Our Girl and Captain James Discussion Thread...

[ihearttc]

A new thread for all things Our Girl as we have already filled up another thread discussing everything to do with the show.

Oh how brilliant!

Well with all this excitement, my obsession isn't going anywhere soon, especially with fanfiction, Radio One and the DVD release to look forward to next week!

Actually not cross post, same subject but came from different sources. Nappy you have clearly proved your appreciation to get a PM!

Glad you just explained Nappy, was just about to pm you about the convenient timing to see if you were actually LL and it was actually an elaborate subterfuge!

looks like Monday is going to be BA and Iwan Rheon promoting the DVD as they are on BBC Radio Manchester in the afternoon. Wonder if it will them in a studio in London...I could not cope if they are actually in Manchester.. i wonder if there is a way to find out? I would be there - ok so I'd have to bring the boys but eldest (5yr old) is quite good at taking photos.

Loving that someone here is behind the My Man fan fiction.

After my cold shower last night reread chapter 3 of My Man (purely for research purposes of course). In all the ( ahem) excitement of the first read through I did miss a full appreciation of the quality of the writing and the very well executed dialogue particularly in the first half (where most of the talking happens ). It played out just the way I would hope. Well done LL.

One thing that I have been chewing over this morning a bit is, as the fanfic ( at least the two best examples of it) leaves the envelope of the series and heads out into possible futures whether fans shared vision of the characters will start to fragment so we each start hoping for different things.

I think we all want them to make it, to grow closer and develop and get married and have lots of babies. But what about the journey? How much do we want them to go through the wringer? Key question for the fan fix writers and ( hopefully) TG as well.

Thoughts as always welcomed!

Oh how exciting that LL is on here amongst us!

SPD great question...will ponder on that this morning and come back and answer later.

Definitely need then to be together in the next (hopefully) series, But there would be issues- CJ leaving the army (we know he says he is but would they convince him to do another role- maybe army recruitment) and I think with his leg injury he wouldnt be able to go on front line again. I don't think Molly would leave straight away as she really has come into her own being in the army from when we first met her.
We'd need to have some tension between them- the path of true love never runs smoothly- I don't think there would be issues with the parents and its clear from the series that Molly is growing up from her family- she's had an influence on her mum too. But its all been positive. I would love to see how others- we might not see 2 section again- react to them being together. And I'm sure at the funeral he wanted nothing more than to give her a hug but couldn't- it just wasn't right.
Tony Grounds has said he has more Molly and CJ stories.

Just seen this in an interview with Iwan- wonder if it was the same for them all?
''I suppose it’s realistic though, it can happen. I didn’t know what would happen when I first signed on – I only had the first two episodes – but obviously we discussed the character and the idea of what was going to happen. He’s kind of the tragedy of the whole story, I think.''

Read more: www.denofgeek.com/tv/iwan-rheon/32612/iwan-rheon-interview-game-of-thrones-misfits-our-girl#ixzz3HtpnS75z

Sooo exciting that LL is amongst us! My mind's now gone into overdrive wondering who she is. I might even reread both threads to try and pick up clues (I love a good old mystery, but am a rubbish sleuth really and never guess the murderer - not that LL is in any way homicidal of course!!) I think she absolutely nailed chapter 3 and the interaction between the two of them before the bedroom was just so 'them'. Don't know why, but the thought of CJ leaning back against an aga rail made me all warm inside Worried that I don't even need bedroom scenes to get hot and bothered. Interesting that LL thinks future episodes won't be M rated. If you read this Laurielove, please continue CJ and Molly's story. I can't wait to see where you take them.

To be honest, I really don't want another series because I don't want to see them struggle in the reality of settled life ;-) admittedly, I may be biased by the view of my kitchen top at the moment and the memory of the ironing finished last night at 00:30 (double zero thirty? ;-)
Not that I think a Mrs James would ever be short of domestic help, or would not be compensated in other ways...but...the beauty of the story for me is the discovery of their potential, individually and together. The way that pans out afterwards it's up to them

icemist Just read the Iwan interview. Funny that he says he's made an alnum. Perhaps his intense stares during the duet are actually death stares cos he wanted to be doing the singing, not them!!

It's all good publicity for Iwan's band - I think he has his band pic on Twitter as his profile.

Was wondering if it would be possible to listen to Nick Grimshaw's program on iplayer later at leisure?

