Vocal Voices

BBC2 Thursday at 9pm.

Did anybody watch it?

I found it slow and a bit clichéd, but also fascinating in its portrayal of the women convicts as objects, chattels, to keep not only the Marines, but also the male convicts, pliable and 'happy'.

Yes, we watched it, and I'd agree with your summary. A fascinating historical perspective, and the moral conundrums it threw up were interesting.

But Mrs O didn't like it, to the extent she said she wouldn't want to watch the remaining six episodes. Too much brutality / shagging I think was the problem

I enjoyed it.

I watched about half the episode - it's a bit 'dark' for me. I don't mind the sex stuff, but the brutality made me cringe

I enjoyed it too.

Wasn't brutality part of life for the convicts, who were little more than slaves at a time when slavery was at its height? It was shown, but it wasn't as in-your-face as it is in many other productions.

I didn't watch it, but it doesn't sound like entertainment to me.

It was Frank - I expect it was pretty realistic, but I just don't choose it as entertainment

We've just watched it, and enjoyed it. Interesting what you say about slavery, Frank, of course the convicts were considered the lowest of the low and the military had to impose order of some kind. Life was brutal for the soldiers too, it must have been like a slightly more comfortable prison for them.

Does anyone remember a series, late 70s/early 80s, called Against the Wind, also about convicts in Australia - I loved it.

I had to look it up, Osc, but I vaguely remembered the part about the cow. That is how it all started off.....