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| My GhostDaddy is hotter than your real Daddy |
The show has gone to great lengths in an attempt to redeem themselves by giving us vintage Patrick in his Top Most Requested Patrick-esque forms. We've had sexy snarky jealous Ghost Patrick, who made me smile with his third wheel date behaviour when Nina sat down with Laurence for a coffee. We've had Broody Ghost Patrick, who walked away from being in a weird paranormal threesome with Nina and Mina (Male Nina - so clearly a cipher for her). We've had Sex It Up Ghost Patrick, who transported himself through actual heaven to help Nina have an orgasm. We've had OMG Parent Patrick, who held Zoe whilst walking in a dappling Melbourne sun filled park and caused the viewers ovaries to explode. Basically, with all this Ghost Patrick someone needs to call Jennifer Love Hewitt pronto and get Patrick passed over!
The problem for the show, is they're still giving us Patrick. If you going to be brave and bold and take the leap to kill him, then follow through. Because right now, his absence is louder than Nina's presence and it's really hurting her as a character. What's left of the Nina behind is still a relatively okay character but with Ghost Patrick in all sexy forms still lingering, she is defined by him. And when he's not spooking in and out, Nina slips into Season 1 great annoyance Nina, she of the babbling, professionally questionable and all around stuttering mess.
I will however give great applause, to potentially one of my favourite scenes the show has ever done. Nina's discussion with her ex-husband (remember him?!) when she actually confessed to Patrick's passing was so well done. From script, to shots, to the acting itself - it was glorious. It was funny and heartbreaking and the reason I still check into Offspring - for those moments of grounded reality, touched by pathos.
The sideline stuff is the usual array of sublime to stupid insanity. Thankfully we've dialed right back on Geraldine and all her nonsense and focused of the Proudman siblings. Jimmy, continues to earn his name back, with his childlike wonder mixed with his ability to break Zara and being positive and hopeful while those around him crumble.
After the horrific cheating, life downward spiral plot that gave Kat Stewart a great show reel - Billie seems back on track as a character. Her awkward Laurence non-dating, mixed with that truly sad break up Skype call with Mick (Eddie Perfect, you're a monster! A talented, puppy dog eyes of sadness monster!) was sublime and I will be interested to see how the show plays Billie moving forward.
But really, the show, much like Kate Middleton was when she had a break from Prince Will for a while, was always asked about that person - can't escape Patrick. In making him the headline banner act, they've committed themselves to him be woven into the DNA. The problem for me is that instead of slowly loosening the threads of Patrick's presence, they're tightening them and cementing Nina's one true pairing (OTP - for the kids!) status to Patrick. Sure, in real life, death sadly happens and people can, do and should move on but in a serialised rom-com drama - where time jumps don't time jump an audiences memories further back - the ability to create the distance starts with actual distance. For Nina, for the show - it needs it. For my slight (who am I kidding, massive!) Matt Le Nevez crush and enjoyment factor of seeing him on this TV show, it's horrible.
But enough from me? What are your thoughts on Season 5 and how would you solve (or not) the Patrick Problem?
The most damn decision writers ever made…. Killing off Patrick and take away the main reason to watch this show which is the relationship of Nina & Patrick …
ReplyDeleteHow do they want us to move on if Patrick is still there and his scenes with Nina are so beautiful, heartbreaking and sexy ….(better than what they had in season 4)
Lawrence is definitely hot, but boring character …and seriously can't understand why a young, hot guy is hanging out with Nina and Billie…they are very attractive women but too old for him …
Patrick Brammall (Leo) - Brave actor to take this part…big shoes to fill …. many angry fans to please … good luck!
And we know his coming back to the show.
First 3 seasons were brilliant and funny and moving at the same time. they couldn’t get to the same level of quality in the 4th season and a I am not sure yet about the 5th season.
The drama too dramatic and the funny scenes are too silly … and quirky.
For sure this season will have happy ending to all characters (same as season 3) since they already filmed this season and they don’t know if there will be season 6.
If this is the last season, why not with Patrick? Did they kill him for nothing? I guess we will never know the real reason to kill him off..
