The problem is, I don’t see how one can avoid spoilers if it’s all in one long thread, especially if, as Clic allows, people are watching episodes on different days, and maybe weeks after first broadcast.
(And I for one can only watch it via Clic).
There were “only” 8 episodes in the first series, and presumably this will be the same or similar, so “only” 8 threads…hmm…I suppose that’s a lot of threads, but each thread will presumably go quiet after a while. But I take your point about demand. Let’s wait and see if anyone else responds, and also maybe a moderator will comment about the number of threads.
I think it would be a good idea to have a separate, no spoilers barred, summary thread about Series 1, for people like @AnnaC who didn’t see series 1, and perhaps never will, to understand series 2 better, and know the characters, etc.
(People who don’t want to read series 1 spoilers would be advised not to read that thread).
As far as I know, there is no DVD of series 1, and I don’t know if it’s on Netflix or similar. It’s not on Youtube (only previews). I have found some episodes on other websites, but I doubt their legality, so would not post any links to them. So other than people having private recordings made at the time, and making them available to friends etc, I don’t see how anyone can legally watch or re-watch series 1 at this point in time. (Unless S4C repeats it of course - I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t repeat it priot to series 2 showing, as a sort of taster/ reminder. That’s what BBC does sometimes. (Or did they, and I missed it?).
AmI allowed to comment om Episode 1 of Series 2 yet? Do I do it here or will you direct me to a thread. I am up to date so if I don’t comment soon, I’ll have forgotten what I saw!!
Keep it “meta”. This thread is to decide how we go about organising the actual discussion of the series / episodes. I’m suggesting that actual discussion will be in one or more separate threads.
That’s why I asked people if they would kindly not discuss the actual series in this thread, at the beginning.
If you really can’t wait, you could start your own thread, but please warn people about spoilers and make it very clear which episode you are discussing. Thanks!
Well, having thought further, I think that @Y_Ddraig_Las is right, and just one thread for the series would be enough (and one per episode would be almost certainly OTT).
So unless there are any strong disagreements, or better ideas, I will start a thread before the end of today. (writing this on Friday 20 Jan 2017 16:50 UK time).
Hopefully, spoilers should not be too much of an issue, provided it is made clear to potential readers readers of the thread, that it will contain spoilers for any episode which has been broadcast, and this will continue as all the episodes are broadcast, until, by the end of the series, it can be assumed that it may contain spoilers for all episodes, including the ending, and that people should avoid reading the thread at all, if they are concerned by this.
House of Cards was much more true to life and the politics were realistic! The theme was personal ambition. This is more like some sort of bodice-ripper with no recollection that being gay is no longer a crime or even a disadvantage. In fact folk emerging from their closets are respected. Mind, leave it too long and it looks like cowardice!.
The series doesn’t suggest that being gay is a crime, unless that’s next week topic? The issue is more about the fact that he hasn’t discussed it with his pregnant wife!
If he is bisexual, why marry? If he is gay? Only, surely, if he thinks it’s some way shameful? A lot of writers seem to use this in plots, but really, surely it’s totally outdated? Back in the 60s, I was truly sorry for friends who were gay - though I only found out the ‘new’ meaning of gay in 1969 or 70! But when it was illegal, a lot of folk tried to force themselves to change by marrying. Surely not now?
I actually haven’t gotten that far into the show yet; only started the first episode. I didn’t find it all that gripping, but I wonder if that’s just because as a Yank I don’t know the ins and outs of Welsh politics. Also, except for SSIW most of the Welsh I know was learned from a man from Llanberis and the Cardiff accent takes some getting used to.
That might be an advantage! You will not suffer instant disbelief, as I am! Mind, I begin to think that anything is possible now! President Trump, Brexit, only one Scottish Labour MP - When will Putin make his State Visit to the USA and stay at Trump Tower???
It still happens. We have accepted that sexuality is not a simple binary gay/straight classification but a complex interaction of personality spectra. There is still homophobia and a pressure to conform to a cultural norm. Hopefully he has an interesting story. If he didn’t still have feelings for Lowri, he would have long gone, it’s interesting.
thanks for this thread - I do like the show but am far from politically astute (which will probably be evident from my questions) so appreciate reading opnions. Oh, and I live in the U.S.
So what does it mean that they have a ‘coalition government’?
And as for the portrayal of the Senedd, I am missing this. So when they refer to having a vote on something, they are referring to the Senedd, right? There are no actual scenes that portray the Senedd are there?
A coalition government is where more than one political party forms the government, by agreement of the coalition parties. A coalition government will normally have enough representatives to win a majority of any vote.
This is the ‘rainbow coalition’ of the Conservatives, “nationalists” and Liberal Democrats (Blue, green and orangy yellow). That was discussed a few years ago as the only way to keep the Labour party, ‘socialists [???]’ out of government
The government is the executive selected from the coalition parties (these are the meetings around the table they have). Then legislation is voted upon in the Senedd (which we don’t see), by all representatives, whether they are in the government or not. So, if a couple of people in the government vote against the governments proposal (effectively losing the coalition their majority on that vote) it is defeated and either it has to think again or abandon the idea put forward.
In the programme the three parties seem incredibly determined to get this coalition together and prevent fresh elections, and are prepared to make huge sacrifices to keep the TV series, sorry government, going. In reality with the proposals put forward the coalition would not last a single day, which is what I think a lot of people don’t like, it’s too far fetched.
I suspect they aren’t allowed to film in the chamber. They film around it and in publicly accessible parts, but they obviously can’t interfere with the business. In English it’s called The Welsh Assembly, y Senedd refers to building and the people.,Roughly like Congress, but with no Senate or President!
Since I wrote that @Y_Ddraig_Las put in his explanation, so I can stop there! There was one try at a rainbow coalition in the past, but anything involving theTories is almost sure to fail. Now, however, with UKIP + Tories? No, I can’t see it!
Elin Jones, the current presiding officer, was interviewed at the National Eisteddfod and she said she would welcome filming in the senate, James Bond was mentioned.
It is a government building, so getting time to use the space for non-government business is difficult and the government would have to agree to the filming and they would make sure no political bias could be construed from the choice of film and I suspect ‘byw celwydd’ would fail to be agreed upon.
So, the in program,would the 3 parties, Conservatives, Nationalists, and Lib democrats, correspond to 3 actual parties in Wales? (supposedly, I mean)
And if the coalition is an official government, how is it that the Socialists (in the program) are not able to be part of the coalition? Does the coalition get formed by a vote in the Senedd?
How often can ‘fresh elections’ take place - is there a set time frame?
Coalition is formed when no party has a majority. Realistically, the nearest to having one is likely to be Labour. They then try to find allies. It may end up as a loose alliance, vote by vote, or a more formal thing. Currently, in reai life, Kirsty Wiilams (sole remaining LibDem) is a Minister (Education) in Labour Government.
In Byw Celwydd, Toriies, LibDem and Plaid have agreed to form coalition.
There is no real equivalent in US. Like more right wing Democrats voting with Republicans maybe?
An official government? Well, the current one in Wales is Carwyn Jones’ Labour Party+ Kirsty! In Westminster, Tories led by Theresa May. In USA? Trump and majorities in House and Senate, I guess.
Elections in UK used to be 5 years or when the PM thought he/she could win. Now, I think, 4 yearly in Wales, 5 in UK
