Normal People is Stan’s newest binge-worthy show and comes to us on behalf of BBC and Hulu. Shot in Ireland, Normal People manages to feel like a period drama while still being modern and relevant, mixing grand manor houses and conservative clothing with bitingly witty dialogue and plenty of alcohol. Based on the novel of the same name by Sally Rooney, both lead roles have been taken on by relatively new actors which gives the show an extra edge of realism as these are new faces to us as well as each other. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal both hold their own on-screen as if they’ve been there for years, while the chemistry between the two is undeniable.
Normal People follows the story of Marianne and Connell who fall into a complicated relationship and continue to weave in and out of each other’s lives for the next several years. The story explores first love and first heartbreak as well as the usual difficulties that come with growing up including popularity, financial and societal class struggles, and friendships. By episode two the show sheds its nervousness and the more intimate sides of first love are explored, however, the scenes are classy, well-shot and respectful to both the characters whose intimate moment is being shared with you and also the actors who are the ones standing in from of you naked.
Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Marianne, a soft-spoken yet strong and defiant woman who’s sharp edges and honest retorts are hidden behind a kind face and eloquent way of speaking. Marianne is new to her school and her intelligence mixed with her quick wit frequently gets her in trouble with teachers and students alike, while also not winning her any new friends. On the other hand, Connell, played by Paul Mescal, while also being intelligent and kind is immensely popular at school playing on the Gaelic football team and having a large group of friends. He and Marianne’s paths cross both in classes as well as after school, as Connell’s mother cleans Marianne’s family’s house, a fact that doesn’t affect their relationship much but is something his friends have a lot to say about.
While the larger themes of the show are obvious in terms of love, loss, friendship and coming of age, Normal People also covers several other themes in a more subtle way including family relationships and conflicts of upper- and lower-class Ireland. The class difference is shown to us in a typical way with the poorer family having more time together and learning to appreciate not only the money they do have but the time as well; while the rich family struggle to bond, don’t enjoy their time spent together and don’t seem to appreciate the money they have, or at least, where it comes from which is shown to us in one scene where Marianne’s mother complains about gaining a new client. The class struggles follow them to University where Marianne lives in a flat by herself that is passed down to each woman within her family who attend that university, while Connell has to rent a bed in a shared room in a share house which is paid for by his minimum-wage restaurant job.
Normal People is a complex and realistic look at love, heartbreak, communication, friendship and coming of age. Financial struggles, family relationships and complicated friendship give the show a heavier air making it stand out from your usual love story set at school. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal are fantastic on-screen and are the highlight of every scene they are in while their chemistry together is undeniable and a highlight of the entire show. Both actors have earned every good thing said about this show, and this won’t be the last we see of either of them I’m sure of it.
Rating: 4/5