The death of Offspring's Dr Patrick Reid. The TV death that stopped a nation.

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Patrick Reid died last week. He was hit by a car, initially sustaining some grazing to the elbow and minor dizziness. Then, in his partner, Nina's car, on the way to hospital, his speech slurred and he passed out. He was taken into emergency surgery but there was nothing doctors could do for him. A surgeon grimly delivered the news to Nina and Patrick's sister, Kate. Patrick was mid 30s, an anaesthetist and was about to become a father. He was very attractive and loved by many. His death was the top news story on Australian news websites, trended on Twitter and discussed on radio news the following morning. There was a public outpouring of grief. A collective grief.

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Yesterday it was Patrick's funeral. Patrick's death has meant Nina Proudman was left to give birth to and raise Patrick's child alone. "How do you grieve for a man and prepare for a baby at the same time?", Nina asked. She was surrounded by her family, and Patrick visited her and her new baby daughter in her imagination.

Patrick Reid was a television character in the popular Australian TV series Offspring. As Bianca Wordley wrote, Offspring is a TV show.

I was a little sad at Patrick's onscreen death. I watched that episode with Tash - we were debating who might die, looking for little clues within the episode.

I think following along with the Twitter commentary made me feel a little more invested in Patrick's character than I'd ordinarily be. Patrick wasn't my favourite in Offspring (I'm more of a Mick girl), and to be honest, I haven't enjoyed this season as much as the previous two. But seeing others engage in the discussion online made me become involved in the collective grief of a TV character. Seems silly, doesn't it?

Patrick's death didn't make me sob like other TV character deaths - maybe it was because I watched Offspring in company, or maybe it was because of my feelings for Offspring this season? When Lou died in Love My Way, I cried for ages. And I'd watched that episode in isolation from the series - I hadn't seen the show prior to Lou's death. I was also sad when Grace died in Rush - though my fandom for Callan Mulvey (and love for Josh in Rush) probably played a big part. And I cried over Mel Rafter's death in Packed to the Rafters.

Patrick hasn't been in Offspring since episode one, but he's resonated with viewers because of how happy he's made Nina and the baby they were having together. And, let's face it - he's hot.

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Do we grieve for Patrick more because he's so hot, I wonder? The online commentary certainly suggests we do.

Many viewers took to social media to voice their grief, and anger towards the writers. There was so much discussion about Offspring the TV show on Twitter that Offspring the band wondered what all the fuss was about! And Kat Stewart, who plays Billie, admitted that some of the cast got together to watch Patrick's death, and followed the Twitter feed. Have viewers always been this angry or is it spurred on by social media? I guess it's a place to instantly air grief and complaints. The official Offspring Facebook page copped a beating. And some cute admissions:

There also seems to be more real news coverage about Patrick's death than some real deaths. We are seeing a lot talk a lot about certain murders being more prominent than others, and I imagine the excessive coverage of a TV characters death would feel quite insulting and upsetting for those grieving for a loved one in real life. Last week Patrick's death was one of the top stories on both News Limited and Fairfax, throughout the week there have been articles about the impact of Patrick's death, and even yesterday it was a top news story, just to keep the momentum up, I guess. In case we had forgotten PATRICK REID DIED LAST WEEK!

(The Age - 8 August 2013)

(News Limited - 8 August 2013)

(News Limited - 14 August 2013)

Humorously, even the NSW police commented on his death. Great effort by the social media team!

It was all quite OTT.

TV shows and characters become a big part of our lives. We relate, we want to be friends with them, we feel similar emotions for them as we do for our loved-ones. The mainstream media and social media has made us interact with TV shows in a way we haven't done before. Fairfax has daily recaps of TV shows like Masterchef and Game of Thrones - something I don't entirely agree with, because TV programs are not news. TV has become far more interactive with live tweeting, and also interaction with the actors, reality program contestants and judges, producers and programs/stations' presence on social media. It's definitely an element of media convergence.

While there was outrage over Patrick's death, Offspring carried an important message. What moved me the most was the message about Donate Life that was slipped in. My eyes welled up at Nina being asked about Patrick's organ donor status. Patrick believed in organ donation and he'd discussed his wishes with Nina. Camille was an organ recipient this year, a little over six months ago, and I thought of her during the discussion between Nina and the organ donor coordinator. It meant so much that this important message was being discussed on prime time TV. Especially when Patrick's death had such an impact.

So many people are talking about Patrick Reid's death. It has been the TV death that stopped a nation. Channel 10 pitched the episode of his funeral as "one night of drama you'll truly never forget". I really hope Patrick's fans are influenced by his death enough to consider registering to be an organ donor.

