Our Girl and Captain James XLVII

[Ilovelblue]

Not much longer to wait out for the Nigeria episodes! Some of us are still mourning the death of Elvis.

I liked John Michie in Taggart. He and Jackie Reid always had a little bit of chemistry but she was too smart to get involved - and she always loved poor Mike Jardine.

Lots of comments on Twitter about not liking the idea of CJ betraying Molly. Let's hope if it's anything like that it's just a symptom of CJ's apparent issues with Molly. If we don't hear something about them next episode I'm not sure we ever will.

Are we doing the watchalong on Thursday everyone? 9pm as usual?

I'm really sorry but I won't be able to make Thursday evening this week or next week. I can only manage Wednesday, Sunday or Monday for the next couple of weeks.

Any of those days are fine with me - how about Sunday? (Unless anyone is a Poldark fan). Let me know and I'll be there.

Sunday is fine with me. I do watch Poldark but not so avidly that I can't wait to watch it later or the next day.

I've been thinking about what eejit said regarding Laura and having a giggle to myself at the idea of TG doing a complete "Kill your darlings" and rebranding CJ as a wolf in sheep's clothing and making him the biggest love rat we've ever been fooled by. Perhaps pursed-lipped Rebecca knew him far better than any of us and her icy stare was really a warning to Molly at the hospital? What if CJ did indeed do the dirty on Elvis, his 'best friend' with Debs and then take a liking to Elvis's fiancee before the big day.? It puts a totally different perspective on all those little 'chats' to Elvis about leaving Georgie alone etc. When he said he needed a 'medic' he didn't really mean in a professional sense at all. Even Fingers warned her back in Kenya that praising her was how it all started with Molly. Goodness me, you could have an absolute field day with CJ's behaviour if you really wanted to

ilove - doubt I'll be able t do the watchalong this week, but I'll catch up on comments later.

Rhu - indeed, In fact, CJ could have primed Debs to turn up on the doorstep and thus put the kybosh on the wedding. Chimes with the 'Say I made the wrong choice?' 'Tough, you've got to live with it" chat back in Kenya. Also with the 'Eff's sake' when Elvis descended from the clouds to ride to the rescue ...
Hours of harmless entertainment ahead ...

Indeed eejit I can see CJ twirling his Dick Dastardly moustache even now!

Putting aside the fun for just a brief moment of more serious reflection, it seems to me that there may be a number of reasons behind CJ's apparent 'feelings' for Georgie with their roots extending a long way back to other events. The blurb for next week refers not only to CJ's 'Stunning Confession' but also Georgie being forced to re-evaluate her personal relationship with CJ. I don't necessarily think that will mean it's a good re-evaluation from her point of view. I think it's extremely unlikely that she would have any 'romantic' feelings for CJ. She loved Elvis and nothing will change that and CJ probably knows that too.

I think he's in a bit of an emotional mess at the moment made worse by being half-delirious with that leg injury which from my memory of Afghan is the same leg as the previous bullet wound or was supposed to be. I think CJ's got some buried PTSD probably from that first brush with death in Afghan and now from everything that happened with Elvis's death, guilt, grief, responsibility, betrayal etc. When you consider how we marvelled at the 'fairytale' relationship between himself and Molly from series one but also expressed concerns about how it might really work in practice, it's not surprising that they might have hit a few problems a year or three down the line. Now with all the troubles he's encountered and spending little time with Molly, it's entirely possible that he's turned towards Georgie, feeling she's the only one who can understand.

I think that IF he survives this might be minus a leg (sorry, but I reckon it's a possibility that he might not survive ) he clearly needs to get back to England spend time with Molly and sort himself out and he'll definitely be done with the army.

I'm not concerned that there will be a romance with Georgie. I think this is all one-sided, if it's anything at all, and is just an emotional response due to his PTSD and grief.

However, I'm quite prepared to continue musing about CJ's master plan for the next week as this is preferable to considering the above

Absolutely Rhu
I am pretty sure he is in it to the end of this series (all 8) but cannot see how they can do another series. UNFORTUNATELY
Just have to hope we see BA in something else
All will be revealed but the waiting out is terrible!!
Certainly no spoilers yet and I hope they keep it as hidden as the Elvis story.

Well, I'm back, clearly with too much time on my hands as I can't help musing even more. TG is very clever. Not only has he riled emotions by teasing us with just a couple of lines of dialogue but fueled lots of interest in finding out what CJ really meant.

I'm imagining it should all go like this...

After being in lots of danger and narrowly escaping the baddies before SF, led by the blunt-speaking, CJ-hating, scathing Bones, finally rescues them and saves the day, CJ is finally taken to hospital for treatment. It all looks dodgy with his leg but before he is repatriated Georgie pays him a final visit.

