Our Girl and Captain James XLVIII

[Ilovelblue]

All discussion on the latest series of Our Girl, with particular reference to Captain James, is welcome here.

First thought when I read that this morning was is this true quickly followed by disappointment. I’d rather BA than MK and if they were to be in a relationship, then I’m thinking that to have MK means we can’t have BA. I think I’d rather not have another series and leave what happened after the cliff jump to our imaginations (and fanfics) than know that CJ & GL are together. If no BA then I’d want to know that CJ is fixed and reunited with Molly in HEA land!

If there was to be a new series with MK, I’d be looking for an entirely different storyline where she doesn’t need to be involved in a love story. Yes, I’m sure it happens in real life but surely not a different person each tour!

Or....... as it turned a bit “soapy” this last series, why not have different stories running concurrently through each episode? GL deployed in some far off land with some previous members of 2 Section but in a new platoon, CJ sorting out his demons, settling for the desk job at home that he never wanted, giving us an insight into how the army operates when a platoon is not on deployment - again with some previous members of 2 Section - a promoted Kinders, maybe??? Much as I’d love Molly to come back, I don’t think that’s going to happen so will settle for knowing that they are together and happy offscreen.

Also, regarding the different producers - and what Olly Rix has said in interviews. Sooo that got me thinking - who would have the most influence - the writers or producers??

Good question marvellous! I guess the writers produce the scripts initially but changes must happen. I suppose it depends on the producer's agenda and ultimate aim. What exactly is the producer's main purpose? To get it made or get it made the way they judge best?

Having just googled it all, it does actually sound like a lot of fingers in the pie!

Okay then, here goes your starter for ten.
OG5:1
Opening seequence - flashback to Kabaul in the moments before the explosion, re-edited to show GL being vuried in debris after a different explosion.
Cut to GL in hospital bed, unconscious.
Pull out to show members of 2 Section round her bed, talking about what went on in Nigeria (but without her in it), Bones included fade ...
fade up to other members of 2 Section round her bed, talking about Belize, Bones included, and CJ injury included, GL not included fade ...
fade up to ditto, talking about Bangladesh, Bones included (but not exploded), CJ included, beardless Spanner, new SF boss included. When telling GL about it reaches the end of 4:8, CJ's voice says 'ten paces back' or something which sounds like that, and 2 Section members move out of shot while another figure moves into shot in silhouette and somehow, clumsily, manages to knock tumbler / jug / bottle of water over GL ...
Cue titles
Cue fuzzy brightness and sound. Slowly brightness dims and takes blurry shape which turns into an indistinct, out-of-focus face; the sound becomes a distorted voice, as if from a distance. It seems to be saying something. Slowly, the sound takes the shape of words, "I'm sorry, George ...' said again and again.
Cut to GL, blinking,

Blah, blah, blah.

The point being, she's been unconscious / in a coma and everything that happened in the last series and about the last 20 minutes of OG3:4 is GL's mind making some sort of distorted sense of what 2 Section have been talking about when they came to visit.
Elvis did go to do selection at Hereford (did he fail Fingers?). GL already knew Bones - he tells her he liked Elvis, so there's a chance that GL may have met him as one of E's mates. CJ could still have had the accident in Belize, which allows Bones to take over in Bangladesh, but he doesn't have to get blown up. That could be GL mishearing something in her comatose state.
Could still have the new SF guy too, as Bones is shipped home for whatever reason and CJ returns.
So, thus having got rid of the worst bits of OG4, we are all set up for OG 5, without the CJ/GL thing, with Elvis back in Hereford (and able, like GL's ghastly mother, Molly, Kingy's family and Monk's girlfriend) to text, phone and skype. We could still have s/one (other than CJ) trying it on with GL, either because he doesn't know about Elvis, or because Elvis is in Hereford ...
We could have UK-based stuff, whether home or barracks, and explore the PTSD angle.
Over to the rest of you, ladies.

PS - before anyone accuses me of the implausibility of GL (mis)hearing the conversation of 2 Section in a comatose state, is it any less plausible than some of the other stuff we've had to accept?

Have heard before of authors who refuse tv/film deals for books because they want too much to be changed from the original work..... Personally I think I’d be mighty p’d off if I’d written a script and some producer and/or director came in and changed it from my original but if that’s how it works then probably not much you could do.

eejit that is a work of genius.

I can tell you've put a lot of time into that and I'd happily take that version too!

marvellous I suppose an adaptation of a book would probably make an author feel quite precious of the plot. Perhaps in TV there's more of an expectation of change.

Perhaps IF there isn't another series TG could take a leaf out of the 'Home Fires' book and just publish the rest of the story. I'd read it and I think a lot of others would too. It was his idea so he must be able to write it.

