Having set the circumstances in motion in the first episode, we get to see here what Connell and Marianne’s relationship actually looks like in practice. On the one hand, there is the secretive element of it—Connell is clearly keen to avoid anyone finding out about him and Marianne, although this element is perhaps something that is lost slightly in the transition from page to screen without the benefit of his internal monologue. It’s certainly picked up loud and clear by Marianne, leading to the slight confrontation between them at the ghost house. Connell’s cowardice at school is portrayed effectively, and I found myself having less sympathy for him at this point in the show than I did in the book.
It should also be said that the show has been praised for its treatment of consent and rightly so, as depressing as it is that something that should be so perfunctory is considered unusual or groundbreaking. Both actors deserve credit for making the scene seem natural, with all of the little awkward moments you’d expect. It’s a strong episode overall and one that does some of the legwork for what we know will be a confrontation: the Debs and the end of school are looming.
Review by DeletedBlockedParent2020-05-11T14:50:54Z
Having set the circumstances in motion in the first episode, we get to see here what Connell and Marianne’s relationship actually looks like in practice. On the one hand, there is the secretive element of it—Connell is clearly keen to avoid anyone finding out about him and Marianne, although this element is perhaps something that is lost slightly in the transition from page to screen without the benefit of his internal monologue. It’s certainly picked up loud and clear by Marianne, leading to the slight confrontation between them at the ghost house. Connell’s cowardice at school is portrayed effectively, and I found myself having less sympathy for him at this point in the show than I did in the book.
It should also be said that the show has been praised for its treatment of consent and rightly so, as depressing as it is that something that should be so perfunctory is considered unusual or groundbreaking. Both actors deserve credit for making the scene seem natural, with all of the little awkward moments you’d expect. It’s a strong episode overall and one that does some of the legwork for what we know will be a confrontation: the Debs and the end of school are looming.