"Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax

[annaS]

I really enjoyed watching this, if you can say that, because it was so sad.  Very absorbing, one of the best episodes.   Anna

[Blue70]

Very interesting episode. Was it planned or just a coincidence that this was shown today on the anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street (London, 4 October 1936) when anti-fascist demonstrators famously stopped a march by Arnold Mosley's British Union of Fascists (Blackshirts)?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cable_Street


Blue

[iluleah]

I thought it was a very interesting story and a different take on many I have seen before. She was on an emotional and personal mental health journey to find out who she was, why her parents behaved like they did and made me think about how we all learn more about ourselves when we research our ancestors. She was very 'real'.
It was also nice to 'revisit' Vienna again even if it was only on TV having visited several years ago for a holiday.

[bearkat]

I also felt this was an interesting episode especially following the journey of mental health in her family.

However I was surprised that she seemed to have no inkling about her family being involved the persecutions of Jews. Yes, her parents may not have talked about it and may even put a rosy light on what happened to protect her, but Jews escaping Nazi Austria can only mean one thing and yet she seemed so naive.

[LizzieW]

I got the impression that she didn't know her family were Jewish, they never spoke about family history.  All she knew was that they had come over from Austria to live in USA, so just another immigrant family.  It was only when she found the suitcase in the attic that she had some kind of inkling.  I wonder if she approached WDYTYA producers with the suitcase and they realised there was a story in it?

So sad that the mental illness had been passed down from her g.grandmother (and who knows if it was in the family even earlier) and seemingly only down the female line.  I'd have been very worried I'd passed it on to my daughters if it had been me.  As she said herself without the drugs she's been taking for the past 20 years, she too would be as mentally ill as her ancestors were - she admitted she'd been in The Priory for treatment.

[jillruss]

I too think her questions about the Nazis' treatment of Jews in the war were remarkably naive for an educated jewish lady like Ruby. Also, I'd have had those letters translated soon after I'd found them.

I thought this episode was one of the best. I thought it would just go over 'old ground' re WW2 and the Nazis but the mental health aspect was tragically engrossing. I admire her for wanting this shared with viewers. At the end, I dreaded that she would be too overwhelmed by what she'd discovered but I can see that it gave her much deeper understanding of her own experiences.

To say: 'brave lady' seems a bit trite but I really mean it.

[rosie17]

Not  a fan of Ruby Wax but really enjoyed this one 

Rosie

[StevieSteve]

I got the impression that she didn't know her family were Jewish, they never spoke about family history.  All she knew was that they had come over from Austria to live in USA, so just another immigrant family. 

I wonder if she approached WDYTYA producers with the suitcase and they realised there was a story in it?

We know from this that she knew at least part of the story

Just found this - BBC originally said 'No'  to Ms Wax!   

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10341437/Does-Ruby-Wax-have-one-too-many-Nazi-tales-for-the-BBC.html

Maybe they asked her to act as though the information was all new to her

[Finley 1]

No never liked her 'over the top character' BUT the show was interesting   -
concerning the mental health issues, it is very very sad to see how it carries right down the line, she never mentioned worrying that her children may have problems.. I do so hope not.

I have a very very vague recollection of this lady --- and an article some many years ago, regarding her relationship with her Mother - or even her parents.  It was an in depth - honest? account - but as I say it is somewhere  in the messy abyss deep at the back of this old head...  Maybe with the Argylles or Greens...   When I have enough interest or time, I will browse Google for it.. maybe   'muy consado dias'

xin