Thanks Felicity for writing a new post. It is always nice to see your insights, as well as the intelligent comments that follow suit.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I am finding it very hard to engage with Offspring this season. Even though I have seen short glimpses online, I'm yet to sit throughout a full episode. Some dialogues are annoying to no end, especially the ones related to Nina's (lack of) sex life.
Although I have come to assume Patrick's death, I still think any sort of dating should be out of the question for Nina's character during this season.
It's only been 6 months and she has a new baby. Plus, she has returned to work. As Felicity said, this should keep her busy enough without the need to go the dating route.
Besides, I find the show to be a bit conniving at this point. Obviously no one involved would accept that killing Patrick off has been the biggest mistake ever.
So, fans get to see him again and consequently exploit heartbreaking scenes to no end.
These authors seem to want to have the cake and eat it too.
How to solve the Patrick problem?
ReplyDeleteSitting here thinking about this question – how to solve the Patrick problem?
I think to solve this we really need to understand what it is that we loved about the show pre-Patrick and understand how things have changed with Patrick being present and now ghost Patrick’s place.
Pre-Patrick - For me, if I really break it down, I enjoyed that the characters were not presented as perfect packages, but flawed, interesting and multi- dimensional. I think everyone can relate to being flawed, and Nina’s insecurities were something everyone could relate to in some way.
The show never avoided a characters flaws but revelled in them and brought comedy to it. For example the “your sister’s a six” song and everything that went with that. I mean it pretty bold to have your main character do that – but the genius was they brought comedy to it, without playing down what a terrible act that it was.
Patrick’s time –I think I most enjoyed the initial romance and the show had me believing in it. Again let us not forget the way the show showed Patrick (flaws and all). I enjoyed the side of him grieving for his son (I do think that could have been explored more). I did enjoy the dysfunction of their relationship to a point, however the break-up didn’t seem to be organic and the getting back together seemed rushed in one episode. Also *insert a montage of Patrick with his shirt off*.
However aside from the main story line for Nina, I also enjoyed Billie’s journey and the heartbreak of her losing the baby and then facing fertility issues.
Something that has just struck me – what ever happened to that gift Patrick was making for Zoe????? Furthermore I can’t help but wish he was around for the fatherhood role – I think that would have been really special … Anyway I digress..
Post Patrick – I am enjoying the relationship between Nina and Billie. At the moment this is the heart of the show. I do love that first scene of the first episode where it showed the last 6 months of Nina trying to cop and Billie being strong and picking up the pieces when necessary.
I am not objecting to Leo as a character (Mina – I love it!). I like that he seems complex. However I am not a fan of him and Nina together at this stage.
I miss Kate and want more of Clegg and Noonan.
I am really enjoying ghost Patrick however it isn’t helping me move on.
So how to solve the Patrick problem you ask??
In one sentence – explore the substance and flaws in the characters while keeping the comedy alive.
1. Bring Kate to come back from to Australia. She is a wonderful character.
2. More Clegg and Noonan. To me they are wonderfully flawed and endearing characters.
3. Examine motherhood (and motherhood fails) from Nina’s perspective (there is so much potential for comedy but also touching moments).
4. I want to see the trials and tribulations of Nina’s profession (you could be forgiven if you have forgotten that she delivers babies for a living given how much air time that gets!).
5. I want Billie to go on a series of dates – see the funny and awkward situations that can arise. I want her to deal with the breakup. However my prediction is that she will fall pregnant in true Proudman ‘accidental’ style.
Thank you Felicity, for posting again and verbalising what many of us feel.
ReplyDeleteInserting Patrick as much as they have in the first few episodes really should come to a halt, The producers should exclaim a "mia culpa" and not have Patrick lingering on. It is patronising the viewers-we know he's dead, let's not pretend anymore. Move on.
But moving on is a slow process. It seems that instead of these horrifying moments of discussing Nina'a sex life and orgasms, which seems so inappropriate for the circumstances, the story should concentrate more on Billie finding a rewarding relationship, albeit with Lawrence or keep exploring the wonderful closeness of the siblings, as was shown at the end of episode 3.
