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Original poster

Ackley Bridge Series 3

45 replies

stumbledin · 19/06/2019 15:07

I have been watching this since it first started finding it a bit like Call the Midwife. ie dealing with difficult issues but wrapped up in a slightly cosy view of the world.

So I caught up with the first episode on the new series after my brain had been sent into over drive by Years and Years.

Really enjoyed the development of the story line for those for whom education offers a way out and for those that education seems like a dead end. But then right at the end was devasted by the ending.

This is the only reason I have started this thread (couldn't find an existing one).

A reminder that even at 8pm life isn't a fairy story.

OP posts:
GinisLife · 19/06/2019 15:08

I just hope they don't die ! It was a bit shocking !!

TeenTimesTwo · 19/06/2019 15:12

They can't die. They are the central characters.

Though the writers need to introduce some more younger pupils otherwise they'll have nowhere to go soon.

TheFirstOHN · 20/06/2019 22:24

I thought it was a good exploration of some of the barriers facing able pupils who come from areas with low rates of low progression to higher education.

The ending was shocking (although would have been even more shocking if they'd cut the last few seconds after the impact).

PantsyMcPantsface · 21/06/2019 20:19

Finally caught up with it - actually I really really empathised with Nas and it resonated a lot with my own experience and feelings going from one of the most deprived postcodes in the country to a posh university and coming up against the British class system full in the face.

Unfortunately I knew the ending spoiler so everytime there was a scene in a vaguely appropriate setting I was expecting the unexpected (hopefully as spoiler free as possible).

They do have some of a younger generation lined up in terms of the likes of Razia's year group (although how they did that fucking dyspraxia storyline pissed me off no end and I'm still irked now) but the year groups in Ackley have always been somewhat... flexible so I'm surprised they haven't just sent Missy's mum back to school yet or something!

The graffiti amused me - something somewhat similar happened at a v. posh private school I worked at and there was lots of staff commenting that the kids hadn't spelt their obscenities correctly and pointed fingers at the English department's inadequacies!

TheFirstOHN · 22/06/2019 07:32

The dyspraxia story was (ironically) handled very clumsily.

Papergirl1968 · 23/06/2019 00:15

I gasped aloud at the end.
I really don’t think either would be conscious though in reality. It probably wouldn’t be survivable.

Papergirl1968 · 23/06/2019 00:21

If you google ackley bridge review, there’s a very funny review in the Guardian - sorry, I can’t do links.
How did I not recognise the hot new teacher as the valet from Downton?!

InterdimensionalHoleOfPancakes · 23/06/2019 14:10

How did I not recognise the hot new teacher as the valet from Downton?!

I knew I recognised him from somewhere so I looked him up and was surprised to see he was also Liam from Corrie. How have I never noticed that Liam Connor and Thomas Barrow were the same actor?!

aleC4 · 25/06/2019 20:43

This episode tonight is heartbreaking.

always2ndbest · 25/06/2019 20:49

Very tough to watch. Have had tears in my eyes throughout.

aleC4 · 25/06/2019 22:04

I actually sobbed and I only normally cry at real life stuff.
I started as soon as Nas found her and didn't really stop!
As soon as the nan came in I knew what was coming 😥

Original poster
stumbledin · 26/06/2019 14:38

I actually put off watching it as I didn't want to know what happened.

Missy was such a stronge young woman even though you could think she was just another school drop out, but in the earlier series the way she tried to look after her sister as well as supporting Nas.

I had hoped she was going to be shown finding a future even though school hadn't really set her up for life.

I read an article somewhere that apparently it has one of the highest viewing figures with young people. Sometimes it feels like they are just doing a tick box of issues in the news, but maybe its good for younger people having a place to look at things out side of the hot house of being in school.

Interesting to note that they haven't as yet tackled the gender identity issue.

I loved it when Nas's mother went to Hebdon Bridge. I know on one level it was a bit silly but I think they manage to give all the characters interesting back stories.

My only gripe is none of the pupils, let alone staff, is grubby and badly dressed. Everyone is so smart!

I thought saying goodbye to Missy was very moving.

OP posts:
TheFirstOHN · 26/06/2019 14:50

My only gripe is none of the pupils, let alone staff, is grubby and badly dressed. Everyone is so smart!

The pupils all look like they've just stepped out of a photo shoot for a school uniform catalogue.

PaddingtonBearHardStare · 26/06/2019 21:23

I just came on to see if I could find a thread for this as I cried most of my way through last nights episode today (although I am 34 weeks pregnant so can blame hormones!!). After they did the song last week and then the beginning of last nights with Nas in heaven I actually considered stopping watching it as I thought it had gone a bit daft. The leather jacket in the back of the hearse was heartbreaking I know it's not real

Papergirl1968 · 26/06/2019 22:45

Dd2 watched it last night and told me Missy died so I thought she’d got it wrong when I started watching it tonight.
I still think they’d both have been killed outright at that speed though. And what the hell were the hospital doing not checking for head injuries? I foresee a compensation storyline...

Original poster
stumbledin · 04/07/2019 00:43

I've just heard there probably wont be another series even though it is C4's second most watched series after Handmaid's Tale.

Maybe it is too difficult to keep it going with pupils obviously having to move on.

Anyhow just to say I am so glad Kaneez got to the top of her hill. I think she is a really interesting character.

And if only social and religious divides could be settled with a father and son cricket match.

But as Naz said how could everyone carry on and not talk about Missy. Sad

OP posts:
staydazzling · 10/07/2019 12:41

i hope naveed is on more i like his character, i hope more is to come

Papergirl1968 · 31/07/2019 23:52

I think this series has been the best yet.
Missy dying so shockingly, the Cory/Anna storyline which avoided becoming a cliche, the introduction of Mr Whatshisname the Downton butler, the wonderful Kaneez who steals every scene she’s in, and Naveed taking the chance to get to know kacey.
Such a shame if they really don’t make another series.

Papergirl1968 · 31/07/2019 23:55

Sorry, Sadiq getting to know Kacey.

Papergirl1968 · 31/07/2019 23:59

Bloody hell, Cory and Sian, not Anna!

stormsurfer · 01/08/2019 00:02

Just caught up with the last 3 episodes and I am very impressed with the way they portrayed the Cory/Siam story. The way Cory became so vulnerable was really believable. Very touching, I thought.

TheFirstOHN · 01/08/2019 00:12

The teachers' inability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with the students is quite annoying though.

Papergirl1968 · 01/08/2019 00:17

I thought Sian Oakes and Emma Keane were the same person - I’m not very good with faces. Or names as my contribution to this thread shows!

Original poster
stumbledin · 01/08/2019 00:36

I was going to try and find this thread as I wanted to comment on last night's episode.

C4 claims it is watched by lots of school children and I wonder what they make of it.

They cover a lot of issues but in a way they are all sort of soothed out.

But I really enjoy all the different story lines and think Kaneez should run the school.

Missing Missy

OP posts:
Brain06626 · 01/08/2019 02:19

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