Half Man - on BBCiPlayer from the 24th

[fundamentallyauthentic]

Anyone else looking forward to seeing this new show from the writer and star of Baby Reindeer that begins tomorrow?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002j18t/half-man?seriesId=trailers

The six episodes in the series will be dropped weekly from tomorrow morning at 6.00 on iPlayer and will be broadcast on BBC1 the following Tuesday at 22.40. I want to be clear that this thread is for people who won't be waiting to watch when it's broadcast. So, this is the spoiler thread, and it's OK to talk about what we've seen as soon as it's been shown on iPlayer!

He did a four year degree so if this is set in 2026 (and I think it is looking at the costumes) then we’re expected to believe he’s now mid-50s, as is Reuben. Even in the first episode I was like ‘how can they pretend some of this is set in the 80s when the modern day Niall and Reuben look late 30s’? Would have been more plausible for the school days stuff to be set early 2000s but maybe the 80s stuff sells better.

Oh I see, I didn’t realise the show was being set in these current times (2026). I agree with your point though because there’s no way either of them can pass for mid 50’s, and nor can the guy that Niall is marrying.

I feel Niall and Albie could possibly be in their 50s in the wedding scenes. I think they've greyed Jamie Bell's hair a bit there and used make-up to make him look older.

But Richard Gadd looks pretty much the same to me in the mains scenes of ep 4 (ie at his fancy house and the hospital) as he does in the wedding scenes. It annoys me when TV/films don't change hairstyles to show timeline - most of us do change our hair over the decades, plus it would help the viewer compartmentalise the timeline!

So the main scenes in episode 4 (where Niall is struggling), 14 years after the court case, are meant to be around 2007? Gosh it seems sad and quite surprising to me that Niall would be so closeted in that era. I can see why he was in denial in his uni time, but you would think that by 2007 he could be out and about on the gay bar scene rather than being so secretive and seedy. Plus his mum knew about his sexuality by then.

I'm finding it very compelling, though I can understand anyone who isn't, as it's a very strange thing to watch and far too graphic at times for me. But the acting is amazing I think, especially Stuart Campbell as young Ruben. Truly magnetic and frightening. I love the way they both change but also don't change over the years. It's an ambitious piece, to try and show such a long period and the lasting damage inflicted early on.

just seen episode 1
now that was a shock, not what i expected

@thisoldcity I agree about Stuart Campbell. I have a soft spot for him as he bears a strong resemblance to my son so like to watch him. In Half Man, he is the best I’ve seen him. He makes Ruben likeable in some scenes-he is funny and charismatic when he wants to be and then explodes into uncontrollable violence. I’m not sure another actor would be able to carry it off as well. It’s an intense watch though. I don’t find old Ruben as interesting as an actor at all

I just caught up with this week’s episode and I have to say I was pretty bored.

Apart from the last minute, the rest was mundane and didn’t really “fit” with all the previous episodes. I was really disappointed 🙄

The last minute was pretty horrific but it was the only point in the episode where I felt that Ruben’s character was true to the one we’d previously been shown.

Just seen episode 5. It's such a very weird and (I think) pointless series. The two main characters just so awful. Niall is so weak and self sabotaging and there's nothing appealing about him. Reuben is hideous but I'm also finding him ludicrous and unbelievable, like a cartoon version of a sociopath

The script is often ridiculous, especially in the scenes in the games arcade and on Niall's doorstep. The characters don't sound believable at all. I think Richard Gadd is aiming for dark humour, but it just comes across as plain daft. The women characters are so badly written. No spoilers, but WHY would this week's new character be ok with the situation she finds herself in?!

And honestly, do none of these people have anything else in their lives other than obsessing about Reuben? Who is nowhere near as interesting a character as we're expected to think

And another long shot of stomach churning violence this week. I dislike this show a bit more every week, if you couldn't tell!

Spoilers are allowed on this thread. As soon as the programme is available for viewing then the contents of the episodes can be discussed.

I was very surprised when it became clear that his girlfriend knew all about his past with men. I know that in general people are more “open” these days but even I found it a bit far fetched for her to be blasé as she was when joking about his past experiences with lorry drivers 🙄

I’m looking forward to seeing how they met!

I did laugh at the scene when they were in the antenatal class and Niall’s doll was clothed and face down in the bath and the guy who ran thw course pulled him up on it (can’t believe it was a man!!!) and Niall told him to Fuck Off! Niall really couldn’t give any less of a shit could he? 🤣

When the scene came on that showed Niall’s knocking at the male prostitute’s door, before we learnt who it was, I did wonder if it was the door of his Uni boyfriend and that was going to be how they became reunited (can’t remember his name at all).

I also agree that the doorway scene between Niall and Ruben was ridiculous. It left me feeling quite bemused really, as in the opening scene of episode 1 Ruben is trying to get his hands under Niall’s kilt and making comments/suggestions about wanting to see it/touch it etc. I genuinely cant work out if Ruben does have confused feelings about his sexuality, and towards Niall in particular?

