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what a brat!
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Auntie Prue (U14585893) on Thursday, 16th August 2012
Aidan seems a decent chap - but what a horrid little brat Merriel has turned out to be. Whining to get her own way, selfishly insensitive to the needs of others, total lack of anything resembling sympathy.
Don't tell me she is a typical 11 year old - because I know different! -
Message 2
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Thursday, 16th August 2012
Was she really as amused as she sounded or was she finding Kenton embarrassing? Kenton really is a fool to go and boast about how great he is only to fail utterly in front of his daughter.
What's going to happen when they go sailing?
But yes, she didn't sound very nice. No doubt her Mum has planted a few ideas in her head about Kenton to judge from the way she was talking about him to Jolene. Not a very fair thing to do to a daughter about her Dad in my opinion no matter what you think of him. -
Message 3
Posted by Malahide (U14258229) on Thursday, 16th August 2012
>What's going to happen when they go sailing?<
At a guess, some potentially deathful situation will arise and Kenton will save Meriel's life through his knot-tying expertise by attaching her to the mast.
Ah, wait a minute . . . recalling that nasty business at LL . . . maybe (k)not. -
Message 4
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Thursday, 16th August 2012
The signs are all that he'll make a fool of himself again. However I hope for Meriel's sake he does something to redeem himself in her eyes. Not good for a girl to think her father's a total pratt even if he is.
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Message 5
Posted by Jaycee9 (U14275757) on Friday, 17th August 2012
Aidan seems a decent chap - but what a horrid little brat Merriel has turned out to be. Whining to get her own way, selfishly insensitive to the needs of others, total lack of anything resembling sympathy.
Don't tell me she is a typical 11 year old - because I know different!
Ìý The writers seem to have a real problem creating credible child characters. I'm not a writer, so I don't know why that is but as a listener, I don't warm to any of them.
The girls are mainly horrible. Meriel comes across like Lily Pargetter - a slightly nasty, spiteful, little madam. (But I suppose Phoebe's OK.) And the boys are dull, stupid, whiny and interchangeable.
However, since I don't have children of my own (only nephews and nieces), perhaps this is an accurate reflection of modern kids.
My idea of child characters is probably totally warped having grown up watching television in the late 1970s/1980s. And it's largely based on the children in the books that helped me learn to read (Topsy and Tim, Kathy and Mark, Peter and Jane and Enid Blyton). Having said that, I couldn't relate directly to the children in children's literature but at least they seemed sort of normal. -
Message 6
Posted by Paul237 (U12153576) on Friday, 17th August 2012
A bad accent, too. Meriel would have a Kiwi accent. However, the actress sounded like a British girl trying to (badly) do an Aussie accent.
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Message 7
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Friday, 17th August 2012
Why would Mel need to plant ideas? Do you not think Meriel has noticed how useless her absentee father has been all these years.
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Message 8
Posted by JumboJosephII (U14232752) on Friday, 17th August 2012
Aidan seems a decent chap - but what a horrid little brat Merriel has turned out to be. Whining to get her own way, selfishly insensitive to the needs of others, total lack of anything resembling sympathy.
Don't tell me she is a typical 11 year old - because I know different!
Ìý The writers seem to have a real problem creating credible child characters. I'm not a writer, so I don't know why that is but as a listener, I don't warm to any of them.
The girls are mainly horrible. Meriel comes across like Lily Pargetter - a slightly nasty, spiteful, little madam. (But I suppose Phoebe's OK.) And the boys are dull, stupid, whiny and interchangeable.
However, since I don't have children of my own (only nephews and nieces), perhaps this is an accurate reflection of modern kids.
My idea of child characters is probably totally warped having grown up watching television in the late 1970s/1980s. And it's largely based on the children in the books that helped me learn to read (Topsy and Tim, Kathy and Mark, Peter and Jane and Enid Blyton). Having said that, I couldn't relate directly to the children in children's literature but at least they seemed sort of normal.
Ìý The boys are meant to be dull stupid etc. The girls however are supposed to be superior to the boys in every respect. This is the SWs' paradise where the male sex is an impediment to progress. -
Message 9
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Friday, 17th August 2012
<< Why would Mel need to plant ideas? Do you not think Meriel has noticed how useless her absentee father has been all these years. >>
She doesn't need to but I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that she has, based on how quick she was to bad mouth Kenton to Jolene on such a slight acquaintance.
Whether he deserves it or not doesn't make it a nice thing to do, in my opinion.
Still, looking on the bright side, it's food for thought for Jolene. So far their relationship hasn't really been tested. -
Message 10
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Friday, 17th August 2012
Still, looking on the bright side, it's food for thought for Jolene. So far their relationship hasn't really been tested.Ìý
I have always thought Kenton was too good for her. -
Message 11
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
I wouldn't call what Mel said badmouthing. She was telling the truth. I think she has been nicer than I would have believed possible in the circumstances. Kenton is a wastrel and a perpetual manchild who is useless as both a partner, a businessman and a father as he has proved time and time again, because ultimately only what he wants at that precise second matters.
