WDYTYA - new series 2014 - AUSTRALIA - SBS

[BevL]

I agree with Ruskie - not a particularly stirring episode.  In my opinion it was a bit bland. The only thing is I am pleased that he didn't go 'all apologetic' for his ancestors and relegated them to where they belong - in the past - as he wasn't responsible for their way of life.
I feel a bit hypocritical after going on about others crying etc. or over the top when they hear of their relatives crimes as when it finished I didn't have any reaction to this one at all
Bev

[Ruskie]

I feel the same way Bev.

He was, I think, 'disappointed' to learn about his ancestors rather than feeling responsible for them or feeling like he should apologise for them, which I did find refreshing.

I did enjoy the programme, but having left it a few days before posting on here I'd actually forgotten a lot of it, hence my minimal comments. 

Unsure how I feel about Richard Roxburgh - he seemed to take himself fairly seriously ... 

[BevL]

I agree,
In his television series he always plays the devil may care lawyer character and I suppose I thought that was what we would get!
Bev

[Ruskie]

I agree,
In his television series he always plays the devil may care lawyer character and I suppose I thought that was what we would get!
Bev

Makes sense. 

[Wiggy]

Have really enjoyed this evening's episode with Amanda Keller.  I liked her reactions to various things she found out.

Very interesting!    (and I'm so envious of all the help she received from one end of the country to the other.) 

[Ruskie]

Yes I think she came across well. Interesting family too.

I was expecting her to be flown to Scotland at one stage. I think they may be cost cutting as most of this series the celebrities stay in the country. Next weeks is likely too as well I imagine. In earlier series nearly every one went tripping off to find out information they could have found online. 

This was another of those episodes that I would have liked them to continue further back - I was left a bit wanting for some reason. Maybe an hour just isn't long enough.

Didn't Tassie look wonderful - even Sarah Island. 

[Wiggy]

It surely did . . . 

the Sarah Island bit was very interesting as, in all my reading, it was New castle, Port Arthur and Norfolk Island I'd read about as being the places of ultimate punishment for recidivists.     Yet I did know about Sarah Island from that great book (whose name will come to me when I stop trying to remember it - if you see what I mean)

[Ruskie]

I had not heard of Sarah Island I'm ashamed to admit. 

I'm having a hard time locating it on google maps - I can see Macquarie Harbour Historical Site.

Looking again, I think a normal map gives more detail ... OK found it. It looks quite close to the mainland - swimmable distance I would imagine  - I thought I saw a shore line last night. Mind you I don't think there would have been anywhere to go if a prisoner had reached the mainland. 

[BevL]

Hi,
I am ashamed to admit that I have forgotten a bit of Amanda's WDYTYA spot, but from what I can remember it was good.
The cruelty of the warders to these convicts who weren't all bad was really upsetting. but I think  her particular relative was 'one of the bad ones' in that he seemed to be forever defying everyone and then to attack his wife at the end was enough for Amanda. Though she did acknowledge that she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him.
In the other instance, to find someone who came to do well, but didn't make it and left the wife destitute - and how she worked for the children - was uplifting for her particularly when she found out the children were all reunited.  The outcome left her feeling a bit happy after finding out things from the historical society about them.
Again, she wasn't responsible for these people, but admired their tenacity and could make a joke of her feelings during the episode.
All in all, a good one.
Bev