2020 saw the release of one of our generation’s most captivating love stories. Hulu’s Normal People follows two on-again/off-again lovers who can’t seem to make it work or leave each other alone. Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is seen as an oddball in high school, causing her to be ridiculed by her peers. Despite this, she has no care for social standing and brushes them off without being bothered. She’s at the top of her class, but her home life is complicated as she deals with even more bullying from her brother. Her mother Denise refuses to defend her. Connell (Paul Mescal), on the other hand, is popular amongst his classmates and is high-achieving like Marianne. He lives with his single mother, whom Denise employs as a housekeeper, which allows him to get to know Marianne privately. They don’t communicate at school because of their differing statuses, which causes Connell to turn a blind eye to Marianne’s treatment. However, everything changes when they get to college.
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The series follows the two as they weave in and out of each other’s love lives over the course of four years. It’s a stunningly-shot romance centering on two people who mean well, but their personal issues constantly complicate things. Normal People could have easily been a basic trope-filled romance, but refused to do so. Instead, it’s a down-to-earth series that follows two relatable people, not unlike someone one may find in their classroom or as a co-worker at work. It’s a love story that many people can see themselves in, with contemporary issues folded in. There is plenty to love about this series, so here is what makes Normal People one of the greatest romances of all time.
Connell & Marianne’s Relationship is Relatable
Photo Credit - Element Pictures, Screen Ireland
The love between the two central characters is particularly relatable for young adults. While this show could have depicted them as over-the-top tropes, it takes them and their issues seriously as the times from high school to college can be a complex time in everyone’s lives. Other shows can be dismissive of teen/young adult issues, writing them off as frivolous. Normal People acknowledges that these issues are important to the characters and, indeed, have lasting effects on their respective understanding of life. One of the main themes with Connell and Marianne is the difficulty in belonging. We see this when they transition from high school to university life. Connell was the popular one before, and Marianne was a social outcast. They switch spots when they make it to Trinity college with Connell, of lower-class status, struggling to find his place in the higher-class, more sophisticated landscape.
Often in relationships, there are miscommunication issues. Connell, in particular, has trouble telling Marianne everything he is feeling, leading to some heartbreaking drama. However, this isn’t a one-sided issue as they both bring baggage that the other fails to understand. With the series focusing solely on both characters, we see both perspectives showcase just how much their given insecurities weigh on their personal lives and ability to be happy.
Incredible Character Growth
The series may feel a bit fast-paced, but it does cover a book over 200 pages, so there isn’t much time to mess around. This is why the focus never shifts from the two lovers and gives us a perfect view to watch them grow over a length of time in which most shows would need multiple seasons. From their days in high school to the end of their undergraduate college terms, the series doesn’t shy away from showing the various highs and lows in their struggles. There are triumphs and setbacks, separations, and reunions—all in a journey that makes Marianne and Connell stronger people than they started. It’s a love story that shows us how caring for someone and growing with them can help them discover themselves. Going back to the theme of being real to life, Normal People stays true to the young adult experience by showing viewers that sometimes growth means making hard, and sometimes selfish, choices to continue to grow.
Exploration of Intense Feelings
The series can be seen as an exercise in understanding the different facets of intimacy. As the title suggests, both Marianne and Connell are entirely normal people just trying to get through life and the anxiety that suffocates it. But all the tension in their day-to-day lives slips away in their most intimate moments, allowing them to express themselves as they otherwise couldn’t. For example, the second episode shows Marianne confessing a peculiar private thought about Connell while watching him play football. Rather than being odd or uncomfortable, the expression is commendable as he assuaged her insecurities in a personal cranial plane meant only for them. Scenes like this help the viewer to feel almost equally vulnerable as the two characters. The two sometimes find it challenging to deal with the intensity of their feelings and need help expressing them. Marianne at times feels that she isn’t enough, whereas Connell has a hard time communicating how he feels to Marianne. Being each other’s first loves puts them in confusing spots emotionally, which can be enough for the audience to reminisce about their own love lives.
Captivating Acting and Stunning Cinematography
Daisy Edgar-Jones (War of the Worlds) and Paul Mescal (Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter) are terrific actors and the only two people who could have brought Marianne and Connell to life. Their portrayals are so honest that one may feel like they are watching the most private and intimate moments of two real people and not fictional characters. From the telling looks and moments of thoughtful silence to the natural chemistry between them, Jones captures Marianne’s unique blend of strength and vulnerability. At the same time, Mescal, who received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Connell, embodies the alienated and self-conscious high-school athlete, and both come together seamlessly.
The acting isn’t the only thing that makes the series great, as everything from cinematography, music, and atmosphere are vital components that attribute to the show’s beautiful and melancholy mood. It’s set in atmospheric rural Ireland with dusty yellow skies and green hillsides in the distance. The soundtrack comprises music that incites the mood to match. Likewise, the dialogue is sparse, pointed, and believable. Everything about Normal People comes together in a warm blend that makes the experience feel serene and unlike anything else on television.
Handling of Mental Illness
What Normal People does best of all is handling the subject of mental illness with a care rarely found in television. Studies have shown that less than 1% of TV series feature characters suffering from mental disorders, making representation for individuals who are all the more important. Negative portrayals from shows like 13 Reasons Why tend to have more of a negative impact as they oversimplify the matter and sensationalize suicide. And while everyone experiences mental illness differently, accurate portrayals may help viewers see their experiences reflected in the character’s struggles. For that reason, the episodes of Normal People that deal with the issue most heavily may be challenging for some to watch, but they are essential in showing what sufferers sometimes deal with and how they can handle it properly. Fair warning to anyone who chooses to watch this series, know that the theme of loneliness hangs over the entire show, but things get heaviest from episode 10 onwards as they deal with matters of suicide and intense depression.
