So disappointed with Motherland **Thread contains spoilers**

[Fenty1]

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

I understand if you were looking for some light Christmas comedy/relief then it wasn’t for you.

I thought it was brilliant though, but then I’m a massive Sharon Horgan fan. It’s so hard to write comedy with sadness woven in and do it well. I’m amazed I can be crying one minute and giggling the next.

I love that it wasn’t smaltzy. That they didn’t shy away from tough topics. That Christmas can be shit for many. I love the friendships that they have in this series and how they’ve developed.

Ultimately Amanda told her Mum to do one and was welcomed with open arms to Anne’s house. It really was all about friendships this episode. And how amazing that we all felt sorry for Amanda after disliking her for all the other series. I welled up when she tried to give Julia a hug. Very clever writing.

I agree - my sister couldn't keep up with it at all

I loved it. I have had an awful year and will find this Christmas very hard. I feel like all the hallmark Christmas films with happy endings are nice but they make me sad, because that won't happen for me this year. I feel seen. It's nice not to feel so alone.

I've re watched this morning without the power of Malbec and I think it's great. I enjoyed it last night but really enjoyed second time round. I lost a close relative Christmas Eve a few years ago but didn't find Marion dying hard to watch. I thought the way they protected the children so the day wasn't ruined so touching. Kevin was marvellous as usual and his Salt Bae act was so funny. I think there were so many laughs and good one liners even in the midst of Julia's grief. The Stilton wheel! And Amanda giving her mother the big fat fuck off was great.
I'll no doubt watch it again before new year and find more bits I missed first time round.
Would have loved to have seen Sam shepherd but I interpreted Liz feeling sorry for Lee as a suggestion her and Sam aren't together anymore and she is feeling a bit sad so Lee has got under her skin with his son story

*sob story

Yes that's what I thought too! I just found it strange that the line was recycled from a previous episode and wondered whether it was intentional or not.

Perhaps Amanda had been brought up on the concept.

At the start Kevin said about Maui (as in from Moana) saying "You're welcome"

I think the reason Amanda’s mum was worse was because she was put into such an uncomfortable situation. I know people who always manage to say the worst possible thing just when you really need them to be tactful. It also justified Amanda giving her what for which was my favourite bit. Love Joanna Lumley.

I definitely vote for @mnahmnah writing the next Xmas episode

Yes! I noticed that too as it's one my favourite lines. I was hoping they'd rolled it out as a little present for the die hard fans. 😂

I loved it. It wasn't big on laugh out loud moments but was really well done and demonstrated that not all Christmases are perfect and the friends rallying in round when you really need them.

I also loved when Kevin asked when they'd have their Christmas walk and Julia had no clue what he meant. We don't bother either, just stay indoors for the day.

I liked it too. It was sad but thought provoking. I thought the Meg storyline was a bit shit but the Amanda part was fab especially when she told her awful mum to fuck off. Reminded me off the Chris finch moment in The Office.

It was sad and I also kept thinking Marion was going to wake up and it was a hilarious joke but no. I thought it was very well acted and lovely to see the friendship between Julia, Kevin and Liz become even stronger. Julia's husband is still a prick though.

Loved it and have watched it twice already, although yes there were tears.
I was actually expecting her to wake up

I loved Meg, but what on earth have they done to her character? And that stupid trike thing??? Ffs, this is a powerhouse woman with three assistants, and suddenly she's all meek and quiet and drowning her silent sorrows with Bailey's? Really disappointing.

I'll miss the dynamic between Julia and her mum as I thought that was funny and highlighted how across the generations the experience was the same but different.

I didn't think it was a great episode though.

I thought the Mau Mau thing was more than just a bit racist. He was doing much the same as Susan Hussey and her ‘but where are you really from?’. But I think that was too recent to have been caught by the writers.

I loved it and I've lost both my parents (that makes me sound very careless....). I can see why it wasn't everyone's cup of tea but life contains loss and deaths and painful things too. Sometimes there is a certain amount of farce accompanying a death even IRL.

I was disappointed with Meg, sitting on a garden wall, drinking a bottle of Bailey's and later asking for cocaine because she didn't like her hat? Why does Julia put up with that ghastly husband? I wish some of the women would be a bit stronger, there's a bit too much martyrdom. Kevin was brilliant - as ever.

Good point and Liz and Lee - the Shepherd wasn’t mentioned once so maybe they’re not together and she’s feeling vulnerable.

I really wish they’d made it an hour - there was so much more to explore. Would have loved to have seen more of Anne. And understood what was going on with Liz.

I’m torn. I did love it as had everything in it

ex relationships, crap and insensitive partners, annoying in laws, hurtful pregnancy announcements , blended families and good friends always there

equally didn't expect death as usually motherland is funny and we need laughter after the shit of tho increasing costs of food petrol and gas and electricity

but that’s life

does happen. Parent die

so also good to show her grief

I loved it. Christmas is often very difficult and bittersweet and this captured that beautifully.

Absolutely agree

Is ringing for an ambulance usual when someone dies at home?
I thought a GP would come to the house and certify the death and then the undertakers take the remains.
I think in every case of unexpected death the police attend.
Is it all different in England ?
I'm not sure it makes sense to take the deceased to a hospital .

I welled up when Amanda found out about the pregnancy. Been there in similarly hideous circumstances.
It was a lifetime ago but touched a still raw nerve.

That's what I said. OK I said 'a bit' because i thought he was struggling to make conversation and brought up what he thought might be interesting getting it badly wrong. I mentioned the 'where are you really from?' thing. I was a bit confused when I posted as I thought I'd heard something different to everyone else but that has been explained.

@memyselfi I think you might have a long wait for a GP on Christmas day. You can phone 999 in that situation.