The OTT media coverage aside, the final two episodes of series four of Offspring showed real love between family and lovers, real loss, real grief and real emotions. It covered themes of sudden life change, what it might be like to be left as a single mother prior to birth, and the importance of discussing your wishes to be an organ donor. It was no wonder we felt real emotions. A great job done by the writers.

('1000 Sundowns' by Emma Louise was played during Patrick's funeral.)

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How are you taking Patrick's death?

Have you been affected by the death of a TV character?

Do you think the coverage is all a bit OTT?

 

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More Offspring fashion

The highlight of my TV viewing week is Offspring. This series is funnier, more heartfelt and more stylish than the last. I've said it before - I want to borrow Nina and Billie Proudman's clothes. I am in love! Their style is so achievable.

The grey shirt Nina wore on 27 June is by Palma Australia.

 The dress is by Wheels and Dollbaby.

 Billie's dress is Stella McCartney for Target.

The skirt is by Mimosa.

Inspired by the Offspring wardrobe

Nina and Billie Proudman - I want to play dress ups in your wardrobes. I adore the Offspring wardrobe. Offspring started back on Australian TV last night. While I hadn't loved the first season as much as I'd anticipated (I think it all came down to Nina's repetitive ringtone), I enjoyed it enough to watch all episodes and really warmed to it in the last episode. So I snuggled on the couch for the first episode of the second season. I did enjoy it, but I realised the aspect I enjoyed most about Offspring was the fashion. So here's a lazy cut and paste job-blog of the fashions that I've loved on the Proudman sisters. The best dressed women on TV.

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Just gorgeous. The show's got style.

Wish list

I don't think I've ever done a wish list on my blog before. I find that I see things in magazines before I see them online, and then visit the website or store and buy them myself if I like/can afford. And sometimes I think wish lists are a little self indulgent. I have so many beautiful things already. What the hell. Throwing caution to the wind and being self indulgent.

Here's what I am loving at the moment.

Maybe Santa will read my blog?

 Made by White brooch

Rush series 3 DVD set

Offspring DVD set

 

Angus and Julia Stone For You box set

Paul Kelly How to Make gravy memoir

Portmans maxi dress

Made by White necklace

Six at Best - Eddie Perfect - Offspring

Even after my excitement fueled review of the first episode of Offspring, I did not warm to the show as much as I'd hoped.

This photo sums up my feelings.

I didn't know whether it was a medical dramady with mild slapstick, or a supernatural fantasy - based on Nina's inner mind/outer body experiences almost each episode? Was it a strict rom-com? Or was it a romantic musical comedy cross medi-drama, with characters sometimes kissing, Eddie Perfect sometimes singing and babies sometimes being delivered? Shrug.

The show provided me with a few laughs, and tears too. But the continued will-they-won't-they? situation between Nina and Chris made me frustrated. I found it repetitive. I was much more interested in the side stories of the other characters, specifically the way Jimmy drifts through life doing drug trials for money and having adventures with really attractive women.

To be honest, the only thing keeping me from changing the channel was Nina and Billie's clothes.

Well actually, the whole damn cast is stylish. I remained loyal because I couldn't wait to see what they'd wear next.

However, I think the pub song scene in the last episode of the season finally won me over.



I laughed so hard at this. Friends were talking about it on Facebook, and even the next day, I saw a reference to the song at work. It's so romantic, yet so awkwardly cringeworthy. What an apology!

I found the lyrics on this forum:

Six At Best
Babe, I know it’s crazy that I slept with your sister
We got drunk on vodka and I totally kissed her
Things got out of hand
I felt rejected and pissed, hurt and lonely
But as far as sex with your sister goes
There’s something you should know

Your sister’s a 6, the sex was 6 at best
A 6 at the most, and maybe even less
‘Cos her desperation wrecked the mood
She made love like a starving person clutching at food
And it’s difficult to stay aroused
When you’re surrounded by a thousand owls
Baby, it’s impossible to overstress
Your sister’s a 6, and that’s being generous

She must have nervous 'cos she couldn’t stop talking
She told me ‘bout the doctor that she’s borderline stalking
In bed your sister’s less active than Steven Hawking on Prozac
And I know it’s no excuse, but, baby, it’s the truth
Your sister’s a 6, the sex was 6 at most
You’re like a 12 course banquet, and she’s just toast
‘Cos she wanted feedback on whether she was getting it right
She’s got more baggage than a Quantas flight
It was rarely hit and mostly miss
And the weirdest bit – she kept calling me Chris
And I swear to god, it will never happen again
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10

You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10

And I know you think you’ve gotta be tough
That you’re never really good enough
Well the truth is, girl, that you’re not her
And in fact, you’re the woman that I prefer
And I know we don’t often get things right
I just wanted the chance to say to you tonight
You’re my everything, you’re my lover and my best friend
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10
You’re sister’s a 6 and you’re a perfect 10

Eddie Perfect, the actor who plays Mick in Offspring writes and composes songs for the show.

