merman Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 So, Motherland was initially a comedy pilot last year for BBC Two and thanks to good audience response it was commissioned. The writing team includes Graham Linehan (Father Ted, IT Crowd) and Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe), and actors include Anna Maxwell Martin as career woman Anna and the brilliant Diane Morgan as single mum Liz. The first episode featured a chaotic birthday party, with a racist entertainer and a sick birthday girl. Anyone else watching, or identifying strongly with the characters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPickford Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 I saw the pilot but just didn't connect with that world. It's the first thing by Graham Linehan I haven't liked. Too middle class and London for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charliemouse Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 5 minutes ago, merman said: So, Motherland was initially a comedy pilot last year for BBC Two and thanks to good audience response it was commissioned. The writing team includes Graham Linehan (Father Ted, IT Crowd) and Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe), and actors include Anna Maxwell Martin as career woman Anna and the brilliant Diane Morgan as single mum Liz. The first episode featured a chaotic birthday party, with a racist entertainer and a sick birthday girl. Anyone else watching, or identifying strongly with the characters? I love it, though the first episode has easily been the best one of the 3 I have seen so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boothjan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I think this is brilliant so I've binge watched. They've absolutely nailed the 'playground mafia' aspect. Some genuine laugh out loud moments, although episode 2 was a bit weak. The episode with the in laws reminded me so much of my ex in-laws! Really enjoying it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Mike Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I think I'd find it a lot funnier if I had experience that would relate more directly. But, with no kids, I don't see any competitive parenting in my day to day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yobo Ahoy Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 Not so keen on the pool episode but other than that it's been great. My first kid is due in January and I've long been dreading all this shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Do 71 Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 I loved the auction of promises episode, so funny. Pool party episode wasn't so good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireproofradiator Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 I loved the pilot but three episodes into the series proper I'm not feeling it. Clunk is amazing but the tone is so grimly Bruegel-like I'm struggling to work up enthusiasm to continue. I'm not sure if the fact it's not in a studio and there's no laughter track (which I thought Lineham was always a fan of) is affecting things. There's a scene where the lead character is plunged into a room of screaming children in a pool changing room which would seem silly and unrealistic and playful if it was in a studio with laugh track but as it was felt a bit mean and spiritless. Basically, I need to watch some Father Ted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merman Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 On 24 November 2017 at 18:36, Fireproofradiator said: I loved the pilot but three episodes into the series proper I'm not feeling it. Clunk is amazing but the tone is so grimly Bruegel-like I'm struggling to work up enthusiasm to continue. I'm not sure if the fact it's not in a studio and there's no laughter track (which I thought Lineham was always a fan of) is affecting things. There's a scene where the lead character is plunged into a room of screaming children in a pool changing room which would seem silly and unrealistic and playful if it was in a studio with laugh track but as it was felt a bit mean and spiritless. Basically, I need to watch some Father Ted. I've been watching The IT Crowd and Linehan mentions more than once in the commentary how much he likes the studio set-up (since his favourites including Seinfeld and Fawlty Towers were filmed with an audience). But I'm guessing it was Sharon Horgan and/or Holly Walsh (co-writers with Linehan and his wife Helen) who wanted the more naturalist/documentary camera approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deKay Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 In laws and carpool episodes both amazing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZOK Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Loving this show. One of the best UK comedies I’ve seen since PhoneShop. Obviously nowhere near as good because that’s an impossibly high bar, but fantastic nevertheless. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merman Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 Really enjoyed the whole series. Diane Morgan was awesome, especially when dealing with her ex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comrade Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 They filmed Kevin's house in the place next door to me, who wants to touch me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garwoofoo Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 I've only watched the first one and the script is pretty funny but why is everyone so bloody posh? It really takes away from the show when you've got a story that's supposed to be relatable (and it is, to be fair) then it's all acted out by the usual stage-school/Oxbridge crowd that get all the BBC comedy roles. Her house is massive! Don't think I'll be bothering with the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberducker Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 I’m not sure anyone is that posh - just very middle class. anyway I think it’s pretty bloody brilliantly written and very funny. Totally nails my experience of the playground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir stiff_one Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 It’s too cringey and hard to watch but fuck yes it’s right. Now to find the catastrophe thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merman Posted September 3, 2018 Author Share Posted September 3, 2018 Repeats of series 1 started last week, series 2 has been confirmed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Do 71 Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 Maid for a week. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SozzlyJoe Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I love how it perfectly captures all the little passive-aggressive interactions that happen in families. My favourite was where her useless in-laws came to 'help' and she took them all out to a restaurant called "Only Fish" or something like that and the mother-in-law reveals, whilst sat at the table, that she doesn't like fish. "Why didn't you say?" Well, I didn't want to be a bother." Like, making sure to draw attention to how she put herself out to be helpful whilst doing the opposite.. just fantastically observed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Pibe Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Anyone watching season 2 of this? We're 3 episodes in and it's good. I think I've preferred this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZOK Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Had no idea there was a second series out, nice! Although reading the thread I notice Linehan is involved, which makes me less inclined to watch now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SozzlyJoe Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 26 minutes ago, ZOK said: Had no idea there was a second series out, nice! Although reading the thread I notice Linehan is involved, which makes me less inclined to watch now. He's dropped off the writing team for this series (though his wife is still on it). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZOK Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 I’m in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boothjan Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Watched the whole series - I preferred the first one but there are still some glorious moments. Sports day and the parents' night out being the highlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmo Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Yeah I loved it all. I don't care about who writes it, or whether or not I can relate to it - it's a great show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Death's Head Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Caught one episode of this last week and couldn't stand it - it felt like Grange Hill for middle class white adults. And I couldn't believe they pulled out the magical black lady trope - she has loads of kids! And she works! And she drinks like a maniac and kisses who she likes but she's fine the next day! And she has valuable pearls of wisdom for the put-upon white lady! I don't normally cringe at things but this took the biscuit. Must set be in the whitest bit of Acton and all. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deKay Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 That’s a trope? Never seen that in anything else before. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SozzlyJoe Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 There was an interview with the writers where they said they wanted to address the fact they had a lack of diversity. I guess they shoehorned a new character in. Then made her super successful to try to offset other stereotypes. A bit damned if you do, damned if you don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boothjan Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 55 minutes ago, deKay said: That’s a trope? Never seen that in anything else before. Nor me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZOK Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 By the way, does anyone who lives in Acton call the tube station Action Town? I would if I lived there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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