Spending Time with a some Normal People

'Most people go through their whole lives, without ever really feeling that close with anyone.'

Sally Rooney

I have my television on a lot.  Fore the most part, it's like background noise as I go through my day.  I sometimes have it on when I cook, when I eat, when I clean, or do projects around the house.  I have it on when I'm preparing for work, when I'm reading and when I'm working on the blog.  I noticed however a few years ago, there's very few television shows that I actually watch.

By watch, I mean a show that I give my full attention.  There's very few.  Maybe it's a bit of my adult ADD, but my mind tends to wander, especially when I concentrating on something.  It means I'm much more productive, doing several things at once.  I don't always finish them all, but I accomplish more than when I focus on just one thing.  I say all this, to let you know that I easily was able to watch, focus solely and devour each of the 12 episodes of  Normal People.

I loved Normal People.  I loved the story, I loved the direction, I loved the entire company of actors.  Led by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne) and Paul Mescal. (Connell)  Each of the shows 30 minutes episodes were on their own,  almost like a mini-movie.  Although the time line of the show spans just a few years, the show moves from location to location, and section of time to create several different worlds and lifetimes for Marianne and Connell to work their way through.

'People are a lot more knowable than they think they are.'

I won't share any story details, I know many of you have already seen it.  For those who who haven't,I strongly recommend you find a way to do so. I actually hesitated writing about the show, and posting images of the nude scenes, because of how much I loved and respected the project.  I finished watching awhile ago, but wanted a bit of time to process it.  I took my time watching, I binged, but paced myself to watch just two episodes per night, in order to extend the number of nights I could watch.

There is a fair bit of nudity, from both male and female leads, and although the actors certainly have been objectified by many, it's both a sad side affect of on-screen nudity, yet also completely understandable.  The writing was so raw, the acting so real, and the direction so intimate, viewers were taken deeper into a couples emotional nexus than most movies strive, or able to accomplish.

I loved Marianne, and was in love with Connell.  You felt every beat of their relationship, from unhealthy beginnings, to ups and downs that followed. Their sexual relationship was so intimate, and also one of the factors which created their unique bond.  It was crucial these  scenes worked as they sort of acted as the intro, to each chapter and piece of their relationship, and the changes which occur throughout their story.

I  am going objectify Connell, with a focus on the nude scenes in the second part of my post on the NEXT PAGE.  The nudity as stated was important, but one of many important pieces of this brilliant television series. Mescal created a character you not only loved, but respected, sympathized with, rooted for and cried with.  He also created a character you lusted for, something the directors and camera work encouraged and enabled.  They were wanting or pulling you look at his penis or any specific body part, but they did want you to see him, and see all of him.