The Casual Vacancy...anyone watching?

[Selks]

If so, thoughts so far?

I couldn't get on with the book but I'm enjoying this so far...a cast of fallible and largely unpleasant characters; plot pleasantly complex(ish), good filming - bucolic pretty England with a claustrophobic feel....

Will be interested to see how it develops.

They might have an accent but not that pronounced.

By the time they come out of medical school and the gp postgrad exams with videoed practice consultations the accents are toned down. I'm not saying this is a good or bad thing: just that for me the actress was a caricature rather than a believable GP.

I agree her accent is too strong. I imagined whilst reading the book that Parminder as having a slight Brummie accent, not a full-on one. Likewise, Keeley Hawes has gone over the top and sounds like she's auditioning for a part in EastEnders.

I haven't read the book but am curious to know the ending ( that so many on this thread have alluded to and said was very bleak)

Last episode!

holly I'll PM you if you wish?

So that woman said.

Ugh it's awful :-(

It's not as bleak as the book but by God it's heartbreaking.

The actress playing Krystal is brilliant.

Traumatised by this episode!

Wonderful actress playing a wonderful character! Haven't read the book, not sure I want to now!

The ending has been toned down a lot for TV I think.

I will never, ever read that book again. The ending is beyond bleak.

Almost everything was toned down from the book, which was a mistake. I especially preferred the more brutal ending in the book.

Very disappointed with this series.

Oh no...but what happens to Robbie? It finished without wrapping it up. He can't go back to his mum surely? My heart is breaking I know it's only tv but I'm sat here in tears

The woman who adapted it for television said she had to make some of the ending positive. Still true to the sadness and heartbreak of the whole story but without the almost nihilistic feeling of the book.

All the kids are good actors actually. Really liked it, but Krystal's fate is going to stay with me for a while.

Wow, those actors are amazing. What a fantastic job they did.

Robbie will be put in care, no doubt about it

songbird, will you read the book do you think? The fate of Krystal from the book hasn't left me either.

The children were all great actors, that's true. Really authentic. [watery ]

scrumpy I assumed Robbie would be going to a foster family. I think the nice social worker going to see the mum was implying Robbie wasn't coming back, as she was only allowed to work in homes with no under 13s.

The ending really upset me...really got to me. I feel beyond sad

I think I will, showy, but I'll be dreading the ending!

The outcome has made me cry, curious to the ending of the book