It’s taken Culture Journal Ireland a while to get into this one, but with seemingly everyone talking about Normal People, for one reason or another, we felt it was about time we cast our eye across this much hyped phenomenon.
Based on the novel by the same name by Sally Rooney and directed by award winning directors Lennie Abrahamson and Hettie McDonald, the series is set in a fictional co. Sligo town and in the latter stages Dublin.
The two main characters played by Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal, are key two the whole thing. The two leads are likable and seem like a natural fit on screen. In the early stages they come across as the sort of characters that, if we didn’t know anyone like them when you were at school yourself then it’s a pretty safe bet that we were them. The popular one and the nerdy, daydreaming bookworm. Each character from opposite ends of the social spectrum, their paths cross, in part, because Connell’s mother, (played by Sarah Greene who was previously seen in fellow BBC/RTÉ co-production Dublin Murders) who is a cleaner for Marianne’s mother.
In school Marianne is seen as a social pariah, someone who isn’t popular among the “cool kids”. These early scenes perfectly illustrate the laddish culture that many fall into the trap of. The characters somehow forge a bond that some seem unlikely because each sees something in the other that’s hidden beneath the shallow surfaces that so many are obsessed with in school. Because of this they soon become romantically involved, and therein lies the much publicised controversary the show has attracted as the two become physically and emotionally involved. The two leads work well together on screen, often appearing nervous and hesitant, a realistic element of many relationships.
As the two approach leaving school the two decide to both go to Trinity College, one of the top universities in Ireland, this is no ordinary television series, this is a television series for top notch smart people! Presumably this is a semi-autobiographical element as Rooney herself went to Trinity, and let’s face it is probably always a popular choice.
The difference in class is there for all two see, but, unlike many programmes it isn’t addressed overtly until roughly the middle of the series, Connell commenting on how crazy it is that they are each able to travel. This particular scene seemed a bit awkward and not needed. It is already understood that the two come from different backgrounds and this sort of overt signposting just serves as a distraction.
Much has been of the sex scenes in Normal People. They are indeed frequent and graphic at times, which has been the basis for much of the criticism. Some of the scenes could, if you were being ultra-critical seem to come when the dialogue runs dry. If this is focused on too much however many of the more subtle nuances can be overlooked. Some of the better scenes illustrate the tenderness and respect for each other that the two main characters genuinely seem to have. There is a shy awkwardness between the two lovers, typical both of their age and the stage the relationship is in. At their most graphic, (without giving too much away) some of the scenes where the two are apart merely go to illustrate the point further that perhaps these are two people that work better together than they do with anyone else.
There are a wealth of characters who compliment the front pair beautifully, from the mischievous and cheeky Peggy, (played by an unrecognisable India Mullen, who some might remember as the long suffering Hennessey in Red Rock), there is also Joanna, the sort of quirky hippy girl type that almost everyone must have gone to college with. Then there’s Jamie, the one that almost everyone (including Connell) love to hate, the sleazy slime ball yuppy type. This character is played almost perfectly by Fionn O’Shea. His sense of privilege is overt, and in this case works because it seems typical of the character. The only difference being that you don’t know if he’s a cliché or a parody and it’s hard to see how the character can have anything other than limited use.
One of the most interesting elements of the series which works very well is the insecurities that both the main characters display, Connell at times unable to express himself full. The fact that he is quite often unable to finish his sentences has recently become the subject of parody. It is however, fair to say that many men, whether they be Irish or otherwise are often unable to express their true selves,; often relying on alcohol in order to do so and this is an important component in the difficulties Marianne and Connell face. Another important and contrasting component however, is the fact that Marianne also displays insecurities to someone who quite clearly loves her. She is quite often describing herself as ugly and questioning why anyone would love her.
On the whole, once you look past the supposed controversy this series has attracted as well as the obvious weaknesses, what you are left with is a well made Irish drama which has more tenderness than titillation.
The only question to be asked is, if there is to be a second series; which, given the success of the first one there undoubtedly will be, where will it go? If it follows the same pattern as this one many casual viewers may drop off. If the two star-crossed lovers do not end up together; as many loyal fans might hope for, then that loyalty may soon wain. What cannot be denied is that this series has unleashed two bright young stars into the acting world and it will be interesting to see where both they and the series go from here.
{"id":"6","mode":"button","open_style":"in_place","currency_code":"EUR","currency_symbol":"\u20ac","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/culturejournalireland.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/culturejournalireland.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":100,"top_media_type":"featured_image","featured_image_url":"https:\/\/culturejournalireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1565225277759-56x100.jpg","featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"Leave a tip","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Donate","payment_request_label":"Culture Journal Ireland","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"Culture Journal Ireland","form_subtitle":"We are writing reviews for you","currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you for being a supporter!","payment_confirmation_title":"Culture Journal Ireland","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"Contribute what you can","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Contribute what you can"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Contribute what you can"},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Contribute what you can"}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Tip us as often as you can for as many posts as you want"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Tip us as often as you can for as many posts as you want"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Tip us as often as you can for as many posts as you want"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":"Culture Journal Ireland will use all money given to it to maintain it's upkeep. Any other purposes will be publicised","terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}
You must log in to post a comment.