The Reason Why

The final episode of The Reason Why asks what it means to have a 'sense of place' and how to be truly local?Seamas Carey investigates the social impact that Kneehigh Theatre had on Cornwall during the 1990's and how their work was shaped by the unique circumstances of a rural place. Then, after they achieved world wide fame (thanks to Emma Rice) Seamas wonders if people got left behind in the wake of ambition?He also looks at the work of Cornish playwright and lobster fisherman Nick Darke - a good example of someone who was passionately local and universal. 

In the penultimate episode to this series, Seamas Carey looks at the Muslim community of Cornwall and investigates whether there's a mosque in this dominantly Christian place?Then he compares the absurd media frenzy of the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay to the actual lived reality of many people in 21st Century Cornwall - food banks, low wages, unemployment and suicide. 

Seamas Carey begins to look at the queer community of Cornwall and what it's like if you don't fit the "gender or sexual norms". In no way does he claim to feature all the voices of LGBTQIA, yet this episode does address the lack of representation, role models and services within Cornwall and asks; are there any specifically gay venues here? How progressive is this place? And can it feel unsafe, if you don't fit the status quo?

Perhaps Cornwall isn't as welcoming and inclusive as Seamas Carey would like to think it is? But then again, how would he know? This episode features four, honest conversations with people of colour, who have either visited, grown up, or moved away from Cornwall. Is this a racist place? Can the word "emmet" be an othering term? And what does the future hold,  for a more inclusive Cornwall?

It's a BIG word with many meanings and different connotations. But what defines Cornish nationalism and is it OK to call yourself a nationalist? Seamas Carey talks about pride, identity and oppression with several Cornish nationalists. Along the way he starts to wonder whether he might be one too…He asks - what does it actually mean to be Cornish, where's the line between pride and power and what happens when it all goes too far?

Seamas Carey is on a quest - to define what the culture of Cornwall actually is (and if there is such a thing) ?Firstly he looks at the impact of the Cornish mining industry on the rest of the world, particularly within the homelands of indigenous peoples. Then he investigates the Gorsedh Kernow, who maintain the Celtic spirit of Cornwall by giving out bardship for truly Cornish endeavours. However Seamas proves that a lot of Cornish culture has recently been invented, which begs the question; what makes something Cornish?

Some people say that Cornwall is just another part of England. But is it really?Seamas Carey looks at the hidden history and asks why it was never taught to him at school?From the early celts, to the prayer book rebellion, Episode 4 proves that Cornwall does have a rich past with a distinct identity. But why did the Cornish language (Kernewek) decline, who revived it and how far did the Cornish people travel during the 19th century, when the mining industry spread across the world?

Seamas Carey looks at the effect that social media can have on a fragile, rural place and asks;What kind of responsibility do we have as individuals, when it comes to tagging locations on Instagram? Is it OK to make secret, secluded places more accessible? And what happens when we don't respect the landscape?Then he looks at how Cornwall is represented in the mainstream media and tries to hunt down the TV cookery poster boy himself - Rick Stein. 

Cornwall is at a tipping point. House prices soar, the population shifts, tensions rise.Seamas Carey is fasciated by how people see Cornwall as a fantasy from the outside, and what the reality is like on the inside. He also explores 'rural gentrification' and whether incoming hipsters with overpriced sourdough is always a bad thing, or just a sign of progress.

Why did Cornwall become the most searched place on Rightmove.com during the first lockdown?Do second home owners ever feel guilty about leaving a house unoccupied for most of the year?And will Seamas ever be able to afford a house, in the place where he grew up?Seamas Carey looks at the social issues, hidden history and culture wars  in contemporary Cornwall.