Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Who do you think you are?

(31 Posts)
callgirl1 Tue 14-Aug-18 00:00:26

I saw this earlier, featuring Rob Rinder, a very emotional and sad, but also uplifting story of his family`s struggles during WW2, a good few ending up in the gas chambers, plus his great grandfather`s mental problems after serving in WW1 for a part of Russia that is now Latvia. A very emotional programme.

tiredoldwoman Tue 14-Aug-18 05:10:01

Yes, I watched it too . I usually switch off his programme but this moved me . His love and concern for his family and the subsequent tears were genuine .

Washerwoman Tue 14-Aug-18 05:12:37

Same here.DH and I nearly didn't watch as not always in the mood to concentrate,but we were completely riveted and both very moved.Indeed I've woken very early -again and frustratingly !and it's still on my mind.I'd never heard of Rob Rinder prior to Strictly ,but what a thoughtful and erudite man he seems to be.

BlueBelle Tue 14-Aug-18 06:18:16

I thought it was excellent I like Rob Rinder I think he’s got a kind heart and even his somewhat silly Judge Rinder show often show his very thoughtful and kind side

travelsafar Tue 14-Aug-18 07:31:02

Love this prog and watch it every time it is aired. I agree las tnight was very moving. The one staring Boy George was also very sad.

OldMeg Tue 14-Aug-18 07:44:37

I thought his great grandfather came to England and served in the Kings Rifles but never actually saw active service in WW1. His mental issues were caused by the attacks on his native town in Latvia when he was a boy.

mrsmopp Tue 14-Aug-18 08:03:44

I always watch this programme with great interest. Each one completely different and absolutely fascinating. I wish I could get someone to trace my past like that but it would probably be really boring - pity.

JackyB Tue 14-Aug-18 08:25:03

I have enjoyed them so far, too. It makes it more interesting when they fixate on one particular ancestor, like Lee Mack finding out his (great?) grandfather had also been a comedian and entertained the troops in WW1.

gillybob Tue 14-Aug-18 08:38:53

I watched it too. Very emotional . I really like Rob Rinder he seems such a nice, kind man. He has the most beautiful eyes too .

CariGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 14-Aug-18 09:19:45

I really want to see this - will have a look on iplayer later

henetha Tue 14-Aug-18 10:27:05

He's lovely, isn't he. And what an emotional story. This is a very enjoyable series.

goldengirl Tue 14-Aug-18 11:09:02

It was one of the best I thought. What an interesting person Robert Rinder is - not only is he a barrister but has also studied Russian and like others have said he comes across as very caring. The story of his relatives was heartbreaking and came across very vividly through the historians he spoke with.

Blinko Tue 14-Aug-18 11:15:24

There have been a number whose ancestry takes them back to the holocaust and death camps. Jerry Springer and Jane Seymour are two others I remember. Oh and Esther Rantzen. So moving, it really brings what it meant to be persecuted and see your loved ones taken away.

Lest we forget.....

Anniebach Tue 14-Aug-18 11:20:39

I have done my family tree and felt so sorry for my g grandma living in a tiny house with nine children, imagine learning your ancestors were gassed, persecuted, driven from their countries.

callgirl1 Tue 14-Aug-18 21:32:49

You`re right Old Meg, I got confused remembering.

Jalima1108 Tue 14-Aug-18 22:47:40

Excellent and extremely moving.

It's being repeated on BBC1 at 11.25 tonight.

Day6 Wed 15-Aug-18 02:01:15

I caught the repeat this evening when channel hopping. It was a very interesting and moving story and highlighted the way in which mental health nursing has changed too. His poor Great Grandfather was incarcerated until he died and I wondered if he'd every been given the sort of talking therapy common today. He'd experienced shocking times. And yes, isn't Rob Rinder a lovely man.

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 09:54:30

And yes, isn't Rob Rinder a lovely man.
I liked the gentle teasing relationship he had with his mother - they are obviously very close, as is the whole family.

It was so good to see after all their ancestors went through.

Anniebach Wed 15-Aug-18 09:58:54

The story of one Jewish family helped to understand the Jewish people

Jane10 Wed 15-Aug-18 10:02:00

I am a fan of his too. A lovely articulate man.
However, on that death certificate of the grandfather who died in Friern Barnet hospital it clearly stated that he'd died of ruptured oesophageal varices, inflammation of the liver related to alcohol. These are clear indicators that he was a just plain alcoholic. I suppose that wouldn't be so interesting or necessarily lead to the visit to Latvia and the section there. Obviously it was a sad time and taking comfort in the bottle is not unreasonable but it affected my view of the research and direction of the programme

Anniebach Wed 15-Aug-18 10:04:40

No such person as a just plain alcoholic

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 10:06:33

If he had been in the hospital for a considerable time how did he get hold of alcohol sufficient to cause his death? confused

Luckygirl Wed 15-Aug-18 10:22:11

Yes - I assumed an alcohol problem as that is the most common cause of his condition - but, as pointed out above, I could not see where he would have got the alcohol during his long incarceration. Of course he might have been a very heavy drinker before then; or maybe his mental health problems were due to the physical effects of alcohol.

Whatever it was, it was sad to hear how his life panned out.

Daddima Wed 15-Aug-18 12:58:57

The death record said fibrosis of the liver (non alcoholic).

I do love Judge Rinder, but I’m noticing he wasn’t wearing his wedding ring. I hope all is well.

Jane10 Wed 15-Aug-18 13:48:45

Oesophageal varices are highly indicative. He most likely drank to excess for a long time before his admission thus leading to his scary behaviour. Poor family.