot of critics hate this because it hits a very raw nerve about moral superiority, with is the basic ingredient of being a critic!