Ok in all seriousness - as MUCH as I would love to see more of Molly and Captain James, and miss seeing them on TV, I am also not entirely sure I want another series either, because:

1. The premise of the show is really about Molly's personal journey and to quite a large extent, the army - it would feel a bit odd to take her out of that context without it becoming a completely different show - it would become the Molly and CJ Love Story and that sort of takes a bit away from Molly's journey of personal growth (even though I love that she and CJ are together).

2. Also what I love about it, is the sense of adventure and danger that the soldiers have. Also the cameraderie and banter between Two Section - they did that really well, I would like to see more of the supporting characters.

3. If she stays in the Army I would really hate to see CJ relegated to a background character, stuck in Bath moping. A big part of his success and attraction as a character was his leadership qualities and how comfortable he was with his men. But if he "joins her on that plane" it wouldn't ring very true given his injuries. How to square that circle? Yes there are some other possibilities (like aid work etc) - but they would have to be very careful to write it in such away, that the show doesn't get sidetracked either, just to keep CJ in the storyline. It ultimately should still be mainly about Molly.

I don't know...I'm not a clever writer, but can see how difficult it may be to try and be all things to all people. Sometimes, giving the audience what they wish for may not be the best thing for the quality of the writing - perhaps it's better to leave them be, and leave it to people's imaginations about what happens next.

In a way the character of CJ was too good - he's ruined us all!

The more I watch OG, the more I believe in their relationship. The more I watch it, the more their devotion and adoration for each other is clear. I was rooting for them from the start, but I will confess that on the first viewing, perhaps because I was so stressed that they wouldn't get together, I didn't allow myself to believe that everything was going to be alright as much as I do now. Every look now is so real and heartfelt. It's the kind of story that just gets better and better with repeated viewings.

I was convinced CJ would die after episode 4. The thought of it depressed me all week. The idea of a writer allowing such an unlikely romance to work (especially when there was an alternative in Smurf and hinting that CJ may be a lying cad regarding his wife and son) just seemed too hard to believe. The elation when (we'd seen the divorce papers and) he came through the night in the hospital ...! I squealed aloud. I think that's why it is so, so satisfying to watch. You hope you're going to get a particular outcome ... you really doubt you are ... and then you do! It's like your trust has been rewarded. And it's all about anticipation. There's not enough anticipation in life now. This played on our sense of expectation like nothing else. Bravo, TG. Now I watch it back without the stress of knowing it could go horrifically wrong, I can only see a really positive wonderful future for them both.

By the way, did anyone watch the end of Jonathan Ross last night to see what they played?

Ooh, who was on Jonathon Ross - what have I missed?

I was looking at BA's showreel - he's been in quite a few things already which I may check out now. Though I do think Captain James will be by far more well known than any others so far - and he is definitely getting better with age.

They should add CP to his showreel ASAP as it's his best role so far - missing a trick otherwise, esp if he's off to the US for pilot season early next year.

It was London Grammar on Jonathan Ross- loads of their songs were used on Our Girl, I have them recorded but not watched it yet.

I really want them to keep the story line going with CJ and Molly but it does feel like tgey got their happy ever after. If they hadn't done the scene at end of credits it would have made more sense then to continue it into another series.

who am I kidding I really want another series with BA in army gear

passthesherry breakfast show is available on iplayer. Somone on tumblr told me to listen on laptop as sometimes its on the webcams so we could see the interview

Passthesherry sad, oh so sad, but I think I agree with you re second series.

After Ep5 I was so keen to have the series continue but with all the speculation over possible plot themes, including constructing several in my own head (eg. CJ as war correspondent, (good use of an Arts degree and lots of war experience), British Troops sent to Syria (heaven forbid), Molly in a special secret mission, kidnapped by ISIS, CJ to the rescue etc etc), none offer the sweet, compelling, 'will they, won't they' dramatic tension of series 1.

I really, really hope I am wrong but if they did another series I fear that CJ would not survive! ('Sob'- but leaving Molly free for a third series- although certainly being a 'bit previous' here)

I am pinning my hopes on TG being very, very clever indeed to avoid that prospect. Please!

On reflection, I am just going to continue enjoying Series 1.

I think I may be nearing the end of rehab thanks to the MN support group as I am willing to admit the possibility of a future without a second series of OG.

I think TG covered all the bases with the post credits scene. If he hadn't the BBC may have been bombarded with annoyed viewers expecting a second series that isn't guaranteed. By including it he's given the ending everyone wanted and leaves open the possibility of more. So its win win.

