Motherland Xmas Special!

[SpongepantsSquareBob]

So excited for this!! They need to make another series!

Had we seen Tamara before? For some reason I thought she'd be much younger than Johnny but the actress was in No Angels back in the early 00s so she's probably older than Lucy Punch.

I loved it, funny and sad, like life.

@KillingMeDeftly I think she's married to Stephen Mangan

That was a laugh and sob a minute! Really wasn't expecting that twist, but the entire episode was pretty reflective of 2022 being up one minute and down the next. Not sure why everyone's getting their knickers in a twist about Paul asking for cheese though – that's their marriage dynamic, it's part of the show's humour!

It was weird the way Marion said she was too old for travelling and then she’s seen enjoying herself.
Loved how Amanda told her mum to basically ‘fuck off!’

It wasn't in the slightest bit depressing - it was just honest, and full of dark humour (which is the best kind).

She said she didn't like to travel because she was trying to put Julia off booking the trip when she'd already bought them tickets herself...

I loved it. Having recently rewatched last year's Xmas special, this one wasn't as uplifting, but I still thought it was great. Too short, of course!

I find it hard to believe Amanda's mum could be so awful to her. It was more subtle before and I think that worked better.

I think Paul is a great character! The stilton line was hilarious. Although very poignant that he didn't comfort her and it was Julia's friends who really supported her.

I thought it was very good. Showed a Christmas special doesn't need to be schmaltzy and twee. I found it both heartfelt and funny.

I always enjoy watching her dithering in laws 😂 the father in law is an excellent actor

I have loved every episode, and was so looking forward to this.

I think for those of us who are going through an emotionally challenging time at the moment it just wasn't what we were expecting.
I get that it's real life situations but for some of us when times are tough (particularly at Christmas) we need that escapism.

Such an unkind episode.
I feel cheated, I opened the bucks fizz, cheetos and hotel chocolate wreath (thanks bargain thread) for that!

The Meg storyline seemed totally pointless...I thought there was going to be some deep, marriage problems but it was just skimmed over and I didn't see the point. Think it should have been an hour long as it felt too rushed

Loved seeing Amanda having a boogie round at Anne's at the end.

I agree with this.

This show is so well-written and perfectly cast, it’s unreal. It’s refreshing and original.

Tamara is as I imagined her. I think a pp nailed it when they said she was how Amanda would have been had she had a more sympathetic mother.

Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley are brilliant in those roles.

Two gripes: too short, not enough Anne.

You don't need to like the husband or Amanda's mum- it's a comedy!
Very good but should have been longer.

I completely agree. I'm going through a tough time emotionally and wasn't expecting this at all. I was so looking forward to it too.

I know people say "it's life" and I get that, but we watch the soaps (Emmerdale/ Coronation St) expecting that there will be sad storylines.
Going by previous episodes people expect lighthearted escapism from all the shit that is being thrown on us n real life.

Motherland is my fav I can’t wait to watch. Another recommendation is for two doors down I could watch these two all day long and over and over x

It's not a comedy if it leaves people in tears due to their own personal sad circumstances.

I love Motherland so much but it was a sad episode. I also thought Joan would come to life….

followed by Two doors down which is fab! A bbc dream hour!

I wrote explicitly about characters not storylines. @Catsgivethebestcuddles it would be a very boring and unfunny programme if all the characters were likeable. If you've previously liked motherland you'll know its full of imperfect and flawed (funny!)characters.

Yes, sorry I misunderstood what you were saying.

I love the characters.
Everything just got overshadowed by my own emotions.

It reminded me of Catastrophe because of the comedy/sadness.
I guess Sharon Horgan is very good at writing that well.

I did cry but I really enjoyed it. I'd love to have good friends like that.

If you've got Netflix I recommend The Glass Onion with Daniel Craig, first time I've been transfixed by a film for ages!

We enjoyed it but I agree, didn’t feel long enough.