It feels like there’s a lot to wrap up in just one episode.

How did Niall end up with this girlfriend?
How does he reunite with his Uni boyfriend?
Does Niall see his ex and the child? (are they at the wedding somewhere? Is jt amicable?)
Did Maura fall pregnant after her quickie with Niall?
Did Ruben ever find out about it?

And did Ruben flee after killing Benji? Because surely if he’d been caught and arrested for murder there’s no way he’d be free again by the time Niall’s wedding was going on considering his previous history?!

And most importantly, after seeing what Ruben had done to Benji, why did Niall go into that Barn in the first place?!?!?!

(maybe it was because he knew he was armed with that knife down his sock and intended to kill Ruben?)

I hate having to wait a week between episodes!!

'And most importantly, after seeing what Ruben had done to Benji, why did Niall go into that Barn in the first place?!?!?!'

He's already seen Reuben do the same to his poor flatmate in episode 2 so is in no doubt about what a maniac he is. I don't think it's clear at all why Niall is still so obsessed with him

Agree it was utterly bananas that the antenatal class leader was a man 🤦🏻‍♂️

But do we know yet about WHY he wanted to hurt him so badly at the wedding yet? I’m assuming after he’s just stomped on that Benji’s head he was arrested again for a long time?

I'm really finding it very compelling I have to say - it's different and I've really no idea how it's going to end (even though we have seen the dead body there are still a lot of questions). So much tv seems to be predictable and similar to other things I've seen abd this stands out for me. I think it's definitely one of those series you're going to have a strong reaction to!

Richard gagg wrote this and stars as main character so is this written as in thoughts he has in his head or own experiences, sorry if this sounds naive it's just such a weird series, I'm on ep 5 had to keep going

We don’t know, but Niall does.

I’m sure at the end of Episode 1 when Niall is talking to his husband about why Ruben is there, and Niall says something along the lines of knowing that Ruben has come there for him and that Ruben had previously told Niall that he was going to come for him one day?

I’m assuming it’s because he found out about him and Maura, and that maybe Maura got pregnant.

What could damage infertile Ruben’s ego more than knowing the brother he bullied slept with his wife and got her pregnant when it was the one “manly” job he couldn’t do himself.

I also noticed that when Ruben was giving his speech at the wedding he said numerous times that Niall is a guy who see what he wants, and takes it! I felt like it was repeated too many times for it not to have some kind of relevance to the breakdown in their relationship or to the stoeyline. He was certainly saying it in a very sinister tone.

It’s SO nearly brilliant but it’s too short a story for 6 episodes and some of the writing is like GCSE English level and really doesn’t ring true. The young characters were much better than the older ones and Gadd’s character had a total change of constitutional energy, not just the passage of time. Gadd’s acting is a real
pastoche at times which ruins what the younger actor did which was impressively blend terrifying with amusing.

such a shame the script wasn’t kept tighter.

'some of the writing is like GCSE English level and really doesn’t ring true.'

Great description!

There's an interview with Jamie Bell in the Guardian today and he explains his interpretation of the characters and the dynamic between them. I found it really interesting and thought provoking

@Lottapianosthank you, I'll take a look at that, sounds good.

I agree the younger Ruben had the character spot on, you could see how he got away with some things because he was sharp and charming when he wanted. The older one is much harder and less humorous, but maybe that's deliberate? He could do with the charm adding a bit though.

It’s like he’s a totally different person, looks wise and energy wise. TBH it’s a shame Gadd cast himself in it. He’s not a great actor.

Episode 4 was awful

And after Reuben had just sexually assaulted him among other things, then he says sorry she Niall hugs him!

Fucks sake!

There is so much to explain in this last episode this week I wonder how they can without rushing it ?
I just cannot bring myself to like Niall ,why on earth did his husband get back with him ?

I've just caught up on ep 5. Ugh Niall is becoming less and less likeable! Interesting that we're starting to see that it's not just Reuben that's villanous.
@ScaredButUnavoidable - in your post above, you mention a knife in a sock at the wedding - is that something we saw on screen (I can't remember now!)?

Yes, it was in one of the episodes where he was getting ready prior to the wedding when he was with his mum (she gave it to him I think). It was done in a way to imply that it was a Scottish ‘thing’ and to carry one inside your sock was normal and traditional, not that he was purposely hiding one there with the intention to harm someone.

It was all done quite innocently like him having one was just part of the Scottish Wedding outfit (if that makes sense).

(From Google)

Are we wondering if Mona will get pregnant with Niall’s child? I’ve just remembered something that could be meaningful looking back to the first episode - in that horrific scene when they took Niall’s virginity, didn’t Mona say something like “I’d better not be pregnant!”?
If the next episode will be the final one, then there’s quite a lot that could potentially have to be squeezed in. Mind you, a lot also happened plot wise in episode 5.