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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:
JaneJeffer · 13/01/2023 17:02

Exdpisatwat · 13/01/2023 17:01

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.

I hated those as well and then I was on edge expecting them at any moment.

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 21:12

Ok so I carried on and I've just watched episode 3 of season 1. I can't cope. I've had to pause it and wait for DH to get home as I'm so freaked out and disturbed. 😪

OP posts:
TheaBrandt · 13/01/2023 21:50

I totally get why people would find it too disturbing. But for its genre it’s excellent. Love that it’s focussed on older women and their wisdom. When Catherine arrests the mother in series 2 reading those official words in such a gentle way - very moving. That’s what sets it apart.

Mollypolly2610 · 13/01/2023 22:33

I just watched Season 1 and I often miss things and bits.

And I never know their names. (I'm old 😀)

Can someone tell me who shot the guy who was dealing the drugs on his caravan site when he was in his car (shooter was on a motorbike).

OoooohMatron · 13/01/2023 22:36

Mollypolly2610 · 13/01/2023 22:33

I just watched Season 1 and I often miss things and bits.

And I never know their names. (I'm old 😀)

Can someone tell me who shot the guy who was dealing the drugs on his caravan site when he was in his car (shooter was on a motorbike).

Nice spoiler. Good job I've seen it
OP hasn't 🙄

Original poster
tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 22:39

Can anyone tell me if Catherine's flashbacks in series one stop at any point? They are ruining it for me as I'm finding it very disturbing 😣

OP posts:
Augustone · 13/01/2023 22:42

I too was very late to the party but have binge watched it and can't believe I left it so long!!

Stick with it. Yes, it is grim but life can be like that and Sarah Lancashire is beyond brilliant.

JaneJeffer · 13/01/2023 22:45

tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 22:39

Can anyone tell me if Catherine's flashbacks in series one stop at any point? They are ruining it for me as I'm finding it very disturbing 😣

They do stop. I think it happens three times overall.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 13/01/2023 22:51

I'm new to it too but have binge watched the first 2 series and am watching series 3 at TV pace. The opening speech that Catherine gives to the man in the kids playground drew me in instantly. It was a "this is what you need to know" ice breaker and delivered so, so well by Sarah Lancashire. James Norton is terrifyingly sinister. The actress who plays Claire (can't remember her name!) is perfect too.

OH hates this type of drama because the violence is too "real". He's happier with fantasy type dramas. But to me, this is a perfect battle of Good vs Bad...except the Good may be a little more complicated than first appears.

Mollypolly2610 · 13/01/2023 22:51

@OoooohMatron

Hardly a spoiler from Series 1!!

Most people have watched it all

Sillybanana · 13/01/2023 22:53

crosspusscrossstitcher · 13/01/2023 15:24

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

I think it’s meant to be ironic.

Xrays · 13/01/2023 22:53

I’m so surprised people find this so hard to watch 😳 I mean fair enough we’re all different but if anything I find it a bit tame / daytime viewing when the kids are at school and I’m a bit bored. I absolutely love it and I’m really enjoying season 3. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Handmaids Tale and Hunters - now they’re really disturbing!

Xrays · 13/01/2023 22:54

tiredmama23 · 13/01/2023 22:39

Can anyone tell me if Catherine's flashbacks in series one stop at any point? They are ruining it for me as I'm finding it very disturbing 😣

I’ve just watched season 2 and up to date on season 3 and no flashbacks of “that” scene.

pleasejustgotosleep · 13/01/2023 23:06

Oh funny I saw this. I've started HV today and I'm on episode one. A bit bored so far but I like the actors so want to persevere with it.
Think I will after this thread

OoooohMatron · 13/01/2023 23:22

Mollypolly2610 · 13/01/2023 22:51

@OoooohMatron

Hardly a spoiler from Series 1!!

Most people have watched it all

The OP said she just started series 1 and specifically asked for no spoilers!

JammiDodgers · 13/01/2023 23:26

Brilliant tv.

I love all of it.

Sarah Lancashire is brilliant and I am slightly obsessed with HV to be honest 😁

rainbowunicorn · 13/01/2023 23:45

Mollypolly2610 · 13/01/2023 22:51

@OoooohMatron

Hardly a spoiler from Series 1!!

Most people have watched it all

The whole point if this thread is that the OP hasn't watched past season 1 episode 1 yet and she specifically says No Spoilers in the opening post.🙄

WandaWonder · 14/01/2023 03:23

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.

You put it brilliantly

RandomUsernameHere · 14/01/2023 03:40

It's the best thing I have ever watched. The storyline, the acting, everything about it is fantastic.

SausageInCider · 14/01/2023 04:43

It is hard to watch and the characters, especially Catherine are hard to like.

Siobhan finneran is one of my favourite actresses and Claire has the patience of a saint. The whole cast is perfect and I guess that’s why it works - it’s real and people and their responses are complicated.

HollyBerri · 14/01/2023 04:52

I thought that about the spoilers - there are loads on here. In don’t think people can help themselves.
I love it - one of the best things I’ve seen but it is very violent and not for everyone. I love the relationship between the 2 sisters and Sarah Lancashires characters sarcastic humour.

TheaBrandt · 14/01/2023 09:49

Watch Silent Witness then you will appreciate how excellent HV is as a police drama. SW is utter shite! Laughable.

Rebel2023 · 14/01/2023 09:54

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.

Weirdly I was the same, got half way through and switched it off
Went back to it before the latest series started and loved it!

VioletaDelValle · 14/01/2023 09:55

Its brilliant.
I grew up where it was filmed and they have got the accents and terminology spot on.

It was that rough too so it's an accurate representation 😂

WandaWonder · 14/01/2023 09:58

There is one voice that is annoying me, I won't give spoilers but I don't think anyone who has seen a lot of it would be surprised