Normal People
...is the best thing I've ever seen.
I am basically 40 years old, which makes me very wise. And in all my wisdom I’d like to share with you all about the greatest work of art that has ever been created in my lifetime and that is BBC’s limited television series Normal People based on the novel written by Sally Rooney. Yes, I read the novel. No, it was not as good as the miniseries.
Connell Waldron (center), flanked by characters Rachel (my nemesis, boooo) on the left and some other dude, Rob, who is probably the more sympathetic of the jock characters, on the right. He gets nice toward the middle.
Recently I’ve been sick and have had to take a few days off from work to recover. During this time I decided to rewatch Normal People, again. Never in my 38 years have I rewatched a television series this many times. But folks, this show hits a nerve.
I actually feel sort of bad for my husband when I start rewatching this program. I get really moody and engrossed, and I typically cry for no reason throughout the day. I start existing in another reality completely. In short, this show becomes my entire personality.
Yesterday I literally googled, “why is the show Normal People so good?” Character development was the internet’s response, if you were curious.
For me, it begins and ends with CONNELL WALDRON. This character is a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y everything. He’s this sensitive, Irish, brooding, athletic, ENGLISH MAJOR. (Obviously this is a work of fiction.) But anyway, he wants to be a writer. But he’s so shy and misunderstood and doesn’t always know what he wants. But he thinks he wants to be liked and popular, but he's a weird kid underneath all of his people pleasing tendencies, and that makes him confused and anxious and amazing.
Cue the music… here comes MARIANNE SHERIDAN. Brilliant, nerdy, unapologetic, intellectual, angry, GORGEOUS girl. Rebel without a cause in skewl. (That’s my attempt at an Irish accent.) And oh my goodness, what follows is truly a beautiful and perfect orchestra of what it means to be young and in love and confused about who you are.
I could at this point start telling you what happens next, mapping out the plot, summarizing it and so forth. But I’m not going to do that here. This isn’t that kind of entry. This is an appreciation post with a different purpose. Which is? To marvel at the show’s intricacy and ability to cover the human experience, in particular intimacy, between two young people.
Here is Marianne, after her glow up. Please ignore Poop Bingo. Fun game though.
Normal People perfectly portrays that confusion and intoxication that often comes with young love and how it absolutely warps your brain. But also the beauty in it. The way that nothing makes sense for Connell except Marianne. The way he needs and relies on her for stability, and vice versa, when they’ll both allow the other to be there for them.
I can’t really write about this show without at least mentioning the sex scenes. Connell and Marianne’s sexual chemistry is a huge element of the plot. And there is this one scene in particular that is a master class in consent, and I hope every young person one day watches it, when they’re ready of course.
Have you seen this show? HAVE YOU SEEN THIS SHOW!? I know quite a few people who have and also loved it. I text about it with them frequently.
With that, I’ll end in the only way that makes sense, which is to say:
Marianne and Connell forever!!!!!!!!
Note for clarity: The first time I watched Normal People I did become, rather predictably, obsessed with Paul Mescal who happens to be the actor that plays Connell. I started following him on social media and listening to every podcast he did and reading random stuff about him on the internet. This was peek Covid lockdown. But the more I researched, the more I realized that it wasn’t Paul Mescal I liked, it was Connell Waldron! Sorry Paul, while I remain a BIG fan of your work, I officially don’t have a crush on you anymore—I’ve moved on. I know you’re heartbroken. It’s okay. Just give it time.