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Original poster

Marriage : SPOILER THREAD ONLY

97 replies

the80sweregreat · 15/08/2022 20:52

This started on Sunday and has four parts.
I've watched all of them on bbc I player

Thought I'd start a spoiler thread as there are two threads already and spoilers not allowed over there. At all.

I wanted to like this, but it was disjointed at times and the last episode dragged.

It made some good points, but was just odd too. Not sure what to make of it really.
Jamie was just horrible

OP posts:

VenusStarr · 17/08/2022 13:57

I've just finished it. If there was a hidden meaning, it's gone right over my head. Iplayer described it as funny, moving and revealing but I would describe it as odd, awkward and non-descript. Very strange drama.

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 14:11

There were lots of hidden meanings , mostly that they couldn't come to terms with losing a baby and probably didn't have any help at all with this. It has blighted their lives so much there was all this rage and anger and jealousy ( that was on ian's part anyway )
Trying to patch it up by adopting Jess probably helped for a little while, but once she moved out it all came back to haunt them again. Then he lost his job and his mum and his sense of worth. He is clearly unraveling and his own mum was horrible too by the sounds of it.
Emma is resentful she has to care for her dad who doesn't like her much. A job she finds difficult because her boss is such a horrible person. Wont let her show her him her full potential. Colleagues she has nothing in common with. All these things add up in life and all the negativity hangs around all the time. I know a person like this , a lot stems from childhood and never addressing the big things. She can never move on in life and neither will these two.
It was a tough watch and a bit boring in places : might have been better as a play for today but cut down a bit?
It certainly wasn't funny.

OP posts:

VenusStarr · 17/08/2022 14:26

I guess what I meant by the hidden meaning is that we never saw any type of resolution or understanding or develop from the characters. All of the characters felt they lacked depth, despite having these painful experiences, it was never explored further. So they just came across as weird.

I've lost 6 babies and did wonder in the first episode if it might be too triggering to stick with, but the writers never really delved into it. It all felt quite random and awkward and there was no compassion in the writing. I didn't think any of the acting was particularly good either.

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 14:31

Venusstarr
I am sorry to read this , dramas like this must be so painful to watch.

OP posts:

DesMoulinsRouge · 17/08/2022 14:58

I thought it was really good on the whole.

Ian is a good man though flawed, no one but his wife sees his worth. He was almost invisible.

The dad said Ian was controlling but I read that as he made her realise it was OK to say no to her family if that was what she wanted and they resented it because they preferred her to run after them.

The lack of closure made it more realistic I thought, real life has no closure. But perhaps it makes a drama less satisfying.

Maybe the ambiguity of parts of it was kind of lifelike too.

placemats · 17/08/2022 15:13

I recommend that anyone who has been married or know someone in a marriage watch this.

My only question is why was there only two bedrooms? I'm sure there was a third.

placemats · 17/08/2022 15:15

I thought that James Bolan played a blinder cast as the controlling father.

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 15:21

I loved James Bolan in 'the likely lads ' as the bad boy , Terry.
It's a shame he fell out with his co star in that as it was quite funny
He was also good in new tricks
Very natural actor.

OP posts:

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 15:31

I've been married over 30 years and I have mastered mind reading , I'll often say something to him and he'll go ' I was just thinking that ' ! Or I can tell exactly how he will react to certain things or situations.
You do get to know someone inside out in a long marriage I think.

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Lottapianos · 17/08/2022 15:50

Strange series overall but some lovely moments. I thought the same about Mum. Great bunch of actors, especially the guy who played Jamie - he made my skin crawl. Very much related to having an elderly parents who likes to show you off to others but treats you like you're not a real person the rest of the time 🙄

Didn't believe for a second in them chortling their way around the supermarket, or in all the laughter with daughter in final episode, it all seemed really fake and forced. Thought the controlling boyfriend was really well written - those little flashes of nastiness that come out of nowhere (' I was gonna have some salad!')

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 16:00

It's even more subtle in Mum because you never meet the dad who has died , but you can feel his presence at all times.
I much preferred it to this , but both productions have made me think and this is a good thing
He is a very clever writer indeed.
Different.

OP posts:

Lottapianos · 17/08/2022 16:19

'He is a very clever writer indeed'

Agree, and very original. Lots of silence, and lots of room to let emotions breathe

vroom321 · 17/08/2022 16:50

I wrote on the other thread thinking it was this one. Crap. I didn't add a spoiler I don't think???

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 16:58

Sorry , I did too thinking it was thread
I've asked to have it removed by h q
I don't think it'll spoil anyone's viewing though
Just about the brother

OP posts:

vroom321 · 17/08/2022 17:01

Oh noticed you did the same lol

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 17:44

I hope blonds doesn't come after me now vroom ! ..

OP posts:

vroom321 · 17/08/2022 17:51

I know usually I wouldn't bother deleting it but felt bad for her. They weren't spoilers though and I think he was only in one episode?

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 17:59

He was only in one episode , but the other thread doesn't know this as they have only seen two in 'real time.'
That's the problem with I player , people like me with the time on my hands tend to binge watch it then
Then I forget what they have seen already etc!

OP posts:

vroom321 · 17/08/2022 19:12

I only watch if I can watch them all

SueSaid · 17/08/2022 21:15

Watching episode 3 and so many questions. Why is he so awkward going on and on about 'revitalising' shower gel in the shop, why is she such a doormat her boss screams in her face and she goes to his room apologising also why does Jaimie have such a ridiculous hair do.

It's so slow, yet strangely compelling.

Lottapianos · 17/08/2022 21:28

Episode 3 is definitely the strangest. The scene where daughter and waiter are saying goodbye after spending the day together went on for about 5 years - felt like it anyway! I was like 'just STOP TALKING at her and walk away, you eejit!' Cringe

Also, the scene in an earlier episode where Dad was hassling the young woman at the gym reception desk - I was begging him out loud to just keep moving and leave her alone. Really don't know if he was being creepy or just desperately lonely and inept. Loved how we saw her hide in the back office until he had gone - I'm sure loads of women have had to do something similar. Grim. Stefan Golaszewski writes odd / creepy / controlling men really well

Original poster

the80sweregreat · 17/08/2022 21:36

It was strange we didn't see Jess with Adam and his mum at the cafe and how quickly she moved onto Mark ! That was all very disjointed.
He seems ok, but I guess we will never know if he is or not or just another controlling idiot. I'd like to think he is one of the good guys though as he seemed normal enough.

OP posts:

SueSaid · 17/08/2022 21:38

'Really don't know if he was being creepy or just desperately lonely and inept.'

Unless ep 4 has anything shocking in it I think he is just lonely, paranoid and lacking in social skills. They seem to love each other but are they just codependent. The bit in the conservatory was quite moving when she told him how much he'd helped her with their bereavement and how he'd supported her df plus his own dm who sounded a bit of a handful. Maybe just ground down and forcing chats in shops and gyms is his only way of getting through the day.

dapsnotplimsolls · 17/08/2022 22:43

I really wanted to know more about the brother and what was going on there. I thought it odd that neither seemed to have any friends. Like a PP, I was a bit gutted not to meet dickhead's Mum :)

RaininginDarling · 17/08/2022 23:40

I thought it was disappointing and dull but it did make me want to rewatch the film, Ordinary Love - which is considerably more successful at capturing a long term marriage under stress.

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