MovieChat Forums > The Buccaneers (1995) Discussion > Julius and Nan

Julius and Nan

posted 16 years ago by ilahilda
9 replies | jump to latest

I saw this production when it first aired in the 90's, my family and I all liked it to some degree. I was really shocked to discover Julius was bisexual . I'm confused about something. I recall the time Julius came to Nan's room to consummate their marriage, and she was very hesitant . I thought the sex was rough but consenting. I recall him chasing her around the bed and tackling her on the floor. Wow I did not realize he raped her. That's cold! Was that the only time they had sex? I recall she became pregnant later and miscarried.

[–] toxic_schizm 16 years ago

Was that the only time they had sex?

i believe so.. i mean, a lucky one too, dont you think?
haha.. i would think he was so rough because he doesnt like it as much??
he does it once then nan gets pregnant..
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were all alone now.. i need something to sing about..

[–] TheDuchessofM 16 years ago

It was. In the novel, Ushant was not gay; he was just a very fastidious, cold young man who, as a duke, was at the top of the totem pole and had not been raised to ever descend into "humaness." Which was the deal was with the clocks: they symbolized both his furtive desire to be a normal man, and his desire to be in control and never deal with the spillage of human emotions and everyday life. Plus, this was 1870-something, where young women knew nothing, and men were taught that women felt nothing during sex--so why would they even think to soften their approach to consummating their marriage? Because of this, a young innocent woman was often quite traumatized after the honeymoon.

[–] Noir-It-All 14 years ago

He said, "Isn't this what you wanted?" because earlier in the episode, she commented that he had never kissed her. Then, she ran down a list of her sister's and friend's marital experiences.

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] lferrigon-1 14 years ago

Nan should not have agreed to marry him then. I had a hard time having any sympathy for her.

[–] NarsMaught 13 years ago

"Nan should not have agreed to marry him then. I had a hard time having any sympathy for her."

Are you actually blaming her for getting raped? Really??

[–] Hezzer_Wezzer 13 years ago

The "making-out" was consensual until she said "Julius stop!" and he persisted, pulling her gown up to gain access.

She continued fighting until the actual rape commenced and then she just zoned out staring at the paintings in an attempt to escape what was actually happening.

What is interesting to me, is that had she consented throughout the whole thing, forcing her wouldn’t have been an issue, and all in all, I think it would have been a fairly pleasant experience for the both of them.

Though it was definitely her choice to do so, I'm not really sure why she resisted, either. I thought the hide and seek was a quite sweet form of foreplay.

Maybe his over-eagerness in yanking her gown down off her shoulders was off-putting and made her uncomfortable.

Once he did that to her, though, I thought he was a wretch.

[–] ChitoRaffferty 12 years ago

Unless it was complete ignorance, it was stupidly immature sequence (by both). I'd lean towards rape but it was so odd that I wouldn't call it that.
It at least appeared Nan knew it wasn't supposed to start that way but who can say for sure?

" See dat scenery floatin by, you're now approaching NewportRI." Cole Porter

[–] KayDrama 10 years ago

It looked to me as if Julius was turned on by Nan's bare feet. (Possibly fetish, possibly just because men weren't accustomed to seeing feet and legs exposed; possibly just her childlikeness being sprawled on the floor which is what he fell in love with, what with his being unable to relate to most adults) but in any event, once he felt aroused, the playfulness ensued. I believe Nan would have submitted but became afraid, as virgins do, at the last minute. As for Julius' attitude at her sudden reticence, he became somewhat angry because he feels pressure from all sides (his duty) to act as a husband/provide an heir despite his lack of desire for women - so he is confused as well by Nan's sudden resistance. He knows nothing of the ways between lovers of any kind (male nor female) at that point in order to realize or understand Nan's reaction after she has expressed her desire verbally and enjoyed the foreplay. Remember his total lack of social skills around the party of playful young people. So I think he was beyond frustrated at that moment. And while I don't condone what he did at all - by the standards between husbands and wives then - even Nan didn't think it was rape. Her only anger came later upon realizing he had no compassion.

But I must add that, despite how sweet and playful he was during their game of hide and seek, all that "yoo-hooing" was off- putting and Nan should have found a better and more permanent hiding spot! lol

[–] ilahilda 9 years ago

So Julius was a virgin as well?