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Mayflies

114 replies

ToooOldForThis · 27/12/2022 22:57

Has anyone watched this tonight? I loved the book so much and was actually nervous about how well the adaptation would be done! Just watched part 1 and dying to discuss!

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ToooOldForThis · 28/12/2022 09:49

Hopeful bump!

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ThatshallotBaby · 28/12/2022 10:37

What channel please?

sailingsunshine · 28/12/2022 18:24

@ToooOldForThis , are you in Scotland? This show airs in England tonight and tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it.

Badger1970 · 28/12/2022 18:32

We watched both on iplayer. I didn't realise it was a book.

It was OK, I felt that the 2nd episode was a little formulaic and predictable, personally.

user1487194234 · 28/12/2022 18:33

Loved the book and will be watching it as soon as I get near the TV remote control (probably late 2023)

HairyKitty · 28/12/2022 18:36

Would love an update without spoilers as I’m expecting it to be too sad to watch

sailingsunshine · 28/12/2022 18:41

Oh I see it's on IPlayer, may start it before 9pm!

Poinsettia12 · 28/12/2022 18:45

Didn’t read the book but watched both back to back on iplayer and omg hit me so hard, really moving. great acting.

I found the relationship and friendship aspects of the storyline really strong, and not much time given to diagnosis storyline, no kids (or not mentioned) really let this shine

it will stay with me a while I think. Wondering whether to read the book now?

user1487194234 · 28/12/2022 19:01

You should definitely read the book

TvGorge · 28/12/2022 21:41

Fantastic house that Tully and Anna live in - what are they supposed to do for a living? I recognise it from an Insta account I follow and it's a massive house in a very nice part of Glasgow's West End. Sorry got completely distracted by the kitchen tiles and headboard of their bed! Shallow I know 😊

PoloMintPatty · 28/12/2022 21:48

TvGorge · 28/12/2022 21:41

Fantastic house that Tully and Anna live in - what are they supposed to do for a living? I recognise it from an Insta account I follow and it's a massive house in a very nice part of Glasgow's West End. Sorry got completely distracted by the kitchen tiles and headboard of their bed! Shallow I know 😊

I'm sure he's a teacher (or lecturer?) and she's a lawyer.

Loved the book, which impacted me massively when I read it. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Quite hard hitting.

TvGorge · 28/12/2022 21:49

I'm finding the casting a bit off. The ubiquitous Martin Compston is 38 and Tony Curran is 53. Martin would have been 4 in 1986 when I believe this is set.

PritiPatelsMaker · 28/12/2022 21:50

I'm finding that a bit off putting too @TvGorge

Servalan · 28/12/2022 22:10

TvGorge · 28/12/2022 21:49

I'm finding the casting a bit off. The ubiquitous Martin Compston is 38 and Tony Curran is 53. Martin would have been 4 in 1986 when I believe this is set.

I'm so glad it's not just me! I was wondering whether there was hidden storyline where Martin Compston's character had been cryogenically frozen for 15 years - why on earth has he been cast in this role?!

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 28/12/2022 22:15

I didn't like it tbh.

I was annoyed by the concept as I don't agree with euthanasia and would like to see palliative care being shown in a more positive light ie dying peacefully at home with your family around you (I'm a community nurse so I know this is possible.)

I didn't like Tully very much, he was rude to his gf/wife and wasn't a great friend either.

I found all the jumping around in time difficult to follow and got the characters confused a few times.

I normally cry at anything but was completely unmoved by the time he went to Switzerland.

Maybe the book is loads better?

Meltinthemiddle · 28/12/2022 22:22

Struggling with this!

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ToooOldForThis · 28/12/2022 22:24

Oh I'm so glad to see people here! I listened to the audio book and just LOVED it. The programme missed so much out- I don't know what it would have been like to watch it without having read the book.
The show just seemed to skim about 20% of the book! But I still really enjoyed it.
The kitchen tiles were indeed awesome! Wasn't sure about Ashley Jensen, she's not how I imagined Anna. Tony Curran was great I thought. Martin Compston...hmmm...fake tan doesn't make you look older!

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ToooOldForThis · 28/12/2022 22:25

I enjoyed all the daft chat in the book, all their teenage ramblings...maybe that wouldn't have translated to the screen?

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SammyScrounge · 28/12/2022 22:36

I liked it.Very moving. Martin put in a stoical but suffering performance.
Tully was 'all front' as Anna said. It made his meltdown all the more painful to watch as he finally exploded and stopped being brave.

If i could make one small complaint it would be that the flashbacks didn't show the depth of the friendships and the nature of them. But still I found this a very effective piece of drama.

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ToooOldForThis · 28/12/2022 22:44

@SammyScrounge that's what was missing for me having read the book...I don't know if you got the real depth of Tully's relationship with his dad, or Jimmy's lack of family which makes his bond with Tully so pivotal.

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Judystilldreamsofhorses · 28/12/2022 22:48

I think I might be the only person who didn’t like the book! I watched both episodes last night and didn’t really enjoy it either, but I thought the music was great.

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ToooOldForThis · 28/12/2022 23:04

I keep saying that I've read the book...I actually listened to it,and I think that made quite a difference. I remember thinking that if I'd been reading it I'd have been tempted to skim through some of the dialogue. Listening to it forced me to slow down and catch all the details

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Meltinthemiddle · 28/12/2022 23:37

I just really didn't like any of the characters or feel the connection. I haven't read the book so have understanding of the background.

Motnight · 28/12/2022 23:41

Servalan · 28/12/2022 22:10

I'm so glad it's not just me! I was wondering whether there was hidden storyline where Martin Compston's character had been cryogenically frozen for 15 years - why on earth has he been cast in this role?!

Show quote history

This!

LuluBlakey1 · 29/12/2022 00:24

We watched the first episode tonight. DH got bored and went to bed. I persevered but didn't like it at all. I wasn't convinced by Tully, found the jumping back and forward in time irritating and did not warm to any of the acting. It was a bit shallow and cliched.