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Message 12
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
In reply to Ginswimmer Redux:
I wouldn't call what Mel said badmouthing. She was telling the truth.Ìý
But WHY was she telling it?
Not in response to being asked, or to some relevant need to speak.
Either to make mischief or to blacken his name. -
Message 13
Posted by Auntie Prue (U14585893) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
The whole thing is a very poor advertisement for New Zealand hospitality to visiting foreigners.
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Message 14
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
I thought she was doing neither. Amazingly without real rancour. As for NZ hospitality I wouldn't entertain the feckless ex and new partner. Especially if he could only be bothered to show up once a decade. Given his behaviour Kenton is lucky he is allowed any contact, Unless Jolene is dafter than she seems she can't be learning anything really new, She must have noticed how Kenton is with money and that he bolts at the first sign of trouble - and above all he baulks at any real responsibility.
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Message 15
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
In reply to Auntie Prue:
The whole thing is a very poor advertisement for New Zealand hospitality to visiting foreigners.Ìý
As indeed is the clear incompetence and recklessness of an outdoor centre taking an overweight inexperienced jetlagged middle aged man rock climbing in shoes that are so tight his toes go numb. -
Message 16
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
<< Amazingly without real rancour. >>
Ooh, I dunno, to my ears there was definitely a bit of rancour in the dig about Aiden not 'jumping ship when the going gets tough'; that was obviously aimed at Kenton. True or not, and I'm sure it is, it didn't seem at all necessary, having agreed to host Kenton and Jolene, to speak so ill of him to his new partner.
<< Unless Jolene is dafter than she seems she can't be learning anything really new >>
Yes, exactly, if Jolene already knows what he's like, what's the point? And if she doesn't, why not let her find out for herself? Why rock the boat? The 'jumping ship' remark did get to Jolene and worry her. It's a shame to plant ideas in her head that might sour their relationship. As I said, let her find out for herself.
However, having just listened again, I will say that I don't think Mel was being spiteful or bitter, just running off at the mouth as she more or less said herself.
Still, interesting conversation! Good to get a bit of background and hear Mel's point of view. Bring on more gossip, please! -
Message 17
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
You couldn't expect her to "big him up"?. I really think "jumped ship" is a fairly neutral term for what Kenton did.
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Message 18
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
I think she should have avoided the subject of Kenton's character altogether; you're on very dodgy ground if you discuss your ex with his latest!
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Message 19
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
Though it made fascinating listening. It would be pretty boring if all the characters behaved with perfect discretion.
Will there be any repercussions for Kenton, I wonder? Will Jolene raise the subject of his and Mel's relationship? "But YOU said, only SHE said ..."
A wise woman wouldn't, but, as I said, it would be pretty boring if ... -
Message 20
Posted by petal jam (U1466691) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
'jumping ship when the going gets tough'; that was obviously aimed at KentonÌý
Well it could have been a gigantic red herring but my hunch is that there will turn out to be more than meets the eye - possibly involving the former business partner, whose name escapes me just now.
I'm expecting it to emerge that when Kenton disappeared to Sidney [and thence to Ambridge] he was offered a proposition he couldn't refuse: leave and never darken Mel's door again or else. Not sure what the "or else" might be, but it's another Hardyesque ploy. -
Message 21
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Saturday, 18th August 2012
I think the FBP is going to apologise to Kenton for ripping him off and give him the A$15m his share is now worth.
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Message 22
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
What else to talk about. Sounded like he was the only thing they had in common as Jolene teetered along in unsuitable shoes...
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Message 23
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
<< What else to talk about. Sounded like he was the only thing they had in common as Jolene teetered along in unsuitable shoes... >>
Shoes, there you go. You can always talk about shoes. Indeed, Mel should have. She knew the path. It should have been obvious Jolene wasn't going to manage in those shoes. -
Message 24
Posted by Athena Ergane (U14927530) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
If Aidan is so good with kids and so good at setting boundaries how come he raised such a whining, won't take no for an answer, want my own way, rude brat?
Plus he should be used to judging whether new customers are still as capable as they think (or remember they used to be) Either way he should have put his foot down.
No problem with Mel - OK she should have realised that Jolene wasn't shod for that path, but she sounded like a fairly typical out-door activities type who assumes everyone can cope.
As far as discussing Kenton - she obviously opens mouth before engaging brain and Jolene had already referred to Wayne leaving her with a small child and no support so I suppose she saw a kindred spirit. -
Message 25
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
You raise some good questions, Athena, as befits your name!
