Man In An Orange Shirt

Steve and Adam/ Thomas and Michael

The second and final episode of Patrick Gale's Man in an Orange Shirt aired last night and the narrative was brought up to date with the story of Adam Berryman the gay grandson of Michael Berryman whose tragic love affair with painter Thomas March featured in episode one.
Adam ( Julian Morris) leads an unfulfilled and secret sex addicted life until he meets the more grounded and confident Steve ( David Gyasi), and as the two men renovate the family country cottage, the ghosts of the March/ Berryman relationship come to light with help from Flora, Adams' bitter grandmother.
This updated version of the first film is a gentle and at times incredibly moving reflection of a modern day relationship. The threat of  prosecution and shame faced by the wartime lovers do echo in the modern storyline but  have been changed into problems of anonymity, shame and the overuse of sex addiction phone apps. Essentially and not surprisingly the final conclusion underlines that most people, whatever sexuality they possess just want the everyday things in life , a conclusion that isn't really rocket science.
The reading of a wartime love letter was a lovely moment with Steve and Adam feeling the words which described how important the mundane things in life were to the closseted gays men of sixty years ago...the sweeping up of leaves together, the making of tea, the washing up of the dishes...........


I was reminded of a similar moment recently when after a very minor row  I placed a plate of avocado on toast  by the side of a silent  Prof. Twenty minutes later all was well ........... the plate was empty....
Adam ( Julian Morris) and Grandmother Flora ( the glorious Vanessa Redgrave)
I

55 comments:

  1. Avocado toast cures all known ills.

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  2. I thought that both parts of this series were beautifully done and very moving. Adam finally realising that doing the everyday things together is as important as " wild sex" was a lovely end . It holds true for everyone, whatever their sexuality.
    ps. If the Prof. likes marmite , put some on his avocado toast next time....delicious.

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  3. I loved those domestic scenes in the first part where they were in the cottage and going out to buy eggs together, as if we were being told this is how it SHOULD be, all perfectly normal (which it was, to me).I wish there was more love and less hatred and prejudice in this rotten world.Love Vanessa Redgrave.

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    1. If only everyone learned, early on ... that 'this is how it should be' ....

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  4. "most people, whatever sexuality they possess, just want the everyday things in life, a conclusion that isn't really rocket science." - the secret of life in a nutshell right there!

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  5. I really believe the internet with all it's faults, has done a lot of good too. Reading blogs by people with all different kinds of interests and lifestyles has given (some) people understanding and compassion.

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  6. Anonymous10:55 am

    The latter is a nice photo. I don't know if you know, but smashed avocado is responsible for Australia's housing crisis. Note to Frances above, Australian Vegemite would work even better.

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    1. Never had Vegemite so can't say!!

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  7. I was just reading about this the other day. I hope it airs on this side of the pond.

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  8. For most of us, yes, a peaceful domesticity is the real dream.

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  9. Yes, maybe PBS will pick this series up here in North America.
    I think as we all get older the more mundane things/chores become vital in our life.

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  10. I loved the program and felt for Vanessa Redgrave's character Flora having lived a lie to protect her family and herself. And so pleased it had a happy ending.

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  11. The way to a mans heart really IS through his stomach.

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  12. I do hope that the Prof would have done the same for you.

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    2. Anonymous3:49 pm

      Cherie, hi. You are making the assumption that John was the "guilty" party, causing the row. It takes two to tango, particularly if one is left footed. People who go all silent frighten me. I'd certainly not serve them an avocado. I'd eat it myself - by way of consolation. Other than that, and in practical terms, since when is an avocado ripe the moment you need it as a peace offering?

      U

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    3. Nope, I assumed nothing. It could be that it is simply a peace offering from either side. My hubs and I are more than happy to occsionally offer a peace offering, irrespective of who was 'in the wrong'..... and I can't abide avocado so I would worry if my hubs brought me it on toast. :-)

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    4. Doesnt sound like you assumed nothing.

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    6. Raally??????? And why would you think that? Or are you just looking to be unpleasant

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    7. Cherie, she's in a bad mood dont worry about it x

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    8. I am not looking to be unpleasant.

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    9. It s hard for us spectators to follow the bickering when crucial comments are removed.....

      lizzy

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    10. It was nothing more than idle banter. I am surprised that my original comment was removed.

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    11. It was actually a little rude....so I pulled it. Plain and simple now forget it

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  13. I, too, hope it airs in the US. PBS, are you listening?

    Love Vanessa.

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  14. It's amazing what avocado toast can cure.

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  15. It truly is the little things in life, the small moments one after another, that make a relationship happy. At least that's how I see it. Your review of both the movie and your gesture to the Prof were very moving.

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  16. We're going to watch it tonight!

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  17. Truly wonderful.

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  18. I really really love the fact that I was eating some mashed up avocado and tomatoes when I read this.

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  19. I'm glad your peace offering worked :-)

    We are watching both episodes of Man in the Orange Shirt tonight, I do like watching things back to back.

    Oh and if Alan ever bought me some avocado on toast as a 'peace offering' I would know he was out to get me and claim the life insurance ... I am very allergic to the bloody evil little green things :-(

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    1. Let me know your review

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    2. Let me know your review

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    3. I absolutely loved both episodes. I guessed just before they pulled the second painting out of the back of the first what it was going to be.

      This has been one of the best programmes on television recently with Pride, and The Handmaids Tale also in the running.

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  20. This was a beautifully put together two part drama.
    I had a hissy fit on Sunday while cooking the roast but all is well x

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  21. I thought the two episodes were superb and moving and it was a real joy to see Vanessa Redgrave acting so well again.

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    1. Her part was small and she didnt overshadow the other actors even though she could of

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  22. Set to air on PBS in the USA in June, 2018 going to be a long wait

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  23. Thanks paul ......put it in your diary!

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  24. I love avocado but have never had it on toast. I like it with warm corn chips!

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  25. Watched it Loved it , sometimes ordinary is all we need for contentment

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  26. John I found the first episode so very moving that I watched most of it with tears pouring down my cheeks. My friend, on the other hand, who is very Womens' Lib, felt that the wife was given a very raw deal, being married because the chap felt he had to conform and therefore having her life ruined.
    This weeks second episode I didn't enjoy as much as I felt there was just too little content and too much gratuitous sex there just to pad out the lack of story line.
    What the whole thing did show clearly though was how very very important the whole play was in showing the necessity to change the law making it legal and what terrible suffering went on before that day arrived. I wouldn't have missed the play for anything.

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  27. it was a real joy to see Vanessa Redgrave acting so well again.


    av porn

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  28. I didn't enjoy the second episode. I liked Vanessa Redgrave and the character Steve but couldn't abide the needy and casual sex wants of Adam especially when Steve wanted a one to one relationship with him. The seedy hooded sex scene turned my stomach.

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    1. I understand your feelings and agree with them, but the casual sex thing perhaps underlined just how much the internet has fostered casual sex with a significent group of men .....each era had its downside, its problems its challenges

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  29. John,
    How does one make good avocado on toast? Is it just that or do you do something to the avocado first? I've heard of this but being an old hippie stuck in California it is not a local dish that I know of.
    :)

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    1. Mash a very ripe avocado with some lemon juice and salt and pepper
      Spread over good quality toast and garnish with smoked salmon! Simples

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  30. Anonymous12:37 am

    Drama · Tales of love across two films highlighting the very different challenges that face the couples, With Michael and Thomas just after WWII, and Adam and ...
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