Even bringing in Clegg and Kim with her breakup was good, as they are delightfully portrayed by great acting. It's a shame that Eddie Perfect's Mick wont be around - Mick was a great character.
In short, it almost feels that Nina sways from the sublime to the ridiculous. Either too dramatic or too slapstick. If she were to develop a deep friendship with this Leo character, which wasn't based on first glances, looks and initial one night stands, it could be a meaningful directionfor the show. Don't forget that Nina and Patrick's relationship began as a result of sexual tension possibly born out of attraction/ irritation with each other. It took ages until they were at a good place and even then there were issues. We don't need another season of that.
No need to have a romantic/sexual interest this early in the game. It's demeaning to watch.
Again; there have been lovely scenes so far but they are few and far between. It still genuinely feels as if the writers realize how killing off Patrick was a mistake and how they are trying to exonerate themselves by a) having him in Nina's mind and inserting MLN in the episodes and b) inserting a new potential love or sex life for Nina, despite her not being able to even remotely deal with this. Not flattering for the character or the actress portraying her.
Felicity, I think you will have your wish and the writers will soon rid S5 of the lovely MLN. The writers have used him as a bit of a hook to draw in fans for the beginning of the season. Sometime later he will appear to Nina and give his blessing to her moving on. Haven't been happy since the writers killed him off nor actually with Asher Keddie ,saying she was happy with the way S4 went, to be honest. The writers seem to have forgotten what they themselves have written about Nina. She takes years to get over a breakup but can move on after the love of her life and father of her baby dies so tragically. Will not be able to watch Patrick Brammall ( can only see him as the kooky Moody Brother) or any other character take on the role of parenting Patrick's baby. In fact will not be watching any way. Haven't since before his death but will be happy to read everyone's thoughts here.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, I couldn't agree more, especially about what Asher said, it was such a disappointment.
DeleteNina and Patrick had this amazing chemistry from the very first scene…even when they didn’t like each other (at the beginning) Leo and Nina too awkward together… zero chemistry ...
Just by chance, I stumbled onto Season 1 and 2 of the show as it is bing shown on a rerun basis along with other staples such as Grey's Anatomy, Sherlock etc. It is only shown on cable here in Israel.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to analyze in part the anatomy of the series, I must say that Nina is radically silly and annoying at present yet was wonderfully quirky in the past.
I honestly don't set a time to watch reruns but it passes the time when ironing or folding laundry. I realized why I had fallen in love with the series then and out of love during season 4. Obviously, the tragic story line didn't add much for me but it was more than that. And season 5 is just reinforcing my theory that Nina is appearing more and more comical in each episode, Whilst she has moments of touching and moving lines, they are few and far between. It's a bit hard to stomach. Nothing like the woman from the earlier seasons. And this, my friends, could be a deal breaker when you love a show. I cannot find the empathy for Nina that I felt previously. On the other hand, I keep watching because Billie is riveting. She is evolving in every episode and Kat Stewart has become the reason to watch.
I truly could do without Patrick's ghost, Nina's antics and just focus on Billie and her life, at this point, It's far more interesting!
Newsflash - Matt Le Nevez is joining the cast of Love Child.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/matt-le-nevez-to-join-tv-hit-drama-love-child-20140428-37dq3.html
How to solve the Patrick problem? I think there is a problem here between how the writers would envisage Nina coping with death and what the audience can tolerate. I guess its possible that the writers/ producers have kept MLN in S5 to keep interest in the fanbase but I choose to think it was done more as a way to keep with Nina's transportation into imagination tendencies. I know I've said it before but a 12 month gap would have been much better in terms of making the time frame more acceptable to the audience for Nina to find a new romantic partner, however in real life not everyone waits acceptable time frames and sometimes opportunity presents itself. I think it would have worked better for the Billie/ Mick story as well. Overall I agree with Fee, that Bille and Asher are what make offspring S5 work at the moment. I did really enjoy Billie trying to take control of Lawrence last week and her confusion that he handled her in the way he did. I can't see them in a relationship but it would be interesting to see them try.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the backlash against the Leo character. I would like to see Nina have a relationship with a less broody complex man where there could be more laughs and lightness. I think the backlash says a lot about how well Patrick met the fantasy of many women - good looking, confident in the bedroom but difficult in temperament and needing to be tamed. which in reality rarely goes well and now she has a child an easier going choice would be better. I think given the timing and her nerves - Leo was a man she had just met, not someone she had worked with for some time and she met him whilst grieving its unfair to say there could never be chemistry, it could be just timing.
