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Broken. Drama starring Anna Friel as a single mum in poverty. BBC1

269 replies

HelenaDove · 15/05/2017 20:08

Starting on the 23rd May. Written by Jimmy McGovern (Cracker Hillsborough. The Street) it also stars Sean Bean as a Catholic priest.

Trailer.

OP posts:
SusanMitchell · 31/05/2017 00:23

Kinky? Eight year old children in school uniform? Have a word with yourself, love!

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HelenaDove · 31/05/2017 00:39

That Pauline who stormed out of the meeting just didnt get it did she?

She didnt seem to understand or want to understand that a white communion dress etc would put some families into debt. She claimed it was the families expectations when really it was hers.

I remember having the fitting for my communion dress in a bridal shop. I didnt have my communion until i was 14 I didnt go to a Catholic school so had to take Catecism at the local convent up to a year prior.

OP posts:
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HelenaDove · 31/05/2017 01:29

Review Future episodes dont concentrate on Christina exclusively but widen out more to include other characters like The Street did.

www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/05/30/jimmy-mcgoverns-broken-timely-tough-watch-review/

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Cary2012 · 31/05/2017 07:17

I thought it was good. Love Sean Bean and think he's playing the role well. Often find Friel a bit irritating but like her in this. Will definitely watch next week.

cowgirlsareforever · 31/05/2017 07:22

Seriously 2Rebecca? There was nothing kinky about it Confused It just shows how conditioned some people are into equating the Catholic Church with sexual abuse.

Saucery · 31/05/2017 07:33

Kinky? What a horrible thing to say. I know of Catholic schools and priests who have suggested exactly the same thing (and done it, as there wasn't a Pauline stropping about it) to take the pressure off families and to emphasise the link between school and church. Ditto priests who ban veils and gloves and dwelling on 'purity'.

SimonsPies · 31/05/2017 07:34

The Catholic Church has only got itself to blame for that cowgirl.

missyB1 · 31/05/2017 07:40

There is nothing "kinky" about a child wearing school uniform for their first holy communion ffs Angry what goes on in some people's minds???!

I liked Sean Bean's character I found him realistic, and the very real grinding poverty some people live in was well portrayed. Having said that it was quite depressing, the show needs a bit of light relief here and there.

The80sweregreat · 31/05/2017 07:50

Sean bean has a lovely voice.
I did enjoy this but i cannot believe she would do something like that.

Embolio · 31/05/2017 07:52

Kinky?? Catch yer self on!

It was a bit grinding misery wasn't it?

cowgirlsareforever · 31/05/2017 07:52

Perhaps it has SimonPies but that makes me feel sympathy for the legions of good people, priests included, within the Church who can't do anything without being accused of being abusers.

Redredredrose · 31/05/2017 11:06

It was very grim. We were quite poor when we were growing up, or so I always thought, but things like this really open my eyes to my privilege. I just don't understand how people are supposed to be able to live and eat and keep a home when they get a 13 week benefit sanction, it doesn't make sense. You can't let children starve!

I felt so awful for her when she found her mum dead. I thought her grief was very realistic.

Elendon · 31/05/2017 16:27

Well there you go. Yes it is miserable and welcome to Tory Britain. Misery as shite in some areas. Yet we have people who only want to watch death and murder on a paradise island.

Fuck sake. This happens. It's real. But heaven help those who do get child tax credits because all they are using it on is holidays in Florida.

I loved the idea of all the children having communion in their school uniform. What a brilliant idea. It's such a 'bridal' and wedding type ceremony now, it's beyond purity. There are even pre communion days/feasts. It's abhorrent. Jesus stood up for all those in poverty and all those who felt impoverished. My communion dress was passed down to me from my sisters and I was very proud to wear it

JustDanceAddict · 31/05/2017 18:20

I watched it and found the dead mother scenes really harsh. I first thought it was because she couldn't afford the funeral.
13 weeks to wait for jobseekers is terrible, but I suppose if you resign or put yourself in a position where sacking is inevitable the state assumes you can afford to leave your job.

