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Baby Reindeer - anyone watched it?

(128 Posts)
MissInterpreted Wed 17-Apr-24 09:19:17

Just wondered if anyone else had watched Baby Reindeer on Netflix? We decided to give it a go - hadn't seen or heard anything about it, and I have to say it's a very powerful and moving piece of television, although not an easy watch. Deserves all the awards...

Lovetopaint037 Mon 29-Apr-24 09:15:56

Got to end of fourth episode. We both had enough by then.

petra Mon 29-Apr-24 09:21:12

His trans girlfriend nailed it. He’s addicted to drama and attention.

Iam64 Mon 29-Apr-24 11:41:19

That’s what his first girl friend, the one whose mother let him live in her home said. She ended their relationship because he needed drama in his life.
At least his portrayal of himself doesn’t seek to deny that

Oreo Mon 29-Apr-24 12:11:13

Iam64

That’s what his first girl friend, the one whose mother let him live in her home said. She ended their relationship because he needed drama in his life.
At least his portrayal of himself doesn’t seek to deny that

He knows his own flaws at least.

Iam64 Mon 29-Apr-24 12:27:29

At least
. The ‘Martha character is definitely identified. So, it seems is the male abuser.
Gadd is making a lot of money out of living out his damaged and damaging life on the comedy circuit now on Netflix. It’s his story, or as people say now his ‘truth’

JaneJudge Tue 30-Apr-24 07:50:28

I wondered how you all feel about it now the woman has exposed herself?

I found it really interesting (and yes, episode 4 was brutal sad ) and the way plays out in the first few episodes is of someone who has been abused and is being conditioned to those behaviours. It was a very interesting piece of art and storytelling and I do feel for him. However, he clearly stated that Martha was far removed from the actual woman he had written about and lots had been changed to conceal her identity but now we find that is not true. She has the same occupation and even looks like the actress who played her. I even feel uncomfortable commenting about her on here but has it made anyone else feel really uncomfortable about it all? I am interested in your replies as I feel it is somewhat unethical now, dressing up facts as a fiction/story but I don;t know if I am overthinking it all.

Urmstongran Tue 30-Apr-24 08:14:56

I didn’t know the female stalker had been ‘outed’ JaneJudge. I assumed she was in prison or gone into hiding as apparently she had displayed this destructive behaviour to others too.

Iam64 Tue 30-Apr-24 08:46:43

She has indeed been outed, there are interviews with her in various news papers. She denies and says he stalked her. The DM has an interview with the wife of the man she stalked previously - but it’s behind their new pay wall so I’ve not read it.
The alleged male abuser is also named. As with the Martha character, the actor who played the alleged rapist, looks so like the actor playing him in this programme. Gadd has evidently asked people to stop trying to identify these two characters. He must have known that would be an inevitable consequence of this production. I also wonder about the impact on his parents. He referred to his father as having been sexually abused by priests. . His personality/mental health are the stand out questions for me.

Urmstongran Tue 30-Apr-24 08:48:58

I agree Iam about Gadd. One tortured soul. Kind and well meaning, but a bundle of mixup.

MissInterpreted Tue 30-Apr-24 09:16:28

I'm in two minds about it, to be honest. I do feel uneasy about the identities of others involved in the whole situation being revealed, but on the other hand, I still think it's a very powerful piece of television and has raised some really important issues about stalking, abuse, mental health and so on. I do think Gadd was very brave not only to write his story, but to take the lead role in it too (thereby reliving the experience), but it does concern me that it is now having a knock-on effect on the other people involved in the real-life situation.

Parsley3 Tue 30-Apr-24 10:15:34

I have watched it up to half way through episode 4 when I was interrupted and had to switch off. So far, Gadd has portrayed himself as a victim of his own dishonesty. I lost sympathy with him when he lied about himself to his girlfriend, therefore making her the victim of a scammer. He then proceeded to turn up at her house and lie to get her to open the door. Gadd is certainly brave to be so honest about his own behaviour and if this was a work of fiction I would think it was a brilliant plot. It isn't though and I am also critical of the consequences for the other people involved.

Urmstongran Tue 30-Apr-24 11:24:53

I agree, he’s quite honest in describing his own shortcomings in all of this.

Bea65 Tue 30-Apr-24 18:41:01

JaneJudge yes i've seen the twitter comments and the FB ..seems really sad that this female Martha, seems to have multiple problems and not sure how legal it was to 'out' her..or, this is also a conspiracy that feeds itself...

Cossy Tue 30-Apr-24 18:43:12

I watched it, I loved it, great acting, awful story, but I do like “based on true stories”

The “real” Martha is quoted online as denying this ever took place and in fact she was the “victim!”

Iam64 Tue 30-Apr-24 18:52:10

The male rapist is also ‘outed’ on social media.

Gadd says he disguised him and Martha. The actors look very similar to the people named on social media

JaneJudge Wed 01-May-24 07:59:22

I hadn't realised the chap had been exposed too, it doesn't sound like they were disguised at all

JaneJudge Wed 01-May-24 08:01:01

Thank you for all your view by the way smile

Iam64 Wed 01-May-24 08:18:16

The DM this morning reporting the possibility of Gadd/Netflix being sued by the two alleged abusers, as they’re easily identified. I expect the Netflix lawyers will have already covered this possibility.

JaneJudge Wed 01-May-24 10:29:51

It is almost like a revenge

Parsley3 Wed 01-May-24 11:27:08

I have watched it all now and it tells a very sad story indeed of poor lonely souls. I wish that it wasn't a true story and I hope that Gadd is leading a better life now.

Iwtwab12bow Thu 02-May-24 11:22:15

We gave up after episode 2,it was far too disturbing. It actually made me feel dirty. Not entertainment.

tickingbird Thu 02-May-24 11:29:29

I tried again and watched it all. I didn’t enjoy it, apart from some parts. I didn’t find him a sympathetic character. I do, however, think he was very honest revealing himself and his flaws. If the whole story was accurate then it was difficult to understand how he actively invited the stalking at times.

I agree he was/is addicted to drama and attention; some people are.

Strangely, my youngest son, who’s gay was depressed after watching it and said he needed to watch a comedy after to lift his mood.

Nannashirlz Thu 02-May-24 11:38:50

I watched it the first day it came out and ended up watching the whole thing in one day I was glued to it you go from feeling sorry for him then for her then confused who you feel sorry for but it gets ppl talking about it and that’s got to be a good thing and it’s based on a true story

Etoile2701 Thu 02-May-24 11:41:45

I watched it last week after a recommendation on Facebook. I was expecting it to be like Bambi. How wrong I was!!

Zaran Thu 02-May-24 11:56:54

I’m just starting episode 2, and do intend to watch the series.
However, there is such divided opinion voiced on this drama I think it’s putting people off watching. A TV presenter said this morning “oh we watched about 45 seconds, and thought NO, not for us.” How on earth can you tell unless you watch at least one full episode. I’m sure the first few minutes of any drama/show can be misleading.