BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 5 Episode #4: Esther Rantzen

[Roobarb]

Have I got here first? Can't see the topic anwhere else but I'm sure it will be merged if someone has beat me to it!

I thought tonight's episode was a bit odd, Esther was laughing uproariously at the news that her ancestor absconded when he was wanted by the police, while saying that she was horrified. The whole thing seemed quite strange to me.

[BuddysMummy]

Not sure the programme was all that odd, just the subject.

I did find the tears at the end a little strange too. Interesting though.

[genjen]

I just wish they would all stop crying. This site would drown if we all wept at our discoveries.

I agree, it was ok, but not exactly gripping stuff.

[Windsor87]

I thought it was very interesting.
Esther's reactions did somewhat puzzle me. I felt sorry for the man at the police museum who seemed to be getting into trouble for digging the dirt on the family killer/fraudster. One thing that did annoy me (not only about this episode) is the fact that we never find out what happened to the people unless they died tragically, died a hero, or were murdered. I would love to have known how long the 82 year old's marriage lasted. These are the little sad things that take my attention. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to find a death record just to conclude things.

Other than that, it was a very entertaining episode.

 

[Roobarb]

Must admit that I was rather distracted by Esther's appearance. She looked as if she's had some cosmetic procedure in certain area of her face but not in others. I'm all for looking good but as well as the programme seeming quite odd to me, Esther's appearance did too!
Loved the pink handbag though! (Sorry fellas, it's a girlie thing!) 

[heywood]

Whilst she seemed convincing - in that everything seemed a great surprise- it did seem odd that the source of the family's wealth was not known.
I am such a sad person that I looked up the Barney Barnarto person - quite a bit about him including an interesting article by Scilla Rantzen (sister) where the relationship between Barnarto and her grandmother Sarah Isaac is established.
She does however support the lack of knowledge of any inheritance from him and obviously the programme explored the connection much more because of the vast sums of money acquired by this chap.
It has tainted the programme slightly for me because I think there was prior knowledge.
I also hate to say it but I did groan a bit when the Warsaw ghetto was again explored. I do think it is something we should keep in mind but it was as though it was obligatory even though it was 100 yrs after Esther's ancestors left.
Not a particularly memorable programme really. T reiterate last week's debate, I would say that this fell more into the 'entertainment' category but not much else.
heywood

[heywood]

Oops sorry Glen- I just posted and realised afterwards that we had referred to same article. 
That article is worth reading though, isn't it. Did she write that lafter the programme was recorded ? i couldn't find a date. I may be being quite harsh then. 

[7igerby7he7ail]

I have been down a similar street in Warsaw [could have been the same one]
sex shop,sex shop,sex shop,sex shop,bakery,sex shop,sex shop.

Interesting episode.

[Hasler]

OOH.. looking forward to Ainsley Harriot next week,

things can only get better