On the rehab issue, all the chat, debates and discussions both frivolous and serious have made the last couple of weeks really enjoyable and answered a lot of questions I had. I can see myself moving forwards now. Thanks MN.

(However, should there be a second series, no doubt I will suffer a relapse and be back here with the rest of you like a shot!)

As much as I really don't want to say it... I honestly deep down think that's Molly's journey done. She's become a great soldier with prob a great future ahead and found her man. TG said this series was a love story and that's what we got- and a fabulous love story with great chemistry between BA and LT it made it so much more believable.
I just wish someone from BBC would say either way!

Would be nice to have a one-off though

icemist Maybe you have hit the nail on the head. Like everyone else is beginning to think, TG would have to be remarkably clever (and I truly hope he is) to make a second series as exciting with CJ/Molly still centre stage. Setting the series as he did almost in the present would make it impossible to go back to Afghanistan and so would any other setting be too tame? (Unless, God forbid, we really did go into Syria). Yes, Molly could be deployed anywhere but would that leave CJ/BA kicking his heels in the background, not playing the kind of role we want for him? Alternatively, they could do a happy ever after scenario (with a bit of tension-ridden drama thrown in to keep us all on our toes) but that would make it into some sort of predictable soap?

So icemist I think a one-off to tie up all the loose ends with ideas from Laurielove's fantastic writing incorporated, would suit us all so well. We'd get our BA fix but it wouldn't compromise the very basis of the first series which is what we all have enjoyed so much.

Still looking forward to the interview on Radio One tomorrow however and can in fact tune into Radio Manchester too - thanks for the tip off on that one!

(Am part way through rehab, but still a way to go yet).

I agree to a certain extent that it would be incredibly difficult for TG to continue the story and I think thats part of the reason why there hasn't been a Yes or No answer yet but I do think the story isn't actually finished.

No Molly can't go back to Afghan but a soldiers story isn't finished when they are back on British soil...those things that she saw and had to deal with will stay with her forever. Likewise CJ didn't end his career on a "high" if you like and it would be interesting to see how he and Molly deal with being back in the real world.

I think there either should have been more episodes in this series or there should be at least 1 extra long season finale to tie all the loose ends up. It just doesn't seem complete to me.

At the risk of sounding crazy I was a huge (and I mean huge!) Dawson's Creek fan when I was younger. I watched all 5 seasons religiously and had them all on VHS recorded from the TV...however good they all were the series wasn't complete until the Finale. It needed that to tie up all the lose ends and I think OG needs the same.

And if anyone even knows what Im talking about...It was always about Pacey for me!

What bothers me is wondering what CJ will do once he is fully recovered. The army has been everything to him (all he ever wanted until Molly) and he doesn't want a desk job. His decision to resign was made through a feeling of having failed those under his command, rather than any falling out of love with the army. I worry that any future series would have to address CJ coming to terms with a new career and struggling with a period of readjustment. Molly seems to have blossomed and be on the start of a wonderful new path, but CJ is at a real crossroads. I can't decide whether I want to see where TG would take him (since like others have said, I don't imagine CJ can realistically go back to the front line) or just leave it where it ended with that fab after credits scene.

Do you think ... and I feel like I'm almost being sacrilegious here ... do you think there's any mileage in an off-shoot series/one-off just for him??? Either a prequel (which I think we've discussed before) or exploring what he does next and having her in a supporting role. I feel terribly disloyal to Lacey/Molly for saying that as clearly it's THEM that we adore, not just him, but it would be a way to keep the OG franchise alive (there clearly is a demand for him it) while steering things away from their future, which, I agree, is rather lovely left as it is.

I think a Christmas special in bath would make all the public happy. Cheesy, but as its be Christmas it's allowed, if not even devotional ;-)

icemist I have just looked on the Radio Manchester website and it just says the DJ is speaking to them. Presumably they both can't be on the phone at the same time, so they must be coming to Manchester mustn't they (or is that wishful thinking?). I am excited

I am still going through rehab, thinking I might gonna need a bit longer, but thank you to all of you on here for making it easier. Not sure where this obsession came from, but trying to watch less (although kids back at school on tuesday, so need to fill my time with something else).

The fanfics are brilliant and helping to fill in gaps, as I felt at the end of the series that there were lots of unanswered questions, which is maybe while it is still in my head constantly! I think also, it is the complete adoration that CJ and Molly have, which isn't present in my every day life any more (if it ever was!!) and maybe which I miss or crave. Anyway, enough rambling, I'm sure I'll get over this, and maybe I'll just enjoy the view for the time being!