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

First, you need to watch all the previous series from episode 1 because all the stories inteweave and interconnect.

Then you'll understand why everybody else is addicted to the fantastic actors and scripts.

I think it is brilliant and so well written. Some bits are actually q funny. Such a great character.

Tbh if you struggled with series 1 ep.1 then it maybe isn't for you. Later episodes have a couple of distressing events particularly a violent cellar scene. But, imo it is brilliantly made and the emphasis is on the strong, but flawed female lead with dark humour throughout.

Despite the occasional shocking scene it really is the best police drama I've seen.

Some bits are actually q funny.

that's exactly what I didn't like about it

But, imo it is brilliantly made and the emphasis is on the strong, but flawed female lead with dark humour throughout

For probably the second time in my MN career I agree with you!😁 I also really like the relationship between the two sisters. So well done.

OP
it is truly brilliant television but it does have one particular episode that is much worse

you may feel differently and find it all too much.

then again, I couldn't watch Luther. We're all different.

I didn't.
Not really sure why it's called "Happy" Valley. 🤔

because of all the drugs.

It is good, but I think it does depend on your frame of mind when watching.

We happily binged the first two seasons over the past couple of weeks and yesterday we put on the first episode of season 3 and I had to stop. The violence towards women was mild but it was enough to tip me over. I think violence towards women can be so prolific for entertainment value one scene can be enough to push you over the edge. In fact, I think because it was a common place scene (than kidnap and rape) it was harder in some ways to watch.

That said though, I do think it really has its merits. The casting is really strong, you really get behind the main character even though she’s somewhat awful at times and it feels relatable with the every day misogyny and on tackling of every day crimes.

Personally I found series 1 the worst for 2 reasons, no spoilers but the realisation the character Tommy was going to be an absolute rotter to Ann and also the scene on the moors which brought tears to my eyes.

The other series i could cope with after that 😂

then again, I couldn't watch Luther. We're all different.
I couldn't either. I saw the first part of the masked man and had to switch off. Horrible.

I stoped watching after the cellar violence; I googled the synopsis and decided I didn't think it was well made enough to justify that level of 'entertainment'. I don't like that kind of thing so it has to be done really well if it all? I know what I mean!

Also I didn't believe the officer would reveal loads of personal info in a busy playground in a small town.

That was just a device to let the viewers know her back story

I watched series 1 and could see why people liked it but one series was enough for me. I preferred The Fall with Gillian Anderson which I'm still watching (series 3).

'For probably the second time in my MN career I agree with you!'

'then again, I couldn't watch Luther.'

No I couldn't either, or The Fall. Just such gratuitously horrific violence against women and while HV does have those, particularly the roadside incident in series 1 and the cellar scene it's all done differently someone. Not sure how but there isn't the focus on creepy men hiding and jumping out.

Yes it’s excellent but it’s an excellent gritty violent police drama so if you don’t like violent police dramas you won’t like this!

I don’t like the genre of farce type plays so no matter how good a French farce play objectively is I won’t enjoy it.

You might not like it but it’s incredibly well-written and acted by any reasonable measure.

I was the same when I first watched it, turned it off at the kidnapping scene in the first episode! But then I was intrigued when it returned and watched the first episode of the new series and was hooked. Binge watched season 1 and 2 to catch up and it is fantastic. Yeah it is brutal in parts but the storyline and acting is so good I can put up with it!

I haven’t watched the new series yet because I’m waiting for it to finish so I can see all of the episodes without waiting. The other series were brilliant. I’m from the area so I enjoy it for that reason but the acting is incredible too. The storylines are rather dark though so I don’t think it’s one for the faint hearted.

That was just a device to let the viewers know her back story

Oh that makes more sense

You might not like it but it’s incredibly well-written and acted by any reasonable measure.

We can disagree , it's fine

Ah, that reminds me, I still have series 3 to watch. So pleased! 1&2 were excellent and often shocking.
The young policewoman in series 2: "I think they've killed me" 😲😲

Yes it stays disturbing but I stay for Sarah Lancashire and Siobhan Finneran’s acting and relationship, the grim humour and then, somehow there is nothing like the grit and compassion that Sarah’s character shows in the very darkest scenes, she somehow shows the very essence of compassion and it’s made me cry a couple of times.

On a slightly lighter note, I love that the leads are older women who aren’t there purely as someone’s partner.

Excellent series, I'm on s2 and really enjoying it.

The bloody jumpscares in the first season freaked me out! I don't mind violence/gore but hate it when something flashes on screen when you don't expect it.