Talented and cute!

And you can even buy Six at Best from iTunes!

Offspring: you aren't my new Secret Life of Us or Love My Way, but I'll give you another go next year. Thanks Mick/Eddie Perfect for finally drawing me in whole heartedly.

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Offspring on Channel 10

I must be in the minority because I love Australian movies and television drama programs. Hell, I even like some Australian comedy, particularly of the ABC ilk. Not many people I know enjoy, or admit to enjoying Australian made film and television.

Little Fish is one of my favourite movies of all time. So is Candy and Looking for Alibrandi. And Look Both Ways is pretty good, too. I have the post September 11 telemovie Marking Time on DVD. Surburban Mayhem. Noise. The Black Balloon. Clubland. I could go on... But it's tiring searching then hyperlinking.

I like family shows like Packed to the Rafters and Always Greener. And Seachange, as reminded by Jen.

You know my thoughts about Secret Life of Us. Adored it back in the day. I watched the first series again recently and loved it. Especially Claudia Karvan, Sam Johnson and Deb Mailman.

I've been watching Heartbreak High on ABC3.
The younger Callan Mulvey melts my heart. As does the present day Callan.

I watched five episodes of season 1 of Underbelly. Mainly because of Callan Mulvey. See below.

I stopped because Callan's character died and I needed time to recover from seeing his wonderful acting in the coffin, and the excessive violence and sex. I don't know if I've recovered yet – I might just perpetually watch the first five episodes.

Rush is wonderful. It's fast paced, full of action, a little romance, and funny. You know that I think the men of Rush, or the Sunnyboys, as I refer to them in my tweets, are the hottest ever.

And I regard Love My Way as the best TV show of all time.

I once watched the entire first season of Love My Way on DVD one New Years Eve. Alone. I bawled my eyes out. Because I was alone on New Years Eve and because I was exhausted from the drama. I was once again in love with Claudia Karvan because of Love My Way. Love love love this!


I want to watch Tangle and Spirited but these are on pay TV. And I don't have enough time or money for that. I will wait for the DVDs.

So when Offspring was advertised on Channel 10, I was excited. I loved Asher Keddie in Love My Way, and in Rush. And I loved her dress in the Offspring ad (I have searched and searched on Google but can't find it for your reference.

The show looked quirky. Like Secret Life of Us. Only grown up. I especially love TV shows set in Melbourne. And this one is. I find something identifiable about shows set in Melbourne – not only the setting, but the way the characters live. I think in these shows, you see characters similar to people you really know.

The cast is good looking. Extremely good looking.

I was super excited about Offspring until last week when my excitement levels dropped lower than a rapper's jeans. It was because it was advertised EVERY FRIGGIN' FIVE MINUTES. Seriously, Ten. Every friggin five minutes. I was seriously thinking that I wouldn't need to watch the show with the amount of advertising Channel 10 was throwing at me.

So I was delighted to find that I could download the episode for free from iTunes yesterday, so I could watch it ahead of time, without ads – I actually feared Channel 10 would advertise Offspring DURING Offspring. The advertising was that damn excessive. It was on par with the election campaign.

My expectations of Offspring were met. It was quirky. Funny. Well written. A great cast. And I loved Asher's clothes. She is gorgeous.

Asher plays slightly neurotic Nina. A lot less neurotic than Julia in Love My Way. Waaaay less. But still neurotic.Offspring also stars Don Hany as Dr Chris (niiiiice), Deb Mailman as Cherie (love) and Kat Stewart as Billie (beautiful and versatile).

Nina is a successful obstetrician who has a lot of self doubt. The story revolves around her slightly dysfunctional family - though I expect most families are like hers. All three adult children have not achieved in certain areas of their life.

I enjoyed the music, especially the bits performed by Eddie Perfect's character.

The setting was not instantly recognisable as Melbourne though. And there was excessive use of the iPhone ring tone. It's the xylophone one. That shitted me. There was too much ringing of the iPhone. Me, I prefer the harp. There was also quite a bit of Apple placement. Macbooks galore. I saw at least two, and an iPod too.

I also thought it was far less sexual than the ads insinuated. The sexual innuendo in the ads was probably to sell the program to women and men.

I can see a few openings for some good storylines in Offspring. Cherie's situation with Darcy, her baby's unexpected father. Chris's missing wife. Billie and Mick's on-again-off-again thing may get repetitive though.

As a whole, I enjoyed Offspring. I don't think it will match Love My Way, and I don't think I can hope for another Secret Life. But I think I will enjoy it.

Read a proper review at The Age.
(Click on all pictures for their source.)