World on Fire Season 2

[Lavenderu]

Absolutely loved this WWII series.
Season 1 was 4 years ago, I'd given up hoping for season 2. Going to re-watch season 1 which is being repeated on iPlayer.

I was disappointed that Sean Bean wasn't in it. I'm sure I read that he took the job because he wanted a role where he didn't die!
I'm having trouble remembering the characters from the first series!

i might have to watch the last episode of series 1
struggling to remember

I watched the first two episodes of series 2 last night & I really enjoyed it. The gradual unthawing of the Lesley Manville character is entertainingly done. It's much better than most current dramas, in spite of the lack of Sean Bean.

I rewatched series 1 ready for series 2 and I'm glad I did. I wish we had seen some of Kasia and Harry's journey across Europe and I'm sorry that Sean Bean and Helen Hunt are both missing. Saying that, I really enjoyed it and will watch the rest of it.

Is this going to be a spoiler thread, ie open to binge watchers commentating.

I was prepared to be disappointed and sad Sean Bean's character had gone as in fact the interaction between him the dreadfully snobby Robina was some of the best dialogue.

And much as I admire Mark Bonnar he is too often is cast as smooth upper class operators (which seeing Guilt makes me think he is bored of) so there wont be the spark in the dialogue beteen working class pacifist and aspiring middle class patriot.

Also like the way they bring in how the war is impacting people in countries.

(Didn't the scenes in the desert just illustrate how chronically stupid the series about the SAS was - ie stupid boys own nonsense)

I do suspect that Lois joining the ATS that just happens to have a posting to Cairo may be too much of a plot twist.

And isn't it great that Lesley Manville who has been around for some years, has just lately been offered such a range of roles compared to her previously being the down trodden wife!

So I'm on episode 2 and hope to watch 2 more.

Is it okay to come back and talk about episode 3 & 4?

So much of what we are now offered on the 9pm slot that this really stands out.

I do think it is good, but the others are such trash that it is almost a relieve to have this.

I need to binge watch series 1. I loved it and the sense of foreboding was immense.

I wasn't really aware of the writer of the series but now see he has written at least 2 other series I enjoyed (or was intrigued by).

It seemed odd to have something this well written appear out of nowhere, although obviously not nowhere. Although dont doubt there is new emerging talent waiting for their opportunity!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r3jww

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lb2c6

No spoilers here please! Need a separate thread for spoilers usually.

I thought I had read similar and that he was signed up for more than one series, but this was when s1 came out. I suspect that a hasty rewrite was required due to scheduling issues.

It was heavily impacted by COVID, if I remember correctly it was due to start filming around the time of the first lockdown. I guess once they missed their window there would have been scheduling problems getting all the parties together etc.

I am really sorry that Sean Bean isn't in it, his character was really interesting and I loved his relationship with Jan and Robina.

No spoilers here please! Need a separate thread for spoilers usually.

I would suggest that as this is already effectively a spoiler thread, that those who want one set up a week by week thread clearly labelled that that's what it is!

Having now watched so more episodes I am finding that there seems to be quite a lot of "speechifying". My memory from series 1 was that issues, politics, whatever did come up but more naturally through dialogue or arguements between characters.

Hope it doesn't get too pompous!

But still think it is so much better than the usual 9pm dreck. And finding the historical detail really interesting, though assume there is some twists and turns that are more to do with plotlines than actual facts.

I really enjoyed the parts when they were defusing the mines in the sandstorm, very tense

I've watched ep 1 but will bow out of thread now as I will be taking my time over the rest of it and don't want spoilers.

I'm sad about the lack of Sean Bean but am liking the sexy bomb disposal guy. Hoping he'll feature for the rest of series.

There's another thread now without spoilers.

luckily iplayer tells me i got up to episode 4 of series 1
just started from the beginning as a reminder though

Sorry - my post a couple of days ago about having another thread was tongue in cheek. But as there is now a week by week thread is it okay to discuss.

But just to say I am in a bit of a state of shock and disappointment.

Only 6 episodes.

I couldn't believe that was it!

This is the link for the week by week thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/4852325-world-on-fire-weekly-no-spoilers

I thought this was excellent. Trying to show war from all different sides. Love Rajib (I think that’s his name) and his passion for fighting - not because he is fighting for the British really but because he doesn’t want to be part of the German empire and he has his eye on the bigger prize - independence from Britain.

is this a spoiler thread? I have now watched it all. A few scenes made me v teary…

I thought it was good, but could have had a few more episodes.

I think them having to have short scenes to fit in all the story lines, led to some of the dialogue not being that natural but more someone make a statement.

It would have benefited from more time to allow issue to come up more naturally.

I thought the plot device of Lois turning up in Epypt was unnecessary and she could have reconsidered her thoughts of being a mother without a "chance" meeting with Harry.

But think it is good showing how the war impacted people differently.

I found it hard to believe (even for the Nazis) that they had a breeding programme, and that some in Germany would support it. (Or be too afraid to speak out against it.)
https://www.historyextra.com/period/second-world-war/woman-birth-hitler-lebensborn-aryan-child-hildegard-trutz-germany/

There is a text on the social history of the Third Reich which quotes a lady of that period recounting a conversation that she had overheard on a train between two young girls who were on their way to a centre where they would have intercourse with an SS specially selected for them. She was shocked rigid by what she overheard.

The SS were the rock stars of their day, the perfect Aryan specimens. Oddly enough some SS men protested about participating in the Lebensborn programme because it meant being unfaithful to their wives or sweethearts .- this infuriated Himmler who had dreamed up this bizarre programme.
The programme was extended to other countries. Norway was favoured because of there aryan looks and roots. After the war the mothers and babies created by the programme were horribly abused, especially the babies who grew up tainted with Nazism. They were never allowed to forget that they were born to Nazi invaders.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jun/30/kateconnolly.theobserver
Annafried from Abba

I haven't heard of (but doesn't mean it isn't happening) of any country having court cases where children whose father were part of an occupying force are allowed to sue for mistreatment.

I wonder if the women themselves (the mothers) could also sue.

Many of them were treated really badly for being collaborators. Has any man been made to suffer by society or state for fratenising with the enemy, and becoming the father of an alien child.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/05/women-victims-d-day-landings-second-world-war