Gold Digger SPOILERS

[IHaveBrilloHair]

For those who have seen it all, or don't mind spoilers.
Go

[Medievalist]

The train to Sunderland was utterly ridiculous - obviously they have no idea of geography (or should have included hints of Newquay airport at least).

Totally agree! There and back in a day with time for a wander round? Laughable!

[TheTruthAboutLove]

The ending - I don’t get in a million years why she agreed to marry him despite the fact she’s only just discovered everything about Benjamin.

The only reason I can come up with is that she wanted to spite/not prove the children right about him. Julia is an enabler, she minimises his quite frankly absurd behaviour because she’s lonely and desperate for love.

I quite agree you need a huge suspension of reality for the show and the whole Devon to Sunderland thing. And how he came out of prison with a cut glass accent and dressed perfectly.

[cheesewitheverything]

I really enjoyed it, though it was annoying in places. I was quite relieved that there were no murders or suicides at the end, despite many hints at them. A happy ending is a rarity on tv! I especially enjoyed Ted getting his comeuppance as he turned up like a madman at the wedding, showing himself up. I would definitely watch series 2 if there is one as I think the ending is ambiguous enough for plenty more episodes and the family is quite interesting. I especially liked Julia's daughter in law who seemed quite normal. Benjamin was interesting I thought and at times looked so slight and pale, quite ill almost, but at other times looked very handsome. So you could see the little lad in him as well as the man. I think his brother was spot on about what Benjamin wanted, but it suited Julia as well.

[Oblomov19]

As a character she was pitiful! Lonely and desperate. She took all of about 2 seconds between deciding not to marry him, and giving him a second chance.
Whether he did or not kill the shopkeeper is irrelevant. He lied and lied and lied. Hid almost everything from her. She really knew practically nothing about him. Yet decided to marry him anyway. God save us from this shite.

Even though Ted was beyond vile, an abuser, he stood in her hallway, he did have a point. He couldn't grasp why she was marrying him.

Neither can any of us!!
Pp did have a valid point: why didn't she wait, and review?

Actually, now I think about her, she's so pathetic, I really don't like her!

[cubed123]

She was so annoyingly pathetic and declared herself to be ‘in love’ after two weeks. Cringeworthy.
I’m glad I found this thread as decided not to watch the rest now I know the ending as couldn’t find it elsewhere on the net.

[ShiningTor]

Am feeling a bit dim.

Was Patrick having an affair? (I know we saw hints)

Who wrote the note to him?

I think I might have got distracted 😬

[Oblomov19]

With his blonde colleague.
Note presumably written by Leo? Because he picked up Patrick's phone from the car and saw her text to Patrick saying she couldn't wait to be with him again.

[ShiningTor]

@Oblomov19 thank you!

[MsLumley]

I think the note was written by Julia. She overheard Patrick on the phone didn't she, telling his mistress not to call when he was with his family.

[caranconnor]

I liked that she looked a realistic 60 and beautiful. My friends this age vary a lot in how many lines they have. Some are very lined, normally those who smoke and/or sunbathed a lot.

[OnlyTheTitOfTheIceberg]

I think the note was written by Julia

Wouldn’t Patrick have recognised his own mother’s handwriting though?

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Wasn't it printed in capitals? So it could've been anyone's writing, really.

[Ruraldream]

What a load of absolute shit! Can you tell I'm angry at losing 6 hours of my life to this?!

[2Rebecca]

The last episode was disappointing. Even if he didnt kill the bloke it was more evidence of him lying to her. Also I dont believe he would go to prison for a half brother. The sentence length is irrelevant. It still gives you a serious criminal record that makes his employment as a graphic designer in a posh company unlikely. It was silly. The 2 older kids seemed overly scarred by witnessing 1 episode of DV and self harm. Many people have a background of persistent DV and substance abuse and are less strange. I never really understood why older son didnt love his wife.

[BentBastard]

I think older son did love his wife but just couldn't handle the reality of family life with baby etc.

It was all a bit daft but I couldn't help but watch to the end.

I think the answer is that he was a gold digger but that he did also love Julia in his own way.

Pp is right that he wouldn't have stuck it out with her if she wasn't rich, but that's not to say he didn't also have some real feelings for her.
I give their marriage 6 months though.

[MollyButton]

That's wasn't the only case of DV though, and as the Relationship board says: children who are "asleep in their rooms" are often far more aware than adults think. And Marsha said their marriage was odd and cold.
I think that event was just the key memory the older two clung on to, and it seemed that no one talked to them about it which could have been more damaging.
For Leo it was the only memory he had and he had tried to repress it.

[FantailsFly]

I really liked it. My first thought was that the ending was trite, too happy, and unrealistic. But on reflection I think they both gave each other a second chance at a better life which I think is quite lovely.

[EachandEveryone]

Who wrote the note to the brother?

[hoxt]

Did anyone else feel sorry for Marsha?

[WeWantSweet]

I thought the first 2 episodes were good but it went a bit bonkers in the 3rd episode, dialled it down in the 4th and 5th and went bonkers again in the 6th episode. I had questions but just went with it overall as it was so refreshing to watch a drama without a detective in sight.

[Hydrogenbeatsoxygen]

I watched until the end, just to see what happened. It was a strange tale, with too many twists and turns. I found the involvement of her adult children in her life was a bit unrealistic, although as the history of their dad’s behaviour was revealed that does explain it.

For me the ending was all wrong. She survived domestic violence, only to be portrayed as a weak woman who needed a man. I wanted to see her move on, stronger and happy on her own.

[GrimDamnFanjo]

I read the ending as Julia so damaged that she accepted Benjamin's behaviour eg the apology she gave him.
His smirking out of the window suggested not all was well...

[MollyButton]

I actually liked the fact that although she had finally got out of her abusive marriage she wasn't "suddenly all better". She had been in denial, been covering up and blaming others (eg Marsha) - so it's not surprising she would be vulnerable to another kind of abuser/damaged man.
Now if she'd had counselling and done the freedom programme...

[Stooshie8]

I think it was left with questions so a follow up series can be done. I thought both sons looked surly at the end, Benj has a hold over Patrick, Leo still doesn't know his fathers cruel behaviour, was Benj brother really his bro/ paid off/ a former jail mate?What will happen to drunken ex? Will Leo continue in relationship with. sS? Was Benj faking it all to get the house and money etcetc etc

[Stooshie8]

Forgot to say I really enjoyed it. I thought Julia was attractive whatever age she was. And that the plot where she'd stayed with the abusive arrogant DH believable. Believing she is providing a happy home for her DCs despite the unspoken past and his controlling behaviour.