“Fleabag”: a Look from Different Generations

Fleabag was released in 2016, and over its 12 episodes, it has captivated audiences and introduced us to a wide cast of characters whom we can’t help but love by the end of the show. Fleabag was written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also stars as the protagonist of the show. It was originally adapted from her original play of the same name and tells the story of an unnamed woman (we only know her as Fleabag) who struggles to connect with others and face her fear of vulnerability, after the death of her best friend.

Fleabag at its core is the story of what it means to be a human and to grow from your mistakes. I couldn’t help but wonder how the show would be received by different generations. I could relate to many aspects of Fleabag, but I was very curious to see how the characters and story would change given how old the audience was, and their personal life experiences. Therefore, I decided to interview an anonymous adult to see how their relation to Fleabag was similar to or different from my own.

What elements did you connect to most in Fleabag?

When I asked this question this was the response I got: “I connected with Claire’s (Fleabag’s sister in the show) habits of always trying to do the right thing. She always puts others first and neglects her own feelings and needs, she is kind and good but to the detriment of herself. She pretends that everything is fine because she doesn’t want to be vulnerable with herself and face her problems; that way of thinking isn’t something that is sustainable, and watching that play out on screen is something I connected with.”

I found this very interesting because I personally also related to this. This show is able to transcend different generations and create characters who are fundamentally flawed yet so relatable.

What drew you into Fleabag and her character?

“Her vulnerability, her flaws, and she also seems to try and do her best” was the sentence she began with. I was intrigued by this and asked her to elaborate on what she meant, and her response was this: “She seemed to always have a shield in front of her, and I felt like we only got to see what she really felt when she would break the fourth wall. I was drawn in by this because I feel that we all have those little internal monologues, and seeing someone like that on screen makes you feel very understood.”

This answer made me smile at how truthful it was. I had never considered the aspect of this show using monologues as anything other than a structural technique, the thought of it speaking to the trains of thought that we all experience really made me watch some of these scenes differently.

Are there any elements of Fleabag that you believe you will connect to more in the future?

“I don’t know if I will, because the character is actually younger than me in the show and I haven’t been through the same experiences as her directly. I don’t think it matters if I will watch it again when I’m older, because the show sort of acts like a time capsule of what it means to be in that specific time in your life.” I found this answer wonderful, as it really encapsulated everything that I think Fleabag was trying to communicate.

“While I can’t relate directly to all her experiences, I can relate to some of the emotions she feels. We all experience guilt and regret in some form or another, and that’s what makes her such a well-written character.”

I personally feel like, as I grow up and experience different stages of my life, I will be returning to this show and watching it in completely new ways. There have only been a few times that I experienced the feeling of knowing that I can’t fully understand a text, and yet being completely satisfied to wait until I can, but when it happens it’s always an incredible feeling. I loved this answer and it made me excited to be able to look back on my thoughts when I watch it again in the future and am able to absorb everything I missed the first time around, as well as appreciate all of the elements that I was only able to understand at this period in my life.

Are there any elements you believe would’ve connected with you or helped you in your younger years?

“Um— I guess I feel as though, similarly to Claire I am often too hard on myself, and watching a character on screen be able to grow and adapt into her own person and follow her heart for once was very freeing. I feel as though if I had seen that when I was younger, it would’ve helped me feel a bit more understood.

“For Fleabag’s character, I don’t believe I related as much to her, but I think it would’ve shown other younger generations how being selfish is not always the answer, and how, while it is normal to feel this way, maturing is being able to put others first and being able to let people into your life for worse or for better.”

I found this answer once again so insightful. Seeing flawed and messy characters on screen is so important in helping people to feel less alone. Oftentimes the characters we see online are so perfect that we can’t help but forget that those expectations are unreasonable and unrealistic, but Fleabag avoids this trope perfectly.

Conclusion

To conclude, I had my eyes opened during this interview. It was so amazing to be able to discuss one of my all-time favourite shows and discover new viewings and insights about it. I loved learning about all of the differences between our opinions based on generations, and if anything, this interview made me so excited to rewatch this show throughout my life in hopes of gaining something new.