Summer always seems to make people feel happy and creative. This isn’t a fact—just a silly assumption I made up, because I desperately needed something to use as an opening line.
Five years after Normal People first aired on TV, the Irish romantic psychological drama has finally landed on Netflix. And I watched it. And now I’m absolutely heartbroken! The reason? The emotional roller coaster that is Marianne Sheridan’s life. What she goes through is just… devastating.
It all begins in her school years
Marianne stared out the window while her teacher looked increasingly annoyed that she wasn’t paying attention to his lesson. Her reaction might be seen as an overreaction, but she had had enough—and someone had to pay for it. Unfortunately, it was the poor tutor who paid the price on this occasion.
Of course Connell was there, and of course he was looking at Marianne, and OF COURSE he didn’t do anything. To be fair, in this scene, there’s no blame on Connell—but I’m really disappointed with him, so now I’m biased and he must pay the consequences.
Marianne was honest from the very beginning, just as every human being should be when expressing their feelings. Connell asked how she felt about him, and she made it so clear that she liked him — that was the first time she showed just how ADORABLE she is! Because in real life, not a single person in the entire universe would be this honest about their feelings.
I don’t want to admit it, but in the next lines, the credit has to go to Connell
Throughout the entire season, I absolutely hated him. He’s a coward and doesn’t deserve Marianne at all! But—but… when their love story began, he was nice with her that I almost believed he could be the one for her.
But NO! He thought he was too good for her, so he asked her not to tell anyone at school that they were seeing each other. Marianne is a lovely human being, and of course, she accepted that. I’m not saying it was a good decision—I’m not here to judge her—as I’m 100% on her side throughout the entire season. She always supported Connell and gave him the best advice, putting aside her feelings to prioritize logic.
It looks like the credit shouldn’t have gone to Connell, but to the lovely Lorraine
Lorraine is an absolutely lovely mother — one who works hard for her son and carries herself with manners and empathy. She shows genuine sympathy for Marianne when Connell breaks her heart, and honestly, a bit of mine as well. Lorraine was there for Marianne when her own mother wasn’t.
Lorraine always tried to be the person who sees clearly and offers her full support with dignity. And to be honest, she was supportive of any girl Connell decided to sleep with. She’s the only good thing worth mentioning when talking about Connell!
Normal People, doesn’t exist in this series
Perhaps in real life, someone might feel jealous or lose interest in how things were going between Connell and Marianne. Somehow, though, the connection these two fictional characters shared kept their feelings alive.
Although Connell was too much of a coward to express himself from the very beginning, he always managed to ruin everything good that happened to him and Marianne. Even at the end, Connell still couldn’t make a decision about New York—and once again, the lovely Marianne had to step up and make the hard choice. A choice so painful, it completely broke my heart. Because she was too good. Too good for everyone.
She never said a bad word to her awful classmates at school—not even to her abusive brother.
She took me through the whole emotional roller coaster with her—and made me love her for exactly who she is, especially for the way she expressed her feelings to Connell, so openly and bravely.
Marianne, please stop going back to him.
Normal people don’t exist in this series.