CJ looks weary, pale and emotionally 'lost' however he says in a hesitant and apologetic tone: "I'm sure I must have been rambling on with the fever and the pain. Sorry about that."
Georgie will give him a reassuring smile.
"Everyone talks rubbish when they've been given morphine, Boss. I've heard it all!"
He returns the smile, clearly not convinced that she means what she is saying but willing to go along with it.
"You'll be looking forward to seeing Molly again," Georgie remarks brightly, obviously wanting to draw the line between them again.
He inhales, weighing up the situation before nodding in agreement. "Yes."
There is an awkward pause then CJ says in a Smurf hospital throw-back moment: "I'm proud to have served with you, Lane. You're a credit to the regiment."
She nods. "Thank you, Sir."
She turns on her heel and leaves the room and they both know this is the end of their relationship both personal and professional.

CJ is lying in his hospital bed back in England, sleeping fitfully and plagued by nightmarish dreams of all his previous disastrous tours when he wakes, startled with his nerves jangling in shock. As he struggles to get his bearings and re-focuses he realises someone is holding his hand. His eyes move upwards and (TG could play an absolute blinder here!) it is Molly. She smiles at him and he exhales in relief at the sight of her and squeezes her hand.
"Thank god. I'm so glad to see you."

Well we can dream can't we?

OK, I must go to work now. I will leave it to the rest of you.

Just one final observation - Radio 2 are really plugging Our Girl. I heard the trailer about six times yesterday and have already heard it this morning. Ken Bruce remarked on all the episodes being on iplayer and Jeremy Vine commented how popular it was yesterday. They've obviously decided that they have a Radio 2 type audience after all.

Well I'll happily settle for that version Rhu. If only. I'm still not sure LT will make an appearance. Skype even would be OK but these last few series have really made MK the star and it might not be thought very PC to bring back the original 'star'. Just saying! 🤔

Well, I've now watched it. Agree with everyone - there is no way the two of them would have stayed on their own in those circumstances. At least one, if not two, of 2 Section would have stayed aswell, but obviously that wouldn't have worked plot wise! So much for Colonel Nigel Partington keeping it real although I don't suppose he was given much choice I suppose CJ forgot the tracker because they were in a rush to leave the hut but he should have just stuck it in his pocket! And why did he take so long to turn it on in the first place? I know, I know, another plot device!
I quite liked Roger, seems like a reasonable bloke, unlike Bones who yet again steams in with the only SF unit in the British Army to save the day
Re the feelings conversation, I think CJ is just saying that his judgement and actions are coloured because of who Georgie is, Elvis' fiancee and the more personal history between them, and therefore he feels more of an obligation to her than he should towards a colleague. I'm not sure it's any more than that, at least that's what I'm clinging to Maybe his confession next week is about PTSD?
Did I read somewhere a few weeks back that maybe not everyone makes it through this series? If so, CJ is looking like the favourite to check out at the moment Even if he does make it, he's not going to continue in the army, either because of his leg, his probable PTSD and disillusionment of everything or the army chucks him out for one mistake too many. He's certainly not going to become a Major now! If any of this happens, I can't see him being in another four eps after next week because what would he be doing?
Is TG having a joke at CJ's expense re coffee? Clearly, the Brigadier didn't bring his own stash of Rosabaya
Finally, how many lingering overhead shots of the jungle canopy did we need? We get it, it's a dense and dangerous jungle down there

Btw, CJ /BA looking hotter than ever, even when injured

Absolutely Kazza, Only BA could look that good in those circumstances
Hair all curly and gorgeous.

There have not been any hints that BA was not there for the full 8 episodes and I am clinging to that thought with both hands (and feet )

But this is fiction after all not fact

What???

Very late evening here at Ilove Towers.

I've watched last night's episode again whilst ironing and to avoid football coverage. I can't be as profound as Rhu has been but I do agree that it seems unlikely CJ would be in a further series, if indeed there is going to be another series after this. I've read on here, on Twitter (struggle a bit there as I'm not a proficient user of it) and stuff in the press and getting a bit confused who is saying what now! I am clinging vainly to the idea that TG is doing this to wind us all up, just as he did in series 1 with the Smurf/CJ/Molly love triangle. One of his tweets posted that OG viewing figures outnumbered Love Island last night.

When I watched last night's episode again, one thing that struck me was why was CJ being questioned over his report when they were on another tour. Would that not have happened when they were back in the UK? Also, he was up in front of a Brigadier, who seems to be in Belize on his own. He is four ranks higher than CJ - would it not be the immediate boss who would question CJ? In series 1, we had Major Beck, in Series 2 there were those two who looked identical who showed Georgie photos of possible suspects and then in Nepal, there was nobody further up the command chain at all. If a Brigadier were to be there, would he not have various subordinates around, not just CJ.

I'm probably too invested in this programme.

Night all.

