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Original poster

Fleabag - anyone else not get on with it?

86 replies

VictoriaReal · 09/04/2019 15:08

I tried hard to like Fleabag, and I normally love this and of thing, and love edgy comedy, pathos and female led stuff - but for some reason, although I could "appreciate" it, it never clicked with me.

I was thinking about it and remembered I didn't like Girls either (even though I watched all of it too) but Lena Dunham I just found unlikeable, and I know its deeply unfashionable thing to say butt I think I felt the same about Fleabag / PWB. It's not the whole "flawed character" type stuff that's an issue - as I say I normally like that kind of thing (E.g. I loved Saga in The Bridge who can be really unpleasant to people). I just wasn't rooting for the character and didn't care about her.

Am I the only woman in the UK to feel his way?

OP posts:
Hiddenaspie1973 · 09/04/2019 22:32

I didn't like the music. Bloody distracting.
Rich enough to run a posh cafe with no punters for years, in an expensive part of London.
Dad issues.
Papal issues.
Sex with randoms
Sex with priests
All wrapped up with her giving come hither looks and a plummy commentary. Sexed up Miranda Harr.
I must have missed something.

AnyFucker · 09/04/2019 22:36

I nearly gave up after the 1st 5 minutes of season 1 episode 1

Glad I didn't though

Ilovetea33 · 10/04/2019 03:23

I also gave up during the first episode. Found her very unlikeable and didn't want to watch her having sex.

HerSymphonyAndSong · 10/04/2019 03:53

You don’t have to like everything everyone else does, it’s not a requirement. I do think that people talking about privilege have missed the point though

I didn’t like the priest either, but I am sure he is supposed to be an character you are ambivalent about

JessieMcJessie · 10/04/2019 09:08

I’m not sure that they ever suggested the family weren’t rich. The Dad’s job or background is never talked about.

I like it but I find Olivia Coleman the weakest link in it actually - she just comes across as oh look it’s Olivia Coleman again. I think the character is a good one but wish it had been played by someone less recognisable.

ExCwmbranDweller · 10/04/2019 09:16

Thank god, it's not just me. I was lost after she scared her boyfriend in the shower with a mask and big knife, you can't go around doing that!!! Or having an escapee guinea pig in a cafe, or stealing money out of (hideous) dates wallets, or steal small statues or or or just a million things. Don't care if she's supposed to be 'flawed' she's not funny. Can you tell I only watched the first two episodes? Was going to try again after hearing everyone rave about series two but after reading all this I can happily file the whole thing in the 'not for me' folder and continue waiting for new episodes of Victoria with bated breath. I am Old Before My Time and totally unrepentant.

LegoPeopleEverywhere · 10/04/2019 09:19

I enjoyed it but it is so overwhelmingly posh and that annoys me. There isn't even an acknowledgement of how much better off her family are than the vast majority of the UK. It's very "liberal elite". I guess that section of society has a right to see themselves represented on screen too but we seem to see an awful lot of them compared to the working classes who make up most of the population.

JessieMcJessie · 10/04/2019 09:57

I’m guessing you weren’t a Downton Abbey fan then either Grin LegoPeople?

StarlingsEverywhere · 10/04/2019 11:53

I like it but I don't think it's literally the best thing ever to have been on TV. I always like a bit of fourth wall breaking.

Original poster
VictoriaReal · 10/04/2019 11:58

I agree Lego. And also, the "privilege / entitlement" thing also applies to PWB herself as a writer. For example, I work with young writers at university and the industry is SO hard for anyone to break into, and especially working class writers. Getting a TV show commissioned in INCREDIBLY rare and I just feel if your grandfather is a Baronet, and the other a Sir, and you went to private school followed by RADA, then a little bit of acknowledgement of privilege wouldn't go amiss. That's not to say she isn't necessarily incredibly talented (although not my bag), or that upper classes don't have the right to see themselves represented, but just to acknowledge all the other factors at play that have helped her have such incredible opportunities. It irks me I think.

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 10/04/2019 12:05

I only watched the last episode to see what all the fuss was about so I can't really comment. But it seemed like a Richard Curtis thing - don't know if that's fair. It was the poshness and privilege that really struck me though.

HerSymphonyAndSong · 10/04/2019 12:42

“There isn't even an acknowledgement of how much better off her family are than the vast majority of the UK.”

Fair point but I think a token “other people are not so well off as us, poor them” might have been more irritating

LegoPeopleEverywhere · 10/04/2019 17:27

JessieMcJessie Grin

LegoPeopleEverywhere · 10/04/2019 17:31

Totally agree VictoriaReal. It's not that she isn't talented, but there are likely many others just as talented who don't get a look in.

That's true HerSymphonyAndSong. I'm not sure how they could have tackled it tbh. But it has an air of assuming that's just "usual life", when it's not for most people. (See also Bridget Jones which I think is guilty of a similar vibe!)

Original poster
VictoriaReal · 10/04/2019 19:28

Oh yeah! Bridget Jones is hilarious! The flat she lives in is on Borough Market and would probably cost about a million! Grin Grin

OP posts:
LetsDialDownTheIanPaisley · 10/04/2019 19:38

Series 2 was much better than series 1. She is a posh twat but it's acknowledged.

midsomermurderess · 13/04/2019 22:58

I heard Fi Glover on Fortunately saying she didn't like it but not why. I'd be interested to hear her thought. I was a bit in the fence. I know many of them were horribly damaged but they were also quite monstrous.

FingersXssd83 · 13/04/2019 23:23

We started watching the first series and I find the main character really annoying!! Going to persevere through gritted teeth as it's only 30mins as everyone says how good the second series is.

JustDanceAddict · 14/04/2019 08:14

I like it but I relate more to Claire than FB. And I love Killing Eve - that’s the best thing on TV!!

BlessedFox · 14/04/2019 18:27

You sound jealous OP

StarlingsEverywhere · 14/04/2019 19:28

I don’t think that word means what you think it means.

BlessedFox · 14/04/2019 20:11

@StarlingsEverywhere

And your comment is patronising.

BlessedFox · 14/04/2019 20:12

I agree Lego. And also, the "privilege / entitlement" thing also applies to PWB herself as a writer. For example, I work with young writers at university and the industry is SO hard for anyone to break into, and especially working class writers. Getting a TV show commissioned in INCREDIBLY rare and I just feel if your grandfather is a Baronet, and the other a Sir, and you went to private school followed by RADA, then a little bit of acknowledgement of privilege wouldn't go amiss. That's not to say she isn't necessarily incredibly talented (although not my bag), or that upper classes don't have the right to see themselves represented, but just to acknowledge all the other factors at play that have helped her have such incredible opportunities. It irks me I think.

This post drips with jealousy.

BarbarAnna · 14/04/2019 20:16

I am as common as muck and would generally have a chip on my shoulder. But sorry, this is genius. Privilege or no. I don’t think any TV series has impacted me so much in years.

BarbarAnna · 14/04/2019 20:18

There is nothing she could do either. Say what - sorry, I know I am privileged at the same time as they do and the ‘sexual themes’ warning?

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