MovieChat Forums > Hemlock Grove (2013) Discussion > Magdalena -Family ties? Spoilers, sorry!

Magdalena -Family ties? Spoilers, sorry!


Correct me if I am wrong, but I feel like two of the back stories in the past had a similar connection that wasn't really indulged further (perhaps in Season 3 they will go there, hopefully!) I have combed these threads looking for someone else who caught this or is questioning it, but was surprised no one else has, which is another reason to lead me to believe that I am reading too much into it and it isn't anything, but I had to ask….

In the backstory of how Olivia (at a very young age, 14?) ran off with that young Gypsy boy and ultimately conceived her first child and gave it up because of the "filthy" blood from it's father (who knocked her up and then left her, explaining why she hates Gypsies so much now), the infant's name is Magdalena.

In one of Peter's backstories, he mentions either his grandmother or perhaps a great aunt (she is the one who Nicoli got the scratches/scars on his face from) and her name is also Magdalena.

Now, perhaps this is coincidence, but that isn't a very common name, and in the film world, why would you have two completely different characters have the same name? You wouldn't want to confuse viewers, therefore as writers of the script, you make sure so one has the same name, it's just common sense.

Is the Magdalena that Olivia gave birth to (coincidently to a Gypsy) supposed to be someone in Peter's family tree from the past, and if so, does this make him related to the Godfreys (Roman & Olivia)? Peter did mention that Nicoli married a Gorger (non-Gypsy) and that is why Peter calls himself a half-breed in S1 E1 to Christina.

Thanks for your insight!

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Sorry, meant to type "you make sure NO ONE has the same name".
My apologies!

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[deleted]

A small comment for the sake of accuracy (sorry if it reads as pedantic)...

"Gorger" is an Irish Traveler word for "outsider"/non-Traveler.

Peter is Romani, which is an entirely different ethnic group than Irish Travelers. Romani have our own language and come from northern India originally... The word you want is "gadje", not gorger. (Similar meaning, different culture, language, and context entirely.)

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Thank you very much for the correction. Accuracy is important and my intention was never to misrepresent any part of their (your) culture. When I heard Peter mention the "G" word, my (American) ignorance assumed it was the same word with his own regional - accent on it, which I guess was correct to some extent. Thank you for the enlightened clarification, and again, sorry for the inaccurate representation.

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Thanks for being receptive to it. Most people couldn't care less. ;)

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In Peter's memory flashback, doesn't his great uncle say that Magdalena could have been his grandmother, or great grandmother? Considering the Romansik family has sime interesting characteristics, is it that unbelievable to think many of them have had slightly extended lifespans? I just assumed that was thrown in there to provide a reason for Peter and Roman's natural bond?

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[deleted]

yes they are related in fact Olivia is his great great great grandmother Magdalena was Nocolai(or what ever you call him) great grandmother or something

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Yes it's the same person. If you read the book, it says she gave the baby to a family by the name of Rumancek.

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