<< If Aidan is so good with kids and so good at setting boundaries how come he raised such a whining, won't take no for an answer, want my own way, rude brat? >>
I think Meriel was embarrassed by Kenton bragging he could do something when he clearly couldn't. You shouldn't do that in front of your child, it's humiliating for you both. No, she wasn't very kind but he was being such a plonker, I think.
<< Plus he should be used to judging whether new customers are still as capable as they think (or remember they used to be) Either way he should have put his foot down. >>
Yes, but I suppose he reckoned Kenton wouldn't come to any serious harm all roped up like that and maybe he took his word that he could cope. Aidan sounded all right to me.
<< she sounded like a fairly typical out-door activities type who assumes everyone can cope. >>
I know I'm a perfect bossy boots, but if I was going on a walk with someone who didn't know a path that I knew very well, I would advise them about their footwear. As I'm sure she must do with clients. Especially a path which had worn-away bits which required Jolene to take her hand!
<< As far as discussing Kenton - she obviously opens mouth before engaging brain and Jolene had already referred to Wayne leaving her with a small child and no support so I suppose she saw a kindred spirit. >>
Yes, that's about it, I think. No real malice, just running off at the mouth. I'm sure Jolene was fascinated as well as worried.
I thought it was an interesting episode. Everyone showing up as less than perfect but no real goodies or baddies. -
Message 26
Posted by petal jam (U1466691) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
Hmm - wasn't sure if it was just different clime and customs or whether there was an undercurrent of testing them out. Presumably Kenton was once limber enough to do the rock climbing stunt. He and Meriel are both natural show-offs
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Message 27
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
<< He and Meriel are both natural show-offs >>
Only Meriel is sensible enough to show off what she actually can do while Kenton brags and then makes a fool of himself. He'd have done a lot better in her eyes if he had expressed due admiration for her skill at rock climbing like a proud Dad should and not tried to compete.
<< an undercurrent of testing them out. >>
To be fair to Aidan, he did suggest Kenton start with something easier. But yes, there may be an element of testing. I shouldn't be surprised if Aidan is a bit leery of Kenton. He's probably had many opportunities to observe just how patchy Kenton's contact with Meriel has been over the years and the effect it must have on her. So good for him for not encouraging Meriel when she was criticizing him. -
Message 28
Posted by joe (U13868420) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
Unless Jolene is dafter than she seems she can't be learning anything really newÌý Yes, exactly, if Jolene already knows what he's like, what's the point?Ìý At least now we know that info dumps between TA and AmEx are clunky and contrived in /both/ directions. Though I would imagine that whatever about TA listeners who don't listen to AmEx, AmEx-only listeners would be rare indeed.
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Message 29
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
I thought it was done pretty well, actually, joe. (evenin', btw) I was glad to hear the story from Mel's point of view and the 'Oh gosh, me and my big mouth' style of revelation was quite believable.
But then I'll believe almost anything! -
Message 30
Posted by joe (U13868420) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
Wotcha Janie!
We all hear things differently, of course. It could have been worse, I suppose, but I thought it was basically unnecessary - a "the story so far…" moment that was probably only heard by an audience already all too familiar with the back story. I was surprised Aidan didn't ask how Kenton got his name…☺
It just sounded a bit obviously shoe-horned in, I suppose - just as the two-sentence summaries of AmEx do in TA. -
Message 31
Posted by JustJanie - Fairweather Strider (U10822512) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
Yes, but we got a bit extra - appropriately enough - didn't we? As in hearing directly from Mel what Kenton was like.
(Not that I had any doubts - he has some charm but not what one would call reliable.)
I'm wondering what Jolene is thinking about all of this now. Will there be ructions in paradise?
What did you think of the somewhat bumptious Meriel? I have some sympathy there, Kenton was being sooooo embarrassing! -
Message 32
Posted by seejay63 (U14296183) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
I think the FBP is going to apologise to Kenton for ripping him off and give him the A$15m his share is now worth. Ìý
I wasn't listening to TA when this was happening - can you explain what this means? -
Message 33
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
In reply to seejay63:
I think the FBP is going to apologise to Kenton for ripping him off and give him the A$15m his share is now worth.
I wasn't listening to TA when this was happening - can you explain what this means?Ìý
Good Lord no - pure flight of fancy in response to others suggesting that reappearance of ofrmer partner will be bad for big K. -
Message 34
Posted by petal jam (U1466691) on Sunday, 19th August 2012
You mean it's a sweet FA?
[mods that's Fantasy Archer's board in case of doubt.] -
Message 35
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Monday, 20th August 2012
To be fair you would have to be a fairly long standing listener to be aware of the backstory. It is about ten years since Kenton came back from the Antipodes and he last saw Meriel IIRC the Christmas that Kathy was raped and that was several years ago now (2004 or 2005 depending which paragraph of Kathy's who's who oage you read!!!!)