Hi ilove
Aren’t we all!! But when things are tough it’s a good world to escape to.
Ben is about in UK as he is doing the tough mudder in July presumably in London. According to DH they take place all over the country and I don’t think he says where. Probably safer!!!! For him with all his fans

Don't get me started on the after action report ilove . I know we don't know timings but they came back from Afghan via Nepal (2 weeks?), then Georgie was in Preston for 6 months before Nigeria, then Nigeria (how long for?), then something before Belize (?), plus any time off between tours and duties.......so that can't be much less than a year between Afghan and Belize. I know these things can take time but it seems a bit far fetched esp, as you say ilove , they've got a Brigadier doing it in Belize when they are there for a training exercise. And what was the point of calling Georgie in for 2 mins to tell her she was emotionally involved with Elvis and then she almost dismisses herself! I know, it's a plot device and not real life but really......
It's the same as my gripe about SF, who seem to shadow 2 Section covertly so they can be there to bail them out when they mess up . I'm sure that ex SAS guy Roger could have handled it, he looks perfectly capable
And how much smaller is 2 Section going to get? In Series 1, there were 10 of them, plus the other Sections under CJ's command. Now there's seven. I know there have been army cutbacks but it's getting ridiculous
flower I think the Tough Mudder may be near Hemel Hempstead, but that's just a guess from looking at their website.

Thanks Kazza but I sort of knew it wouldn't be anywhere near here in the wilds of Yorkshire!!
Also DH with broken femur is limiting our travelling anywhere somewhat.
DD did one last year she certainly doesn't get the Marathons etc etc from me but she is into all that sort of thing. Living in London these things always seem to be easier to find.
I do like John Mitchie but didn't think that storyline was feasible either
We are a sad lot obsessed by everything OG but as i said before it has helped me through problem times and it is harmless at least.

flower I have to say things like marathons and Tough Mudder do not appeal to me although I am more than willing to offer my services to BA to ensure he gets rid of all the Hertfordshire grime after the event
Not that you'd guess from my recent ranting essays (sorry ) but I'm not that invested in OG anymore, just CJ /BA, who is probably the only reason I'm still watching - which probably explains why I'm focusing on inconsistencies bollocks created by the artistic licence, rather than just enjoying it for what it is

Kazza I'm finding myself very much in the same boat as, if I'm honest, since series 2 my real interest in OG has been totally CJ/BA. I'm afraid Molly was for me 'Our Girl' and much as I have been pleasantly surprised by MK's work in the programme it really has not been quite what I had anticipated. All the things we are noticing re things that definitely would not happen in real army life didn't seem to stand out so much in series one, although I am sure there were lots there. That to me says the characterisations were outstanding and held our interest and of course highlighted the acting.

So of course this has meant hoping that CJ's character would continue in like vein, which of course it hasn't and now my big worry is the outcome of that somewhat obscure conversation between GL and CJ.

As Flower has pointed out we do seem to have invested a great deal of our time and thought to all this. 😜

Flower didn't know your husband had broken his leg. I knew you had some illness in the family but not what it was. Is he being a good patient (and are you a patient nurse)?

I know what you mean about OG being escapism when life's being hard.

Magi I suppose in series 1, we were so taken with the MD/CJ chemistry that some of the less factual parts of the series passed us by. It's only now that we are far more up to speed with military processes etc? Maybe?

We wanted more of CJ compared with what happened in Kenya so I suppose we can't complain. We're getting plenty of him this time!

I used to work with two women who took part in a Tough Mudder here in the north west somewhere. They used to go to a training session each week run by an army sergeant. It sounded horrendous to me. I guess BA's army boot camp will have helped him get suitably fit for such an event though he's always seemed fit to me.

kazza glad I wasn't the only one to question the brigadier's presence in Belize. Maybe John Michie said he had to be considerably higher up the ranks than BA! Bring back Major Beck I say! I seem to recall when they were filming that a photo appeared of John M head to head with Spanner. Not sure if that appears in the series or whether it was a PR shot. I know nothing of army protocol but I also thought it was odd that the brigadier brought Georgie in during CJ's dressing down. I would have hated to think any manager of mine would have behaved in that unprofessional manner.

Overthinking again, sorry!

That's it for the afternoon now.

I’m trying to work out whether I should be congratulating Tony Grounds for writing characters that inspire such loyalty and passionate following, or curse him for ruining them with the current series. Or is he up to something more cunning?

There is an article on Radio Times that has me going for option two at the moment. Curse you Mr Grounds

However, in the real world of making TV shows to make money, when an actor (Lacey/Luke) have other commitments, it’s not as though you can continue with them in the story, yet you still have a story to write.

So wishing the current series was a box set and all available. Easier to decide whether to stop watching or not. I need and chocolate and a fast forward option.

Still, you have to admire him for managing to tie the viewers up in knots metaphorically speaking.

Can I just say, I can't stop watching the BBC video of BA and MK. The looks, the laugh, the personality, the humour....he really is perfect
And on that note, have you seen the photo retweeted by the BenAldridge Army of the make up ladies rubbing make up onto BA's can't get any higher upper thigh - what a job!!! And is he going commando or just wearing a thong cos there's no sign of any jocks there I've zoomed in to check (purely for research purposes, of course

Ilove
Thanks I have to admit with some surprise DH is being a much better patient than I expected. I however am definitely NOT nurse material wrong temperament! He is getting fed up now though as he is not good at not being able to do things. The ONLY GOOD thing about the football! being on!