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Anatomy of a Scandal Netflix adaption of Sarah Vaughan book

66 replies

Missushbb · 15/04/2022 23:33

anyone watching? watched first episode tonight. enjoyed it but maybe a bit slow? i've read the book but can't remember it all..

OP posts:
XelaM · 18/04/2022 20:00

Boring and a completely idiotic and unrealistic "twist". I am a criminal Solicitor and it would NEVER EVER HAPPEN that a barrister in her position would take on this case and not disclose her personal involvement. It's unethical beyond belief.

Both the main characters were dull and I was not at all invested in their relationship, which again seemed highly unrealistic.

XelaM · 18/04/2022 20:01

The Libertines parties might have been realistically portrayed, but nothing else.

XelaM · 18/04/2022 20:02

Also the advocacy and cross-examination were rubbish

TooManyPJs · 18/04/2022 20:06

I really "liked" it. Binged watched it at the weekend. Didn't find it slow at all and I get bored very easily.

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 18/04/2022 20:14

@XelaM

The Libertines parties might have been realistically portrayed, but nothing else.

Didn't partake in any anal chugging yourself then?

AtwilightRebellion · 18/04/2022 20:28

I enjoyed it though kept getting mildly distracted by my irritation at Sophie not pulling the back of her hair out of her coat.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 18/04/2022 20:32

I enjoyed it.
Watched it over two nights.
It started a really good conversation about university life and privilege with my daughters.

Candleabra · 18/04/2022 22:33

I enjoyed it. But I haven’t read the book.

XelaM · 18/04/2022 22:36

@JulesRimetStillGleaming
Didn't partake in any anal chugging yourself then?

I didn't go to Oxford 😝I went to UCL

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 18/04/2022 22:37

I’m on the last episode now, and agree the book was much better. Her new book, Reputation, is excellent for anyone who liked this one.

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 18/04/2022 22:55

[quote XelaM]@JulesRimetStillGleaming
Didn't partake in any anal chugging yourself then?

I didn't go to Oxford 😝I went to UCL[/quote]

I went to Cambridge and those party scenes are EXACTLY what Oxbridge was like in the 90s.

XelaM · 18/04/2022 23:35

@JulesRimetStillGleaming I totally believe that part. What is totally implausible to me is that a well-respected barrister would put their career at risk by taking on this case. It would never happen. I was also unimpressed by the advocacy of both (allegedly star) barristers.

The relationship and dialogue between James and Sophie also seemed unnatural and unrealistic.

JMAngel1 · 19/04/2022 12:06

Just finished this - it was definitely style over substance but I loved it nonetheless.
One major flaw in the story was that 40 somethings do not look completely different to their 20 something selves. How did they not all recognise one another immediately? Crazy plot flaw.
I also was expecting more from the court scenes - and why wasn’t there CCTV in the HoC? Seems very unlikely?
How did none of the barristers ask questions about what happened after they got out of the lift? I also was expecting a lot more legal terminology - it seemed as though Joe Public could have approached the witnesses in the way the legal team did - very underwhelming considering how much barristers can get paid - clearly overthinking this now Grin
But, I loved the house and Sienna’s wardrobe - but what did she do all day? She had a nanny and the house was always impeccable. She just seemed to swan in and pour herself a glass of wine (bit jealous tbh!)

StrawberryPot · 19/04/2022 13:15

One major flaw in the story was that 40 somethings do not look completely different to their 20 something selves. How did they not all recognise one another immediately?

Totally agree (didn't say so earlier in case I upset someone with a massive spoiler!). It's preposterous to think otherwise. I was waiting for some big reveal about her having been in a major accident and having had her face rebuilt. They tried to make the actors playing the politician and his wife at uni look like their older selves. Why not do the same with the lawyer? The older version seemed taller and had dead straight hair (which didn't look straightened any more than the younger version of her looked like she had a perm). I also don't believe that in - what - 15/20 years she'd have shaken off her Liverpool accent. Especially as she left Oxford to go to Liverpool uni. It's one of those accents it's almost impossible to lose completely.

Blossomtoes · 19/04/2022 13:20

Doesn’t anyone suspect disbelief any more? I’m quite happy to just be entertained because I know I’m not watching a documentary.

AnImaginaryCat · 19/04/2022 13:36

I thought this too. Each time someone appeared I though "oh it's [famous actor]" then "oh, it's not".

Overall I really enjoyed it and thought everyone was brilliant in it.

I interpreted the lack of emotion/woodenness as stiff upper lip or a life of being trained to be subordinate and obedience.

My favourite character was spin doctor (who is an almost Tom Hollender).

EmmaStone · 19/04/2022 13:39

Oh! I thought it was Tom Hollander!

I really want to talk about the ending, are we allowed spoilers?

AnImaginaryCat · 19/04/2022 13:40

@Stravaig

I thought the casting was a bit odd. Most of the main characters seemed like lookalikes for other, better-known actors. Add the glossy presentation, and it felt like Netlix intended a starrier cast, who said no. (I kept wondering about this, not great really.) Michelle Dockery is fantastic though, she does multi-layered characters ever so well.
Sorry, my "I thought this too" was in response to this post.

I meant to have quoted it - and now realise I bookmarked it instead 😄

StrawberryPot · 19/04/2022 13:44

Doesn’t anyone suspect disbelief any more?

I'm all for suspending disbelief - and nearly said as much below. I hate it when people carp on about minor things that 'wouldn't have happened like that...'. But I find it hard to suspend disbelief when someone doesn't recognise the person they got to do most of their work for them at uni! I might buy it in a Shakespearean comedy, but not in a tv drama!

AnImaginaryCat · 19/04/2022 13:58

You might not, if you had a over riding sense of superiority and only an interest in using them for their work.

You'd recognise the notes mind you.

Ivyonafence · 19/04/2022 14:44

@XelaM

Also the advocacy and cross-examination were rubbish
Isn't that literally every legal drama though? What drives me mad is how they never have to wait for a court date- always seem to be in court the next day!
StrawberryPot · 19/04/2022 15:02

You'd recognise the notes mind you.

😂

XelaM · 19/04/2022 16:52

@Ivyonafence
Isn't that literally every legal drama though? What drives me mad is how they never have to wait for a court date- always seem to be in court the next day!

Not in "A Few Good Men" - that film is the reason I wanted to become a lawyer (Kevin Bacon's advocacy in particular). Blush

But totally agree about the next day trials

HollowTalk · 19/04/2022 18:37

I thought the reason she wasn't recognised was because as someone who didn't belong and fit in, she was literally invisible to the others who belonged to that set. When you factor in a big weight loss, a change of name and a confident manner, it's no wonder she wasn't recognised.

NotesOnMyScandal · 19/04/2022 19:32

I thought the change in appearance was plausible. I was extremely very plain with freckles, no make up, wild frizzy hair as a student, fast forward 14 years and I had enough cash to dress well, nice clothes, subtle make up and a fabulous glossy straightened haircut plus specs. I was unrecognisable.

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