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So disappointed with Motherland **Thread contains spoilers**

398 replies

Fenty1 · 23/12/2022 22:14

I'm the biggest fan of Motherland normally but I feel so let down by the Xmas special! Have been looking forward to it all day but didn't laugh once. Yes it was very sad etc but not what I wanted from a Xmas special at all.

Title edited by MNHQ to add a spoiler alert

OP posts:
MargotMoon · 23/12/2022 23:05

I really enjoyed it. Joanna Lumley playing Amanda's mum is a genius move

And they had a Maui reference for us Mumsnetters! Or was that just a coincidence?

Southeastdweller · 23/12/2022 23:08

I agree it wasn't that funny (different writers in this episode maybe?) but the 2020 Christmas special was so good, this year's one was unlikely to match it.

OliviaFlaversham · 23/12/2022 23:11

Applecottagetree · 23/12/2022 22:59

It tackled too much heartache for one half hour xmas comedy - death of a mother, blended family and new baby upset - comments like "it might not even stick". Bearing in mind their audience us mostly going to be women going through these issues it was a bit much tbh.

Yes that is it, I think. Too much. I don’t even think it was well done-apart from the Amanda part.

crisscrosscringle · 23/12/2022 23:16

Reindear · 23/12/2022 22:56

I hope they do a series 4 to make up for the Xmas special!

Hopefully Julia divorcing her shitty husband!

MorrisZapp · 23/12/2022 23:17

OliviaFlaversham · 23/12/2022 23:01

That was so disappointing. Not the fun Christmas Special I’d hoped for. I massively miss my mum at this time of year and felt unprepared for that. I seek comedy and easy watching around Christmas. Thank goodness for Two Doors Down to hit the heartwarming and laughs so perfectly afterwards.

Horse of the Year got belly laughs in this house!

stitchinguru · 23/12/2022 23:17

I found it a step too far and a very difficult watch.
Having lost my son unexpectedly on Christmas Day 2019, I found it a tad insensitive.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there are complaints. 😔

theblackradiator · 23/12/2022 23:19

I bloody missed it but Why can't I find it on BBC iplayer?

Wouldilietoyouismint · 23/12/2022 23:20

@candlesinthesnow Who’s Sam Shepherd in it?

LadyChamberlain · 23/12/2022 23:21

It was quite different to what we've seen from Motherland before, I wasn't expecting it but I enjoyed it.

I think it could have done with being a but longer, the end felt a bit rushed. And it definitely seemed to be setting up for another series (please God).

Agree with other that Lucy Punch stole the show, her timing is excellent and she's so convincing and perfect in the role of Amanda.

Agree with PP that sadness and comedy are hard to combine; Blackadder Goes Forth also did it very successfully.

Mouthfulofquiz · 23/12/2022 23:21

I absolutely loved it. I wish it had been an hour though. 30 mins wasn’t enough. I lost my mum not all that long ago and the funny moments in those sad times really are special.

NashvilleQueen · 23/12/2022 23:22

Lucy Punch is absolutely brilliant in that role. I love all of them but I marvel every time she's on screen at how she gets it so right.

Kimbo1974 · 23/12/2022 23:23

oneuponedown · 23/12/2022 22:36

I thought the Marion not waking was a joke and she would eventually.

Was really Looking forward to it but was a bit disappointed on the storyline, felt they could have done so much but not Marion's passing for a Christmas special!

Does anyone know where I could watch last yearS Xmas special? I'm not sure if I've missed it.

Netflix

ChestnutGrove · 23/12/2022 23:27

I thought it was excellent and there were a lot of laugh out loud bits for me

SteveHarringtonsChestHair · 23/12/2022 23:28

I enjoyed it and found lots of lighthearted bits to laugh at. Julia’s husband coming up for a hug and then asking about the cheese made me lol. And agree Amanda is amazing - she’s gone from being abhorrent to sympathetic since her mum was introduced!

BashfulClam · 23/12/2022 23:34

I liked it. Two doors down was really good.

Goldieshock · 23/12/2022 23:38

Loved it!
Will re watch it again tomorrow and inevitably see bits I've missed.
Great acting and Marion's passing whilst on the VR set is that dark humour known in the show- highs and lows played out brilliantly and Lucy Punch was fantastic.

CaveMum · 23/12/2022 23:39

Wouldilietoyouismint · 23/12/2022 23:20

@candlesinthesnow Who’s Sam Shepherd in it?

@Wouldilietoyouismint Liz has been dating a character called Sam who is a shepherd - she calls him Sam Shepherd.

ChristmasSparkleTastic · 23/12/2022 23:41

Ah man, I do wish people would stop saying "you're not supposed to like Julia" it's the annoyance factor that comes with Julia, which means I can't stand to watch her. She's so irritating, it's just not fun to watch. She gives me the rage. I don't care if I'm MEANT to feel like that, it's still not pleasurable!

NeedAHoliday2021 · 23/12/2022 23:41

I really liked it and the message showing how they have all grown. I thought it was nicely done.

salsmum · 23/12/2022 23:41

I have been waiting all week for this and did feel it fell short of the mark with the misery parts. With Julia's mum out now and Amanda's mum not having contact it does seem a shame. I'm hoping too they bring a new series out as I really like it but same as others have said it needs to be longer... I do hope Amanda becomes a bitch again as I think the role is done really well. With the currant economic situation we really did need a huge cheering up. Xmas Hmm

darisdet · 23/12/2022 23:42

Oh no! I'd been looking forward to this.

CurrentHun · 23/12/2022 23:45

meh.. I’ve been here ages and I’ve got no idea what the Maui reference is?!

SpangoDweller · 23/12/2022 23:46

Oh, I liked it. Had some proper laugh out loud moments as well as the sadness.

CaveMum · 23/12/2022 23:48

Father Ted Christmas Special on Channel 4 right now #justsaying

It’s only got 20 mins left but you can catch it on 4+1 too!

Twonewcats · 23/12/2022 23:49

I'm baffled by all the "I loved it" comments

I ADORE Motherland and couldn't wait to see this. But it was misery after misery. It's a COMEDY ffs.

People tuning in on 23rd for some warm comedy, and have to see SO MUCH sadness and grief ffs. It was just far too much.

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