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Original poster

The Power (Naomi alderman)

33 replies

MaireadMcSweeney · 09/04/2023 16:34

Did anyone know this existed? I've just found it on prime and I'm loving it. I adored the book too. Toni Collette is in it. Anyone else watching?

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embolass · 09/04/2023 16:37

Mmmm we’ve just started , onto ep 3 tonight. It’s ok not grabbing me yet though DH is enjoying it. I’m hard to please esp with story’s that are just so outlandish

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 09/04/2023 16:47

It's getting better each episode. Have you read the book?

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Crinkle77 · 09/04/2023 16:50

I'm watching but agree that it's not grabbing me as I'd hoped. Tonic Collette's character is a little annoying and the husband is ultra supportive it's just unrealistic. Not slightly pissed off that she was hours late for their anniversary plans. 😂

SapatSea · 10/04/2023 17:36

Awful - gave up

MarkWithaC · 10/04/2023 18:00

Watched the first one and it mainly made me feel old!
Jumpy editing, loud music...
Does it settle down?

Jumbojem · 10/04/2023 22:16

I've watched the four episodes on Prime, but I'm confused, are there more episodes to come? The storyline is only getting going, they haven't really explained the Tatiana (Russian gymnast) role. I read the book a couple of years ago so only vaguely remember the plot but at the moment it just seems to end in a weird place.

Fuerza · 10/04/2023 22:24

I read the book. I didnt love the direction it took. What platform is it on though, I would check it out even though the book disappointed me a bit.

PinkFluffyUnicornsDancingOnRainbows · 10/04/2023 23:41

I read the book a few years ago so I remember the gist of it but not many details. I've watched two episodes of the TV show and I'm enjoying it so far. The characters are all really engaging too (except possibly the ex gymnast dictator's wife).

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 11/04/2023 04:49

Jumbojem · 10/04/2023 22:16

I've watched the four episodes on Prime, but I'm confused, are there more episodes to come? The storyline is only getting going, they haven't really explained the Tatiana (Russian gymnast) role. I read the book a couple of years ago so only vaguely remember the plot but at the moment it just seems to end in a weird place.

The internet says there are more. There must be as that's not the end of the story!

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Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 11/04/2023 04:49

Fuerza · 10/04/2023 22:24

I read the book. I didnt love the direction it took. What platform is it on though, I would check it out even though the book disappointed me a bit.

It's on prime

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MarkWithaC · 11/04/2023 07:42

Yes, there are more to come. They just put the first four out together first.

Workerbeep · 12/04/2023 12:24

Haven’t read the book but enjoying it so far, I’m on episode 2

tinyblackcat · 12/04/2023 12:37

New episodes are out on Fridays. I liked the book and quite like the adaptation so far.

Theimpossiblegirl · 12/04/2023 14:05

The book took a while for me to get into but once the characters were established it really picked up. I loved it.

Love the show so far, very true to the book.

BKingso · 13/04/2023 23:07

I liked the book and am enjoying the series so far. I felt like I couldn't remember the trans nun character from the book. Sure enough, she's and addition for the series. Sounds like the author was pressurised.

www.cinemablend.com/interviews/the-power-author-talks-adding-a-transgender-character-to-her-story-and-introducing-more-diversity-into-the-series

Theimpossiblegirl · 14/04/2023 00:28

I haven't got that far yet. So a highly feminist novel has been adapted to include men then?

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 06:40

Not sure what is the point of the trans nun. If they end up giving that character the power it will make no sense at all. Hopefully it was just included for 'diversity' and the character won't show up again.

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Workerbeep · 14/04/2023 07:03

Well that’s put me off and totally ruined a tv series I was enjoying; don’t think I’ll bother with anymore episodes.

BKingso · 14/04/2023 10:07

I started a thread about it in Feminism topic as well in case Telly Addicts didn't want to get into the trans issue quagmire. People seem disappointed there too.

MarkWithaC · 14/04/2023 10:39

MaireadMcSweeney · 14/04/2023 06:40

Not sure what is the point of the trans nun. If they end up giving that character the power it will make no sense at all. Hopefully it was just included for 'diversity' and the character won't show up again.

Sounds like it was included for propaganda: this quote:

‘in the show, it's explicitly clear that you get the electric skein if you've got estrogen in your body. So trans women are women.'

Theimpossiblegirl · 14/04/2023 12:00

BKingso · 14/04/2023 10:07

I started a thread about it in Feminism topic as well in case Telly Addicts didn't want to get into the trans issue quagmire. People seem disappointed there too.

Can you link to it for those who don't normally frequent those threads? I can't seem to on my phone.

BKingso · 14/04/2023 12:15

Disappointed to read author was pressurised to add a trans woman character to The Power www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4784568-disappointed-to-read-author-was-pressurised-to-add-a-trans-woman-character-to-the-power

Hope that worked

SapatSea · 14/04/2023 18:52

MarkWithaC · 14/04/2023 10:39

Sounds like it was included for propaganda: this quote:

‘in the show, it's explicitly clear that you get the electric skein if you've got estrogen in your body. So trans women are women.'

Show quote history

That's BS. Men have estrogen in their bodies too (everyone does)- so they would have the power and if a certain amount of estrogen was needed then they could just take a supplement.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/estrogen-in-men

Estrogen in men: Symptoms of high and low levels, and more

Estrogen is a sex hormone found in both males and females, although females have higher estrogen levels than males do. Read on to learn more.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/estrogen-in-men

BKingso · 14/04/2023 19:15

Yes. In the book it certainly wasn't about "estrogen". It was about being biologically female. The concept the story is based on works when The Power is from female biology.

PinkFluffyUnicornsDancingOnRainbows · 14/04/2023 22:45

Oh that's odd, I don't remember the oestrogen thing from the book. Would that mean that it would ebb and flow during the menstrual cycle. And does it reduce after menopause (I mainly remember it being teenage girls in the novel so that part might be consistent with the book) ?

And wouldn't that mean that anyone (including a man) who wanted to increase their power could just take oestrogen, which basically negates the whole plot of the novel.

I don't think the book mentioned trans people, at all but the idea was that being physically stronger would eventually reverse the gender imbalance in society, an idea which seems to acknowledge the biological basis of inequality between the sexes.