Yes, very dislikable. She’s self-righteous and narcissistic, and the kid is an out-of-control brat. It’s easier to forgive the kid, who’s a product of his environment. Some things are revealed in later episodes that explain Rosie’s indulgence of Hugo, and turn her from merely dislikable to dislikable and pathetic.
I didn’t find all of the characters hateful. I thought Anouk was OK, as was Richie. Manolis had his faults, but he seemed sincere in his efforts to be a peacemaker, and had the patience to remain married to a rigid, controlling woman.
I think it would be really difficult to bring the story to a US location because the story is about uniquely Australian tensions between cultures in Australia/Melbourne. Among other groups there is a big focus on ‘Greek’ vs ‘Skip’ cultures, which can’t be replicated with a US cast and setting.
OK just watched first ep. I’m intrigued! I’m not too clear on their relationships, either. Yes, they were pretty horrid, and even though slapping a kid is a bit out of line, it was nice to see someone finally stand up to the little kid and put him in his place.
I also really like Brian Cox here. Well, I always like him, but he’s also the only character I don’t hate.
Finished ep 2. Relies a little heavily on stereotypes, but it’s interesting. I may start watching the Australian version, since that’s on netflix instant and it sounds like it’s gotten a good reception.
As is usually the case, the book gives far more detail (hence the temptation to use narrator eposition). It’s OK, and better than the Aussie show at least. If you want to read the book I’ll send it to you.
Perhaps it’s me, but the NBC narrator sounds like a younger William Shatner.
I guess they had to have the scene with Harry and his wife as I found Hugo to be so irritating I wanted somebody to slap him. If Harry was just a guy who reacted badly to having his foot stomped on, he wouldn’t be loathsome enough. But now he’s threatened his wife (who he cheats on), so yay! He’s now an irredeemable baddie!
Just saw the preview for next week… last time I saw Uma Thurman holding a pregnancy test, about 100 people ended up dying. Wouldn’t be disappointed if she went all Bride on this crew, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Thanks for the offer! I actually started watching the Aussie one on Netflix–got pretty far actually. All the way to Manolis. I like it quite a bit. Feels a bit more nuanced than the American one–the Aussie “Harry” ep was similar to the American one but in a few key ways differed. I also thought it was interesting how they portrayed Hector’s issues with his son in the Aussie one. Might pick up book at my local 'brary–I see they have it.
You mentioned the Greek vs. skip thing–there definitely seems to be a feeling, in the Greek one, that Rosie/Gary aren’t “one of us.” Hard to see how that will translate.
I’ll tune in to the American one, though…will be cool to see what they tweak.
Forgive me for bumping this again; I promise this is the last beating I’m going to give this apparently dead horse.
It looks as though now each episode is going to revolve around one character and their personal drama. Last night’s was Uma Thruman’s character (Anouk). Wow, what a fine job she did, along with Blythe Danner who plays her mother.
I swear I’m not a pimp for the show, just thought I’d check in again for those who didn’t like it because of “the slap” part of the premise. We’re getting into some really schmaltzy drama now (if that’s your bag )
I started to watch but tuned out…after having seen the Australia version, it was hard to get into this one. Though I’m going to try to watch it on the website later. The Aussie one is a lot subtler–I felt like they were really hitting us over the head with exposition. Stuff like, “Well he IS my cousin-in-law” and so on. I feel like in general the Aussie version left more to the viewer, trusted audiences more.
Also, found it a bit jarring that they flipped the order–Anouk’s episode was second in the Aussie one, while Harry’s was second in the American one.
I couldn’t watch the show after the commercials made it so blatantly obvious that the little shit totally deserved the slap. Sounds like I haven’t missed much from the way y’alls are describing it.
Well, this one ended not too long ago and I toughed it out. Kind of a bizarre show in that nothing was ever really resolved one way or another, but then life isn’t really resolved one way or another most times.
Here’s how the central conflict ended (spoilered, just because)
The trial ended with Harry being found guilty, given the least penalty he could be given, and the judge also laying the smackdown on Hugo’s mom for wasting everybody’s time.
Upon reflection, she was also chastising the shows creators, the audience, pretty much everybody involved in this thing. Very meta.
My father bought me the book for Xmas a few years ago. He made the comment that he thought I might identify with the network of family/friends depicted. I was somewhat stunned when I began to read. Does my father actually think that’s the sort of life I lead? I guess I don’t really mix my father with my friends much if at all so he has jumped to strange conclusions. In fact I found it hard to identify with the lives the characters lead and I didn’t get past the first few chapters.
If Harry was just a guy who reacted badly to having his foot stomped on, he wouldn’t be loathsome enough. But now he’s threatened his wife (who he cheats on), so yay! He’s now an irredeemable baddie!
I actually started watching the Aussie one on Netflix–got pretty far actually. All the way to Manolis. I like it quite a bit. Feels a bit more nuanced than the American one–the Aussie “Harry” ep was similar to the American one but in a few key ways differed. I also thought it was interesting how they portrayed Hector’s issues with his son in the Aussie one. Might pick up book at my local 'brary–I see they have it.
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