Cj made it for me so no CJ not bothered will make my own ending to last series!!!!! Called in Yorkshire taking my bat home!!!
Will still join in when possible with you all still problems here.

Hi all. Sorry I've not been around to share some suggestions for new storylines. It's been a busy week and I'm away on holiday on Sunday too so there's lots of packing, tidying up and sorting the garden out. I palm off some of my plants in pots onto my neighbours and of course the hot weather has made it all the more difficult this year. Mind you, we have escaped the threatened hosepipe ban thankfully (even though I try not to use the hosepipe and it's good exercise anyway to be carrying watering cans around).

I've read everyone's suggestions and I hope TG is taking notice of them! Very interesting to think that the producers/directors may have such an influence over his writing. I don't think I can add much which hasn't been said already but I wouldn't be too upset if they found a new actress to take on the role of Molly. Yes, it would be great if she could be persuaded to come back but in order to explore more fully CJ's PTSD, I think Molly needs to be around. I also agree with the posters who asked why we can't have more UK based scenes. Of course it's exciting to see Two Section in far flung places and war zones, but if it was UK based, there would possibly be more of a chance to explore some of the characters - on home leave, as parents (Kingy and the new father Monk) and so on and so forth.

Hope you're coping ok Flower and that things soon improve for you. I still think CJ/BA will be in the next series, should there be one, as let's face it, he doesn't seem to be inundated with work unlike Luke Pasqualino/Elvis, whose death I still think could have been avoided.

Like in "24", no-one is safe [devilgrin] (okay, except Jack Bauer).

I would actually like a new direction, just as they did after series 1. Old characters and new, and concentrating on a new leading character. Could be Maisie, could be someone entirely different. Like a new (female) Lieutenant. That would move the story in an entirely new direction. And as women have only been allowed in frontline fighting jobs in the British Army since 2017, it would be a really contemporary story, like they had with Afghanistan in series 1. Moving back to contemporary drama rather than down the slippery slope to soap (see what I did there? ).

As for deployments, I noticed that a number of fanfiction authors sent Two Section to Estonia, quite a change from Asia or Africa. And also a realistic choice, as there are indeed Nato troops currently rotating in and out of the Baltic states.

Delphin I like the idea of a new 'female' officer in charge of Two Section, particularly one who is not only as good as them but probably better in a front line combat role - wouldn't be difficult when you consider some of the things Two Section have done. That would be a good story - but she doesn't need a love interest - there'd be enough drama in her just doing her job. It would allow CJ room to possibly be promoted at last (although given his list of errors, not to mention the bollocking from the Brig last series oh and potentially having asked his section to jump off a cliff for him, it might be a remote possibility). He could then be something of a guiding hand to the new officer (poor woman - or maybe lucky woman depends) whilst still dealing with his own 'issues'. As for Georgie, she could stay with Two Section and if the news reports are correct it would seem likely that MK would be in another series. Might be interesting to see how female soldiers react to a female 'boss'. I bet it wouldn't be as cosy as you might expect, especially if Georgie tries to take charge all the time and tell her what to do. No amount of 'please Charlie' is likely to work in that direction.

I'd like a balance of home and abroad in the next series (fingers crossed) if at all possible. I keep thinking of 'Soldier, Soldier' years ago which always combined the soldiering stuff with domestic life. In that, of course, the civilian family members were also main characters. I remember the series in which they were based in Germany but at the end they were posted to Bosnia on UN peacekeeping duties during the Balkan conflict. It might be good to see Two Section doing something like that. Humanitarian work is great but they've done a lot of that now. There's plenty of scope to discuss world issues around the UN's role in conflicts. If you've ever seen 'Warriors' about soldiers on UN peacekeeping duties in Bosnia then you'll probably remember how conflicted they were by having to observe but not interfere in what happened there. Ioan Gruffudd, Damian Lewis, Matthew Macfadyen all played soldiers suffering from PTSD after their experiences. It was powerful stuff!

You're absolutely right Delphin seems to me the fanfiction authors are more topical than the tv writers. Some of the authors have really taken up the baton and are writing stuff (mainly about Molly's reaction to CJ's shenanigans) which is really excellent and I for one find it therapeutic after those disastrous last few episodes. Can't make up my mind as to the chances of another series but if there is one it certainly needs a new lead story. Had enough of Georgie "seeming to be in charge". Not credible!

The 'Sun' quickly had an article online saying MK had signed up for another series but I think that was them jumping the gun. They usually get everything wrong anyway😡

P.S. eejit I treated myself to a few episodes of series 2 this week to wallow in Elvis enjoyment. I still think episode 2 of series 2 is one of the best in the entire 3 series of OG.

