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Original poster

The Casual Vacancy...anyone watching?

273 replies

Selks · 15/02/2015 21:52

If so, thoughts so far?

I couldn't get on with the book but I'm enjoying this so far...a cast of fallible and largely unpleasant characters; plot pleasantly complex(ish), good filming - bucolic pretty England with a claustrophobic feel....

Will be interested to see how it develops.

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 15/02/2015 22:33

Interesting! I haven't read the book and know nothing about it, but I found it entertaining and a little bit "black" around the edges. Will definitely watch the next one.

Southeastdweller · 15/02/2015 22:35

I disliked that they downplayed the horror of the Weedon flat when the social worker visited them. It's still affecting in the first episode but nowhere near as much as it is in the book.

I wonder if we'll see Simon hitting Ruth.

NiceAcorns · 15/02/2015 22:38

Watched it, didn't really get what was going on. Think I might stick with Indian Summers next week.

OverAndAbove · 15/02/2015 22:39

I loved it. I'm surprised it's only three episodes, but really looking forward to the next one. Simon made me cringe more than when I read the book; he's just awful. Julia Mckenzie was brilliantly horrible too. I can't imagine though how it will work with a different ending...

Torwood · 15/02/2015 22:40

Yes, in the book, the visit by the SW to the flat is very powerfully harrowing. I wanted to reach in and pick him up. Ds3 was the same age though and it brought a tear to my eye. I should have stopped there shouldn't I as more was to come.

thegreylady · 15/02/2015 23:01

I started to watch it and just switched off after 40 minutes when the ghastly Howard was 'persuading' his son to stand for the council. So much of it was gratuitously nasty. It was full of cliches too. The ghastly aristocracy, the Indian doctor and the council estate tart- horrible. I expect more from JK Rowling.

Madeyemoodysmum · 15/02/2015 23:21

Most of the docs in my surgery are Asian I don't get your point grey lady?
I loved it. I found the book incredibly difficult to get into but half way in it picked up hugely and I couldn't put it down.

I think jk is brilliant at writing about teenagers. I loved all the teens in this book.

Can't wait for next episode.

Original poster
Selks · 15/02/2015 23:22

The SW bit was interesting to see, as I am one myself. In real life that child would not have been left in that situation, they would probably have been removed as they had been exposed to danger and neglect. The team manager would not have behaved like that, either. Not in my experience anyway.
I have never yet seen a realistic portrayal of social work on TV, but at least that was not as bad as many awful portrayals I have seen.

OP posts:
PigeonPie · 15/02/2015 23:28

I'm a Parish Clerk. JKR got so much wrong about how Parish Councils are run in the book I couldn't bring myself to watch the programme - also gave up with the book!

oolaroola · 15/02/2015 23:33

I was really interested in it. It's horrendous obviously but I don't think gratuitously so. The juxtaposition of the twee, busy body, councillors with the domestic abuse and drug using family is pretty difficult to watch and I'll be interested to see how that develops. Infact the unpalatable parish council lot reminded me more of 'Hot Fuzz' than Midsomer Murders.
I haven't read the book yet but had heard that the ending has been changed.
Incidentally DS had an audition for the part of Robbie - am glad he didn't get the part as it's heart breaking to watch. I think the casting is absolutely fantastic so far. Really hoping that the character Simon gets his comeuppance.
Interested in the social worker view upthread, it came across as believable tome so glad to hear that it's not.

Icimoi · 15/02/2015 23:37

Selks, I realise that that wasn't how most SWs would work, but in light of things like Baby P we can't really say it would never happen, can we?

BOFster · 15/02/2015 23:38

I found it miserable and meandering. I don't think I'll watch it again. Indian Summers on C4 though was excellent.

GreenShadow · 15/02/2015 23:44

PigeonPie - I also work for a parish council and the BBC have still got a lot of the facts wrong. Think DH was fed up with me complaining about the errors by the end.

Arsenic · 15/02/2015 23:52

Marking place while I download from iplayer.

I never did get to the midpoint of the book, so if I can hack all three episodes, at least I could pull it from the dusty bottom of the 'to read' pile and stick it in the charity pile. Yes I am that enthusiastic Sad

LucyBabs · 15/02/2015 23:59

Going against the grain here. It thought it was great. I didn't read the book so went into it knowing nothing about the plot or characters. I look forward to the next episode

Original poster
Selks · 16/02/2015 00:08

Oh god yes, Simon is awful. Those poor boys.

OP posts:
Pipsqueak11 · 16/02/2015 00:08

I thought it was great too. Just the right balance of comedy v edginess v tragedy . . Not read the book though so can't compare .

Original poster
Selks · 16/02/2015 00:11

Ooh just noticed that this thread has made it on to the 'Discussions of the Day' sidebar...that's never happened to one of my threads before! Smile

OP posts:
stareatthetvscreen · 16/02/2015 00:26

i quite enjoyed it too - have never read the book

BestIsWest · 16/02/2015 06:10

IMDB has Rory Kinnear in all 3 episodes so I hope that means we'll see more of him. I love him.

Not read past the first chapter of the book on kindle when it came out but have it in paperback and liking It a bit more.

LePetitMarseillais · 16/02/2015 07:04

I gave up half way through and went to bed.

Hacked off Dp made me miss Indian Summers for it.

funnyperson · 16/02/2015 07:12

The Asian doctor on telly swears too much, talks in a cockney London accent and wears the wrong clothes and so is just not believable. No real life Asian doctor would be like that even in a village.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 16/02/2015 07:14

I thought it was ok so far.

It must be a hard book too adapt- so many characters- we didn't really get our teeth into any of them.

I found the Teri/Krystal bit awkwardly done which I didn't in the book.

Lagoonablue · 16/02/2015 07:18

Asian doc had a Midlands accent.

I liked it but haven't read book.

HouseWhereNobodyLives · 16/02/2015 07:22

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