Happy Valley, same writer as Scott and Bailey [Poss spoilers - added by MNHQ]

[MorrisZapp]

I thought it was brilliant, although some generational shifts confused me. The lead character played by Sarah Lancashire had a grandson but didn't look old enough.

The company boss had been friends with the accountant's father, that didn't add up did it? Or did I get that wrong.

Great to see the George Costigan and Siobhan Finneran reunited although not onscreen together.

Brilliant writing and simply superb acting I thought, anybody else enjoy it?

Last night's episode was less nail-bitingly stressful than previously but I really like how they showed the aftermath of the kidnapping. It would be easy to finish with the victim freed, the heroic police officer covered in glory. But what we saw was Cath's profound depression, her altered relationship with poor little Ryan, and to a lesser extent Ann's heroin withdrawal and struggle to protect her mother from the truth.

I imagine the drama will ramp up for the final ep but I enjoyed how they showed realistic consequences last night. Could probably have done with a little more about Ann TBH but realise it's not 'her story'.

I don't think the violence is gratuitous at all. It could be much worse.

What I do notice is the bungling of the police- how they constantly just miss the bad guys!

I was sure last night that they had spotted them hiding in the flat- lots of meaningful camera shots on the 'evidence' and would be back very soon but this wasn't followed through. If they had been brighter they'd have come back 10 minutes later!

What I find interesting is the writer's almost ambivalence to the 'villain'. he's 99% despicable, but at the same time we see his softer side and there are times when you are made to feel sorry for him - someone who's had a terrible childhood and you think how bad parenting results in this- and his obvious 'caring' for his son.

Interesting stat on Radio 4 this morning- 2/3rds of children with fathers in prison end up offending too.

I wanted to slap Kevin in the scene where his wife visited him. Steve Pemberton does self-pity and self-delusion so well.

I think Cath needs a date with that lovely detective who I noticed had a nice bedside manner.

I wanted to slap Kevin's wife. She knew a girl had been kidnapped and she still took the money. Now she's trying to wriggle out of any blame.

I agree everlong The women have shown far more strength than any of the men. The men have all fallen to pieces. Tommy has shown signs of breaking but hasn't yet crumbled. He will. Ann has shown remarkable strength. Going through what she did, saving Cath, facing her mother's death yet still having the presence of mind to protect her from the truth, refusing to become addicted to heroin... I think if it had been a male who was kidnapped the dynamics would have been totally different.

The men have all fallen to pieces

Richard's finally stepped up, though, in the last two episodes.

I think last night's episode put the proverbial pot of water on the stove and next week said pot will boil over.

Thought SL was excellent last night, all those different emotions and feelings.

As for Kev and his wife aargh!! Mind you I loved it when he was being interviewed and then arrested, the pair of them are really pathetic.

Not sure how Tommy sustained his injuries though it just looked like he had cold bloodedly murdered Lewis? He really is a piece of work isn't he.

I still think that Councillor with the packet of cocaine in his car is going to feature somewhere in the final denoument.

Yes, the wife is a selfish bitch who I also wouldn't mind slapping. 'I was just trying to make sense of it!' she told Kevin when he pointed out she had some of the blood money.

rightsaidthread I am even more shallow because I think Tommy is yum. (The actor, I hasten to add) Yes, Richard is a good person.
I'd forgotten about the councillor. Would be good to see him getting his comeuppance.

So was Tommy really injured or just kidding the flatmate?

Councillor's cocaine supplied by Ashley?

The birthday celebration is being heavily featured, I reckon that'll be the scene of the confrontation.

Oh yes a birthday confrontation.

To be honest, I'd be as pissed off as Cath, the policing is shocking!

Wouldn't you have sensed the flatmate was nervous and too friendly, Cath would have.

Why weren't they watching the flats, Tommy stands out like a sore thumb!

I know I'm overthinking this.

I reckon the councillor is high up in the chain of the drugs coming in. Him or the police officer who refused to let Catherine take it further.

Did anyone else notice that when Richard was giving that lecture about all kids being a nightmare sometimes, he said, 'I mean Becky - ' and before he had a chance to say what she'd done, Catherine shut him up? What did she do? And is it how she got mixed up with TLR?

I considered the flash backs to her daughter hanging as being a result of the young police woman being murdered. In the scene when she stated 'I'm not your mother' etc before she was killed. They had a warm relationship and it could be interpreted as maternal, but SL then went on to have the professionalism she needed to handle the situation with her in the office.
As we only saw the flashbacks once the police woman had died, I saw them as that incident had triggered them for the character.
We found out this week that she hadn't given herself time to grieve for her daughters loss and this has been part of that realisation.
Therefore I think the flash back scenes are relevant to the characterisation and the characters journey.

I think Tommy stabbed himself, hence the blood and him limping afterwards, StillStaying.

Richard is yum! (Shallow)

And he is Scottish.....great actor then!

Yes I remember him playing an obnoxious doctor in 'No Angels'. In the days when C4 used to broadcast really good drama

According to the Radio Times, it seems the birthday party next week will be very eventful...

I've watched final episode (couldn't wait and have access to BBC preview site). No spoilers but it's good.

totally in awe of what an incredible actress Sarah Lancashire is

Sarah Lancashire is a brilliant actress.
Happy Valley is so much better than Broadchurch with all it's hype.

Nancy I'm so