Saucery · 31/05/2017 18:41

The State couldn't give a shit. Just another way of saving a bit of money.

maddiemookins16mum · 31/05/2017 18:54

I "enjoyed" it. I agree with Holy Communion thing, I had mine in the early 70's and clearly recall my mum (the only single mum in my peer group) struggling to afford the dress, veil, shoes etc. She got her moneys worth though, I wore it at my Confirmation and my sister wore it at her FHC too.
BUT, that said, the white dress was the best bit about my FHC anyway (seriously lapsed Catholic).
I love Sean Bean, nice to see him back on TV without the Lannisters cutting his head off.
Anna Friel was good, I liked the way you could hear her coming (she wears flip flops the entire time as so skint) before you saw her.
I felt sorry for the lady in the Job Center, it must be a thankless, horrible job, she doesn't make the rules.

GetAHaircutCarl · 31/05/2017 19:01

Bean and Friel were excellent I thought.

McGovern's writing I found a little too on the nose and agenda driven. Little room for texture or nuance.

GetAHaircutCarl · 31/05/2017 19:03

One of the school mums made all our FHC dresses. Mum says she didn't charge. Just materials.

And we all wore them again for our confirmations. Mine was so short I looked like Mary Quant Grin.

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 31/05/2017 19:51

Ted Hastings now a man of the cloth? Wink

Hilton solely responsible.

AC-12 needs you back, big fella.

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 31/05/2017 19:52

^ In-jokes for Adrian Dunbar/ LOD fans aside...

I thought Broken ep1 was classic Jimmy Mcgovern:
thought-provoking, challenging, gritty, nicely-drawn characters, and enough establishing hooks to develop.

His dramas are never an easy, upbeat watch...but poverty/ unemployment/ injustice etc. are daily realities for way too many.
He's just someone who's lived it personally, has the balls to shine a light, and puncture a lot of complacency.

Love the fact he's challenging our prejudices:

Christina: loving Mum to abandoned-by-Dad kids, loving daughter, churchgoer, working but struggling and overwhelmed/ too proud to reach for help...gains our admiration/ sympathies.

WHAM...admits to 'borrowing' money from boss/ violently loses it/ and, Bloody Hell, the whole hiding dead DM Shock pension fraud.

There's got to be a massive backstory as to why Christina didn't confide in her sister/ DM (wasn't due to her heart condition, as she wasn't made aware of it). Surely more than just pride?

Priest's inner turmoil heartbreaking to watch: victim of abuse himself, incl. by his own mother and own church (especially ironic there, and again challenging popular assumptions as to which more obvious storyline might have been followed), questioning so much, yet (as yet, anyway) loyal to both.

Genuinely good man, I think, and representative of those within the Catholic church who totally abhor the CSA, and the systemic cover-up which has allowed it to happen, every bit as much as much as the rest of us.

Anna Friel very good ; Sean Bean really excellent, though. Both brought me to tears in certain scenes.

The80sweregreat · 31/05/2017 19:53

I was sanctioned in 1981 for leaving my job voluntarily as i was being bullied. I was only 17 and having a terrible time.
I knew i wouldnt get any money for 6 weeks i think, but it was worth it. I lived at home so it wasnt such a big deal , but i was penalised and i agreed with the rules, i had a job but left, fair enough. ( i did get another job, thankfully)
13 weeks, however, with 3 kids and rent to pay for is terrible, how can people manage on nothing? Its not the children's fault. Sanctions are dished out too often for things out of peoples control too. Its a scandal.

cowgirlsareforever · 31/05/2017 21:36

That's an interesting assessment of Jimmy McGovern's writing GetahaircutCarl. I don't think he would deny that he prefers to write about the big social issues of the day, poverty, Hillsborough etc. I still believe he is one of greatest television writers.

stonecircle · 31/05/2017 22:56

I thought this was really really good. Surprised at people turning off.

Is it really true that, if you resign from a job or get sacked you're not entitled to any help from the state for 13 weeks, even if you have kids?

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HelenaDove · 31/05/2017 22:58

There are sanctions now that last for three years.

Shit like this doesnt help............................

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2943048-Would-you-pay-this-for-one-pair-of-school-trousers-fuming

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Akire · 31/05/2017 23:03

Yes and even if she did claim JSA she could be 5min late to sign on, or not apply for enough jobs i.e. Job centre say apply 10 a week. You apply 9 one week and 11 the next. You get a sanction. She's already had no money for 13 weeks, next sanction is 26 weeks and after that years.