The State

[Oldowl]

Anyone watching?

And yes the left handed eating/serving thing was annoying! The first time I saw it was when the teenage bride's new husband (and what a fucking catch he was hands her some food in his left hand, and I thought some insult towards her was being implied. Then another character was helping himself to dinner with his left hand and I realised that no, it was just shit research!

I thought he was insulting her too! Then she took it out of his hand. Just wouldn't happen.

www.channel4.com/info/press/news/the-characters-of-the-state
Character back stories here

I'm finding this very hard to watch

I don't think it will change anybody's mind one way or the other. People who are on the path to radicalisation won't be shocked by the horrors, they will either think they are fake or justified.

I think the sexual violence / slavery element has been well handled. We didn't need to see any graphic rape scenes, that woman's story and the scene where they were being bought and sold were sickening enough

Her little head shake to him was enough horror

How come the mother with the young girl who was a slave doesn't have to cover up??

Because she's not a Muslim?

Oh god
This is too much

So glad this is the final episode. Four nights in a row of this horror has been a bit much. I know I don't have to watch it!

It's making me pathetically grateful to live in a country where things are far from perfect, but we are no one's slave and will not be bought or sold by anyone

They did the right thing showing it over 4 nights. I have been gripped. I feel utterly appalled tonight. I'm so glad the woman got her boy out. Whatever happens to her he will be safe.

Is that it? I want more closure!

Thanks for the character backgrounds Adalind. I have only watched episodes 1 and 2 so far (not looking forward to the horror to come) but already the complete skew of power to the men with guns is just appalling. As others have said, this reminds me of The Handmaid's Tale.

Thought the doctors miraculous escape and smirking under interrogation was crap!!! Spoilt it for me

I feel like I've been run over

The final scene with the doctor in the interview room..... When he said 'you haven't exactly been a good mother, have you?!'. Her face.... Underneath all the haughty arrogance, she knew she had messed up unforgivably

What else is there?
Jamal is dead, shakira has lost Isaac, the good doctor is dead, the yazidi woman and child are dead, the pharmacist is dead, the young woman is a daesh baby factory. The stories are completed and all horror. I feel completely wrung out.

The doctor was an utter twat. I can't forgive her. Thank god her son was saved.

So the only one who was relatively unscathed (for now) was the young woman who was pregnant?

Pretty much.

It was compelling viewing.

I am reminded again to be thankful to live in a mainly tolerant society with mainly sexual equality.

Do you really think Issac will live happily ever after and be a normal kid again in the UK? After using a beheaded head as a football?

He was getting increasingly violent and angry in Syria and saw some horrific things. He also wanted to stay and fight.

He's the next generation of 'home grown' terrorist IMO.

I agree about the doctor.. the smug arrogance, and her oblivion to the fact she would never get her son back.

Of course he won't be happily ever after. But he's safe. She seemed like she was prepared to leave him there.

Powerful and thought-provoking stuff. I'm regretting watching the final two episodes back to back tonight - a lot to process before I'll finally be able to sleep.

The juxtaposition of the courtesy and consideration shown to brothers and sisters who are conforming with the brutality of the cause was so unsettling.

I'm struggling to feel ready to sleep to be honest