Phil and Jill saw her more recently and there have been occasional refs to Meriel's birthday or emails but I don't think anyone who had started listening in the past 5 years or so would have had much idea about his behaviour at the turn of the milenium...
My first hearing of Kenton was when he ordered an expensive Christening present for Josh but left Shula to collect and pay for it.. and because it had been engraved she didn't have a choice... rather set the pattern.. -
Message 36
Posted by joe (U13868420) on Monday, 20th August 2012
True as far as the Oz/NZ connections are concerned, but it was the description of /Kenton/ I thought unnecessary - I'm sure most TA listeners are well aware of his faults. This seemed to be a quick /résumé/ for the benefit of those who listen only to AmEx. /Are/ there any such, I wonder?
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Message 37
Posted by nesta vipers (U2256451) on Monday, 20th August 2012
The whole thing is a very poor advertisement for New Zealand hospitality to visiting foreigners.Ìý I agree. I've been to NZ & all th epeople I met (all) were well mannered & kind.
I thought Kentons ex sounded as if she was quite bitter & the child needed a good slap. Not only was,she being,rude to a visitor but being thoroughly unpleasant to her father. aides wasn't too bad, but he could have told her not to be so uncharitable. My od geezer would never let mymdaughter treat to her dad like that- I think she would have enjoyed,seeing him,get hurt
I hope,something happens to make them,realize that Kenton is a blazing beacon of decency (or maybe that's just because we know what the rest are like in Ambridge).
Didn't like that Mel at all & I think I am right because Jolene didn't seem impressed & we all know that Jolene is a good person. I hope she realises that it wasn't all one-sided & Kenton is prob well out of it!
( they had to go a long way to find out tho)
Cheers nesta -
Message 38
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Monday, 20th August 2012
How is Kenton a blazing beacon of decency? At least as far as Meriel is concerned he is a complete waste of space. I thought he got off lightly. He was lucky she spoke to him at all or told him to naffoff back to England. He ran out on her when she was a baby and has largely ignored her since. Why does he deserve so much consideration?
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Message 39
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Monday, 20th August 2012
In reply to joe:
True as far as the Oz/NZ connections are concerned, but it was the description of /Kenton/ I thought unnecessary - I'm sure most TA listeners are well aware of his faults. This seemed to be a quick /résumé/ for the benefit of those who listen only to AmEx. /Are/ there any such, I wonder?Ìý
They have said AmEx will word standalone so need to give Kenton's backstory. -
Message 40
Posted by shesings (U2666459) on Monday, 20th August 2012
Well quite, Ginswimmer Redux! This is the man who wandered off to Oz leaving his twin to pay his debts and who came waltzing back with a tale of Mel having left him for a younger (?) man. It wasn't until Jill called Mel that we found that he had disappeared leaving Mel with Meriel and the debts.
And when he had Meriel over to stay in Ambridge it was Kathy who did most of the childcare.
I quite like Kenton's enthusiasms and his teasing of Dopey but he is has no sense of responsibility. -
Message 41
Posted by desertcurmudgeon (U14407133) on Monday, 20th August 2012
Our childhood was "Better drown than duffers; if not duffers wont drown".
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Message 42
Posted by Ginslinger Redux (U14830013) on Monday, 20th August 2012
Well yes, Kenton would be a genial fellow say to sit next to on a long haul flight but not for a longer contact, And his enthusiasms must be tiresome if you remember how he expected Kathy to spend every free night with him and Jim Lloyd in bars for months.Now Jim was suprisingly sympathetic to Kathy around the split bu tI seem to recall he wasn't her favourite person at the time.
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Message 43
Posted by Organoleptic Icon (U11219171) on Tuesday, 21st August 2012
IIRC Kenton was committed to the research - commendably? - and it was Kath-me who insisted on going along?
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Message 44
Posted by Athena Ergane (U14927530) on Tuesday, 21st August 2012
I think Kenton and Jim couldn't agree on the style and target market for the new place and Kenton wanted to show him places that did and didn't work. Kathy objected to them going out so often.
OTOH Kenton would have enjoyed 'research' which involved going round socialising and his enthusiasm then seems to have waned. Or maybe the SWs have forgotten that they wanted to give him a base outside Ambridge which would have given another centre for people to meet, chat etc apart from the Bull. -
Message 45
Posted by Dailyfix (U14602649) on Tuesday, 21st August 2012
I took an instant dislike to Meriel especially as she is supposed to be pre teen and not have developed attitude yet. I like Daniel and Phoebe but agree the TA children seem to be much more bratty than the ones I know as a parent of 3 but this is not surprising as there behaviour appears to go uncorrected and is even admired by their parents.
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