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Original poster

*Spoilers * To ask whether to keep going with Happy Valley?!

78 replies

tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 13:20

I know I'm very late to the party but I've only just started watching this on iPlayer. However, I found the first episode a bit disturbing due to the violence/kidnap scene. I'm told by work colleagues that it's fantastic and I should persevere. Is it hard to watch throughout or should I stick it out?

No spoilers please!

OP posts:
YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 13/01/2023 13:21

It’s a brilliant mix of hard watch and dark humour. It’s an outstanding series (but there is more violence).

SilverHydrangea · 13/01/2023 13:22

Absolutely keep going.

JellyMouldJnr · 13/01/2023 13:22

I am similarly late to the party and have just finished watching series 1. Its really good, but it is more violent than I expected. It doesn't get less violent throughout the series. If you found episode 1 disturbing that's likely to continue I'm afraid.

Retrievemysanity · 13/01/2023 13:22

It’s brilliant! But yes, the storyline is quite distressing.

Unbridezilla · 13/01/2023 13:23

It is dark, and hard hitting. But also funny (sometimes dark humour), heart warming, bleak and surprising. Not an easy watch, but it's fantastic.

Mummyme87 · 13/01/2023 13:23

Stick with it. I was also quite disturbed by the violence in the first series. But it’s a fantastic series

MorrisZapp · 13/01/2023 13:25

It's great but don't watch it if you find it upsetting or just not to your taste.

Stressedmum2017 · 13/01/2023 13:25

I absolutely love it but if you are of a sensitive nature and don't like what you have already seen, it doesn't get any lighter.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/01/2023 13:25

It is violent. However, the leading characters are female and there's far more focus than in most crime series and films on the effect on the victims. It's not cartoon violence. I think it's an excellent series and I am hooked on series 3, having binged 1 and 2 during lockdown.

LubaLuca · 13/01/2023 13:26

It's excellent, but if watching it distresses you then don't carry on. Nothing is that good, although it would be a shame to miss out if you found it a bit unpleasant to watch rather than it upset you so much you don't think you could watch any more.

PuttingDownRoots · 13/01/2023 13:27

It took a few episodes to get me hooked.

I'm still not sure if I like it and I'm on series 3. But I can't stop watching.

JaneJeffer · 13/01/2023 13:27

It's not going to get any less disturbing so maybe it's not for you.

mrselizabethdarcy · 13/01/2023 13:27

Keep going ! It's brilliant, but yes also violent . Still a great show if you can deal with the violence.

IClaudine · 13/01/2023 13:27

The second series is also brutal. It is very good, but why does it always have to be women being murdered? Is there no other gritty plotline? Haven't caught up with the third. Sarah Lancashire is brilliant.

Sussexlass84 · 13/01/2023 13:28

Keep going....it isn't a cosy or easy watch but is utterly brilliant!

Maybe don't watch it just before bed though!!

The Guardian does an excellent blog of each episode.

JaneJeffer · 13/01/2023 13:29

I think the male deaths outweigh the female deaths @IClaudine

OhBitchPeas · 13/01/2023 13:29

OP is that season 1?

I tried watching the first episode and never finished it. I couldn't get into it.

Largethighsbadeyes · 13/01/2023 13:30

If you found episode 1 disturbing its about to get much much worse.

But one of the best things that's ever been on TV in my opinion

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 13:31

OhBitchPeas · 13/01/2023 13:29

OP is that season 1?

I tried watching the first episode and never finished it. I couldn't get into it.

Yes sorry, Season 1, very first episode

OP posts:
Redblanky · 13/01/2023 13:33

I think because of the cast and setting you assume it will be easy going, almost soap like, which is why I'm also late to the party. I've only watched one episode too, but I like a drama that's a bit challenging so I shall stick with it for now.

Boswellonthesteps · 13/01/2023 13:34

@Unbridezilla has nailed it. It is also quite graphic in terms of deaths/injuries. We are on series 3 now and I'm gutted we can only watch 1 episode per week

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 13:34

Thanks everyone. I do generally like crime dramas/thrillers so I'm going to try and get past my discomfort and watch some more! It was just that scene with the kidnap - it was a very tough watch and felt really real, iyswim.

OP posts:
Aprilx · 13/01/2023 13:39

It is utterly miserable and depressing. I have watched two series and there is not a single scene where anybody has even so much as a smile on their face. So no, I wouldn’t recommend it.

JaneJeffer · 13/01/2023 13:48

Aprilx · 13/01/2023 13:39

It is utterly miserable and depressing. I have watched two series and there is not a single scene where anybody has even so much as a smile on their face. So no, I wouldn’t recommend it.

It's full of dark humour.

OoooohMatron · 13/01/2023 13:50

I've just finished the first series. Light entertainment it isn't, but I love dark gritty police dramas and can't wait to start series 2.