Katya Kesten May 1, 2020:

@Yvonne I was replying to Robert’s very first discussion comment (@Katya Kesten: “I know that "Stonewall Matilda" = uncommunicative, but what exactly is this reference to?”). I'm saying that I don’t really know why they went with the name Matilda, that I originally thought it had to do with something in the series (context), and that I’m not aware of this being an expression, and not that you and Tony made good points, but that I'm not convinced.
I’m inclined to agree with you guys that they must be calling a hard guy by a girly name for comedic effect, but have no idea why they’re specifically using the name Matilda. I mentioned a possible historical reference, just in case, but clearly state that that it's kind of a stretch.

Yvonne Gallagher May 1, 2020:

@ Robert, no, the Matilda part is not an idiom at all. I repeat what I said earlier: the "stonewall" part is simply to do with its usual meaning of not answering questions [...] Tony is right that the name Matilda means nothing here and is just thrown out as a bit of a comic insult, calling a "hard man" by a girl's name

Yvonne Gallagher May 1, 2020:

@Katya No, I wasn't "asking" anything! I was expressing incredulity at your farfetched notion. You don't seem to know much about the series, or the character of Bergerac. I just can't see how you could possibly think Bergerac would be referring to that...

Robert Janiak (asker) May 1, 2020:

@Annamaria Martinolli Roald Dahl "Matilda" published - 1 October 1988.
Bergerac 6x07 "Private Fight" aired - 13 February 1988.
Close, but I don't think so.

I am inclined to Tony's opinion.
Bergerac just said that.

I just wondered
isn't this some rare idiom.
That's all.

Katya Kesten May 1, 2020:

@Yvonne Are you asking about the link in my previous comment? I was referring to King Henry I daughter's unsuccessful attempt to take over the throne. Not sure if this is a well-known enough historical incident that would merit a reference to her in this way, but she did cause quite a bit of obstruction.

"In 1139, Matilda crossed to England to take the kingdom by force, supported by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester and her uncle King David I of Scotland, while Geoffrey focused on conquering Normandy. Matilda's forces captured Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln in 1141, but the Empress' attempt to be crowned at Westminster collapsed in the face of bitter opposition from the London crowds. As a result of this retreat, Matilda was never formally declared Queen of England, and was instead titled "Lady of the English."

Yvonne Gallagher May 1, 2020:

@Katya Really???

Yvonne Gallagher May 1, 2020:

@ Tony exactly! Scripts are written and filmed long in advance of being aired and anyway, this was a children's story so not something Bergerac would be expected to know about, especially in such a short time frame.

Tony M May 1, 2020:

@ Annamaria Bear in mind, though, that the episode would have been filmed some time before airing, and would have been scripted even earlier than that — so the timeline is looking decidely shaky.
I still think it was just the silliest girl's name they could think of — especially when you look at the face of the (well-known) actor playing a character who looks like a bit of a bruiser (certainly bruised, anyway!) Often these things simply arise as in jokes or are the result of an ad lib by one of the actors that is kept in the script...

Annamaria Martinolli May 1, 2020:

@Robert The book has been published on October 1st 1988. I don't know the episode number. If it is number 8 (december 1988) probably "Stonewall Matilda" is a reference to "Matilda" by Dahl.

Yvonne Gallagher May 1, 2020:

@Annamaria, Yes, I did consider the Matilda of the Dahl story, as long as it predates the episode? Talkative versus unresponsive

Annamaria Martinolli May 1, 2020:

@Robert Hi all,
The “Bergerac” episode is from 1988, and in 1988 Roald Dahl published his novel “Matilda”. The character of the book is a very talkative girl, that’s why, in my opinion, Bergerac talks about “Stonewall Matilda” with irony (she is talkative but the man in the episode doesn’t want to speak).

Yvonne Gallagher May 1, 2020:

@Robert Yes, I understood there was no Matilda in the episode. Just wanted to know what type of man was being called that. Thanks, but I'd have liked to have seen more of what led up to this. However, it's clear the "stonewall" part is simply to do with its usual meaning of not answering questions and being obstructionist. So it seems Tony is right that the name Matilda means nothing here and is just thrown out as a bit of a comic insult, calling a "hard man" by a girl's name

Katya Kesten May 1, 2020:

@Robert Hi Robert, I didn't realize you were asking specifically about the name. Tony and Yvonne make some good points, but honestly, I don't really know. I thought it was a reference to something in the series. This is kind of a stretch, as I've never heard "Stonewall Matilda" before, but perhaps, it's a historical reference to Empress Matilda. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Matilda#Succession_cri...

Tony M May 1, 2020:

@ Yvonne Yes, indeed — I think it is the 'sparkling conversation' here that is deeply sarcastic.

Robert Janiak (asker) May 1, 2020:

@Yvonne Gallagher There is no Matilda in this episode.
Bergerac only said that ironically.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AxZ-0pw90QeZUUN_st2-1NYMMX...

Yvonne Gallagher Apr 30, 2020:

@ Asker Tony might be right about name. But only way to know for sure why "Matilda" is to watch the episode. (which one is it?) But the word "Stonewall" as used here just seems to be a sarcastic comment. Bergerac has just said there is no way he could doze off when there is such "sparkling conversation" whereas "stonewalling" is the exact opposite of this =silence, refusal to answer questions, obstructionist tactics

adel almergawy Apr 30, 2020:

I think the use of stonewall to confirm rejection

Tony M Apr 30, 2020:

@ Asker Probably no specific meaning; it is not uncommon for a girl's name to be given to a guy for reasons of humour or irony — for example, he might be a big beefy guy given a silly girl's name; of course, it's also possible there is some more direct connection — for example, if the guy's name was Matt, or if he was (thought to be) Australian ('Waltzing Matilda')
But I don't think you should try and read too much into this, unless further clues emerge later in the episode. Tip: check the credits if you don't find out what the character's name is.

Robert Janiak (asker) Apr 30, 2020:

@Katya Kesten I know that "Stonewall Matilda" = uncommunicative,
but what exactly is this reference to?

@Bianca Damacena
Which film?
The Bergerac episode is from 1988.
Matilda - 1996 ??? Is this film? It's no make sense.

Besides, it concerns a beaten guy
who doesn't want to reveal who did this to him.