Normal People on BBC3

[Bouledeneige]

Binge watched it yesterday and loved it. Emotional, passionate and two really great leads. Thoroughly recommend it (so long as you don't mind lots of love scenes). Cried lie and felt bereft when it finished.

I also thought the bdsm relationship was well done especially when he photographed her and she clearly didn’t want to do it but he made her. She caught his eye as she left and his gaze slid away, showing he knew it had all gone too far. The only point that jarred with me and spoiled the narrative was when she asked him to hit her. He had already made it clear he wouldn’t in an earlier conversation and their physical
Relationship was so erotic and special, I don’t think she would have asked him to do that. If it was a test, she wouldn’t have left after. I loved his counselling session-I also grew up in a small town in Scotland and his feelings rang so so so true-didn’t fit in either place, didn’t feel he could go home.

Sorry, when Marianne asked Connell to hit her, not Lucas.

Paul Mescal Googling whether he's single etc

I might be wrong but I think he's on a relationship with the actress who played Peggy! Or at least they live together..

Hi Haggisfish, I don't know if you've read further upthread but I expressed how that bit really jarred with me too. I haven't read the book and felt disappointed when she asked that of him. I didn't understand why she was asking him and I wanted to believe that she didn't feel compelled to behave that way with him. It was such a long, emotionally charged scene and it was a pity it ended in that excruciating way for the characters.

He def doesn’t live with Peggy actress as he’s been on his own during lockdown in London flat. I think they’re good friends. He says in interviews he’s single.

He def doesn’t live with Peggy actress as he’s been on his own during lockdown in London flat. I think they’re good friends. He says in interviews he’s single.

The Mr Porter interview photography was all done by her and considering it was done during lockdown and was 'at Home' pictures? The stylist even said they styled the shoot via zoom. I'm sure the caption on Instagram also quoted her as being his housemate but just looked at it's been edited I think to say he's isolating at home alone.

Had a quick google as thought maybe I'd imagined the whole thing, but this article states she's his flatmate too.

www.russh.com/normal-people-paul-mescal-interview/

He definitely is flat mates with India aka Peggy. @ourmutualfriend I totally agree with you. It was the only scene I didn’t like and that didn’t make sense to me.

Oh a heads up for any one still up, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones are being interviewed on graham Norton tonight - on at 10.45 BBC1, so will be on iplayer.

coveting wording from Mr P interview is here. She was his former flat mate, who took pics at home, before he relocated to London just before lockdown.

This tweet rang true - exactly what my Irish mum would have said

SeriesofUnfortunate Events

I've only seen 4 episodes but was wondering donwe ever learn why Marianne's mother is such a b*tch and allows her brother be so abusive ?

We aren’t given a back story other than the father was abusive to Marianne’s mother, but we do get shown more of the brother’s character later on. I think the story tells us enough so that we understand Marianne’s home life and upbringing, and why she makes certain choices later on in relationships, but no more than that.

I have watched the whole thing over the last couple of days. It brought back a lot of memories of first relationships and all the angst. I think it could have been a bit shorter.

I got a bit frustrated by the pair of them though. They never had a proper conversation about anything. I know they were supposed to be almost telepathic but still...

I think my teen self would have loved it and would be following 'Connell's chain' on Instagram and stalking the actor on social media.

@Wbeezereezer in the book it hints at an eating disorder, how she doesn't even drink a bottle of water a day, plays with her croissant and doesn't finish it etc.

The one thing I felt ( and Irish uni students please correct me on this) is there no freshers or societies fairs? Surely Connel would have joined a footy team/ hurling team and fitted in that way?

RedHelen - yes, that puzzled me, why would a young successful, sporting chap not apparently get involved in sport and football while at Uni and make his social circle that way? Does the book enlighten?

@Thegreymethod, I'd say watch the series and then read the book to fill in the gaps! A few things made more sense, like the money thing and him trying to find who he was and becoming a "nicer " person

No the book doesn't say . I assume he was too shy but lads interact through sports and pubs so I can't see why he wouldnt have, but then there's no story!!

What is the GAA society like in Trinity ?

Yes I wondered that too. Many of the sporty young ones who join our company would instantly join a local GAA club or even drive massively home each weekend to take part in training or matches. Sometimes very long distances. If you're a good player the clubs want to hang on to you.

I wasn't too surprised at the lack of open communication personally. IME (gross generalisation coming) couples can skirt around each other for months and months before they ever become officially boyfriend/girlfriend.

Don't know where the massively came from!

I suppose Connel doesn't join any teams at uni because he is working in the petrol station shop every weekend (I think this is made more clear in the book) because he needs the money, another way his family background affects his experience at uni negatively.

Could well be that reason @Wbeezer, would make sense I suppose as dds netball takes place on Saturdays.

Little bit off topic I have seen a Tik Tok challenge where American teens kiss their ‘crush’ that has no idea.The majority say they have fancied this person and been best friends for YEARS. Young people need to communicate.
I don’t remember having a problem back in the day. Or maybe I was very forward.

There are two podcast episodes of Obsessed With Normal People on BBC sounds at the moment.

The first one as well as talking about the show, deals with the mental health aspect and has a mental health expert in to discuss how the lead character's issues are portrayed and especially Connell's therapy session (which was one of the most heartbreaking and pivotal scenes for me).

The second episode talks to both Daisy and Paul about their whole time working on the show and is interesting and very funny.
Well worth a listen

I agree Connell's therapy session was probably the most outstanding scene in the show.