Review: Young Nuns

It was with great anticipation that I sat down with my cuppa to watch Young Nuns, the documentary following two young woman who were looking into joining convents. More so because I know Catherine, she lived at Newman House when I was there, I wondered how this would colour my view when viewing the programme knowing her before the show, and as she was going through it. We'd had cameras in the halls and corridors of Newman House and at Mass filming her, though this footage didn't appear in the episode.

It was refreshing to see a documentary willing to step back and let the story tell itself. It didn't feel as if there were those clunky stereotypes driving the programme as so often befalls views on religious life. Instead we were treated to following Clara and Catherine on their journeys.

Clara was committed from the state, a nice girl but who in the end just couldn't leave her family behind the homesickness being just too much. It was amazing that she felt so much the draw to be with them, that this clashed with her choice of  religious life - she picked an enclosed order.

It really highlighted how a decision that seemed on the surface to be for one, and them alone, was really something that was a decision taken by the whole family. Clara's choice would impact them as much as her. If Clara stayed with the order her parents could only see her twice a year through a grille. The conflict they all suffered was interesting to watch. The words of the mother, the love they had for each was obvious. For such a Catholic family it must have been hard, saying you don't resent God taking away your little girl is one thing, seeing and feeling it is another as was seen when she cried at the very thought.

I was glad that the two girls got to share their views and the producer let them lead the narrative, resisting the urge to force them into clichés and stereotypes, instead letting them blossom, falter and show themselves.

The question that hung over the show was could these young women give everything up for God, to become a nun? The answer sadly appeared no. Not through their own choice, but by circumstances. Clara the love of her family proved too strong. Catherine, was told to reapply in six months giving her more time to decide if this was for her. She had said she was also drawn to family and the idea of marriage, as I said having known her I felt this was best, but that didn't make it any easier to watch her obvious disappointment as she was told 'not now'.

The answer for me was to a question the show did not ask. Perhaps modernity is not in the way of more women entering the life of a nun, but the expectations of us. Even those strong in the faith face the same decisions that woman have faced for years, leaving loved ones behind, whether God is really calling us. Can a programme reveal why some are called and others not. No, but Young Nuns gave an insight into why some end up trying.

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Posted in: blog,catholic,nuns,religion,review,television,young nuns

Merlin: Have to share this...

As is often with Merlin I was distracted by Bradley James - Arthur, now there's one fine figure of a man - but this week I paid special attention to the story since I'd been reliably informed that dear Uther was ready to pop his clogs. No more sitting like Golem in a corner for the defunct King, he was off to meet his maker. 

I should say that I'd hoped he'd get a great send off, perhaps Morgana would break into his chambers and stab him in his sleep? Or maybe the horrid Uncle would sneak in and finish him off? A las no sneaky stabbings occured. Instead the random wormy guy that I last saw in Rose and Malone popped up for a short stint as a fake jester. Spiking Arthur's apple before attempting to kill the drugged up prince, inadvertently led to a quick clashing of blades and the eventual death of Uther. 

And that was that. 

Well not quite, but essentially the hard-line king met his death at the end of some randomer's blade. Disappointing.

But Merlin - being Merlin - went on to redeem itself. In a lovely twist Merlin hurried on Uther's death with a magical mix up and Morgana's remote intervention. 

How will he cope with the knowledge he ended all sorcerers hope of no longer living in fear? that he killed the king? Well that's all to come!

Leaving me with nothing else to say, but that it was pretty funny to see 'old Merlin' again. Comedy sat well amongst the darkness of the rest of the episode. It's what Merlin does best. So the a quirky banter exchange between Merlin the elder and Arthur the younger Merlin sealed the deal - I'll be tuning in next week. There's still Bradley James to drool over!

That just leaves me to share this...

Merlin really has let himself go...

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Posted in: bbc,blog,bradley james,comedy,merlin,review