PPS - just to be fair I must also say that I think episode 2 of series 2 is MK at her best too. Every time Kiki is shot and I see her reaction to that it brings tears to my eyes. I think she was great in that episode - credit where it's due.

Rhu I think ending Our Girl after series 2 would have been a good idea. Things seemed tied up reasonably well and as you say MK really handled the role of the medic very well in that and acted so well.

Also if getting couples together was the aim then that ending would have covered that as well. CJ seemed happy to be married to Molly and Georgie was really close with Elvis in that ambulance at the end, so the audience could put there own spin on how those two were going to be

You're right magi that the end of series 2 wrapped most things up in a satisfactory manner and could have been a good place to stop but I suppose it was that point at which OG seemed to gain a lot of 'new' fans attracted by the introduction of MK and LP. It took a long time to get series 2 after series 1 and I'm guessing the BBC liked the idea of a female-led drama and someone with a relatively high profile on social media. I think it's probably true - no evidence but based on social media - that the majority of fans are also women and possibly a lot younger than those who often watch BBC programmes. If that was the case I expect the BBC were keen to build on the success even if it has led to some of us lifers being less satisfied with what has followed.

However, it's been so long now that I'll stay watching to the bitter end - hoping that it will be just the tiniest bit sweet. In my dreams it ends with CJ knocking at a door somewhere and it being opened by Molly to which he says in a rather sheepish yet heartachingly hopeful voice "Missed me?". Cue - door opens wide and Molly's expression changes from wariness to relief and then joy, arms wide she welcomes him - fade camera and they all lived happily ever after!!!

Yes I think the BBC seemed to jump on the band wagon and tried to do too much. Sone of the stories just became bizarre.

Ah well like you I will probably give in and watch it if a new series does start and hope for the best.

By the way I am almost swooning here at your proposed ending.😊

Delphin , I agree that it has turned into a soap, with all the sensationalism of the last series -and the murder of Elvis-. Rhu, I agree that Series 2:2 is very good, but I've also a place in my heart for 2:3 (fast-forwarding through the Dr Dullandboring bits and the ghastly mother), not to mention Series 3:3 and the first 35 minutes of 3:4 (fast-forwarding through the obnoxious brat bits). I did rather like the Nigeria bits, and though Bones had serious potential as a character -though not as a replacement for Elvis-, but it went seriously off the rails in Bangladesh.
I greatly fear, however, that if they went for a female Lieutenant, they would not be able to resist the cliches and the soapy sensationalism and would want to make it 'on trend' and 'relevant', so I leave the likely storylines to your imagination.

@rhubarb01 : "Warriors -powerful stuff"

Oh yes. Warriors is on one of the last 8 VHS tapes I have kept. I recorded it in 2001 when it was first shown on German TV in English with German subtitles (also bought the Dutch DVD as a backup two years ago). With all the stupid stuff they show on TV these days, I fail to understand why this brilliant two-parter seemingly has been archived deleted by the BBC.

@Magi84 : "the fanfiction authors are more topical than the tv writers"

Fondly remembering the times when TV was really topical: "If I were you, I'd keep a Geiger counter handy, cos they're going to light you up like Litvinenko." (Spooks, 2007, a year after the Polonium attack). There's definitely enough stuff for drama out there. I wonder if they still dare ...

Re: Couples. Well, we've got the ongoing story of Maisie and Rab, and why not put the new Lieutenant together with one of the NCOs not in her command? Not in a romantic way neccessarily, but as a friend helping her sorting through the stuff she's confronted with. Wasn't it the NCOs running the show anyway? (according to a late friend of mine who served in the British Army).

Off to Greece for a week. I hope I can wrestle the tablet from the kid for a quick forage into the interwebz. If not, see you in a week. (Loaded the most recent fanfiction updates on my e-reader, so I am set )

Evening all.

On holiday in the south east this week. Spoke to a real NGO person when we had breakfast this morning. She is based out in Calcutta. Very interesting conversation but also very sad.

Any BA/MK/TG news I need to know about?

What are you all up to?

Morning, all very quiet but it is August!!
Enjoy your break and we will continue to 'wait out'.

And in other news, my gob is officially smacked. Nespresso are cancelling Rosabaya. The devils. 🤨

Well, CJ doesn't deserve it anymore, even if he did survive the jump
Managed to see eps 6&7 in the past week. Still got the last one to watch, although obviously I know the salient points . Reverted back to lots of ASAPs in Ep 7 and if she calls him Charlie one more time, I'll throttle her!