Last night I sat down to get my weekly fix of quality drama (can’t tell you how much I enjoyed Riot Women – awaiting release of the single) anticipating the latest “obsession” (daft phrase) on BBC One.
And switched over to Netflix for another couple of episodes of the anodyne and predictable “Nobody Wants This” (which is curiously sweet, as an extended advert for Judaism, complete with cute rabbi who delivers thoughtful sermons on life, love and relationships).
Anyway, I am curious as to why I swerved away from the dramatisation of Nazanene Zagari Radcliffe’s abduction and imprisonment by the Iranian government. When I switched back to catch the headlines before bed, Joseph Fiennes had morphed into the epitome of terrified, helpless husband, already exhausted at the very start of his battle.
Just two minutes of watching him try to engage the FCO was enough to convince me that this will be well worth watching. On another night.
Like many people in the UK, I watched to snippets from this lengthy saga as Richard Radcliffe battled all and sundry to get someone to sit up and take notice. Then switched my attention to the latest war, famine, and taxation v. benefits brouhaha.
Therefore I really was surprised at myself that when Nazarene’s release was announced. I was driving down the motorway at the time and found myself sobbing with relief. Sobbing because this strong, brave woman was going to be reunited with her young daughter, after years of separation.
It genuinely surprised me how much I cared about a woman I have never met.
Such is the nature of news that random figures who pop up on a regular basis and worm their way into your subconscious. John McCarthy was one such person. When a litany of bad news breaks into a ray of light, we are inevitably moved as we should be.
So I shall watch this on a Monday, when I am not in search of distraction. Or a wet Saturday afternoon with a tissue box to hand. It is an important drama well done.
Minnie’s Musings 
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