time will tell where it goes - the pool/ towel incident guy or someone else or the possibility of no-one - lets just hope they balance out Nina's character with less arm flapping antics and more subtelty
I haven't watched this season but judging from the O on 10 page I am happy that everyone has taken to Patrick Brammall. He is so awesome in everything. Plus the character as you say is a departure from the moody unavailables of the past.
DeleteYes I think pitting him against philandering Thomas with his wooden acting boosted his popularity. some people cannot get over the sensitive male and want more the broody difficult type for Nina and insist he is not right for her, but I think over all he is winning over. for my part I have always liked the character - such a departure from the past but in a good way. he is somewhat like Dr chris who was also not difficult I think but with more charisma and openness.
DeletePoor Thomas has been bashed so much on facebook.
DeleteHope Leo is less passive than Chris though!
Leo definitely not as passive as Dr Chris.
DeleteCheating husband type characters always get a bashing and the actor can always blame the characterisation and writing not his acting
Yeah cheating husband=hate. Was the acting that bad?
DeleteI guess the writers successfully managed to make the audience move on from Patrick so you have to give that to them. It makes sense to have uber nice guy instead of someone hotter and broodier than Patrick because that wouldn't work.
See I am not opposed to Leo's charactor (having a Mina around could even be amusing) however I just am not liking them (the writers) appearing to rush into giving Nina another love interest. Reality is that many fans (IMHO) are not ready for it and are still grieving.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah - i guess that is why I would prefer to see Leo as a love interest for Billie.
So much to like about this episode. the birthing marriage was a low - truly awful - but I thought otherwise some very touching scenes with beautiful writing. the awkwardness with Leo, Billie's transition to a more in charge of herself woman with standards gets a big tick.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first episode of the season that I watched almost in full. I haven't watched a single bit of last week's and don't think I missed much.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just came here to comment that this episode would have been a very fitting and perfect finale.
Bits I liked:
Billie - finding peace and realising that she has been underestimating herself all along.
Geraldine - being a comforting mother to a grieving Nina
Martin - being a caring, supportive and sensitive friend
Jimmy and Zara - for naming their baby 'Paddy Perkins Proudman!'
Nina - realising that Patrick will always be a part of her, but that she will eventually need to move on with her life.
At this stage, it feels the most suitable ending this series could ever have. Seriously.
For me this was probably the best episode yet for this season (aside from me still being ‘in mourning’)
ReplyDeleteI had three stand out moments for me this ep were:
1.The scene with Nina and Geraldine – probably the first time I have ever enjoyed her character.
2.The scene where Billie takes control and chooses against getting it on with Lawrence.
3.The scene where Klegg and Nina Patrick talk about how she thinks about Patrick.
The most cringe worthy scene has to be the Jimmy / Zara’s wedding/birth of little Patrick. It is a bit of a shame because a wedding or birth scene should be emotional.
When Klegg is serious its so beautifully done and the writing is often gorgeously crafted.
DeleteYou know I can only think of two times in offspring that Geraldine has been maternally nurturing - once when she changed Nina's sheets post Patrick-breakup and the grieving Patrick scene last night. mostly they choose to write her as crotchety, drunk and self-serving.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Patrick has Leo's organs.
ReplyDeletei'm now wondering if there is enough time for the organ story line - I was convinced after seeing the scar early on. maybe a last minute twist in last episode
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Deleteso the finale - I was happy with it. the party had a lovely vibe and was classic Offspring finale material. I think I can even say I let go of my resentment about them killing off Patrick. If the series ends, I think fans can walk away from it feeling good about the experience.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Better to end it when we still want more than to feel like thank god it's over ….perfect show finale!
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ReplyDelete