Happy Valley - Ann Gallagher

[DottyLS]

I love Happy Valley and all the characters but one thing bugs me: in series 2 Ann seemed, at least, outwardly quite calm and even humorous, but now in series 3 she's an angry raging mess - not surprising given what she's been through but it's just that she seems unrecognisable from how she appeared in series 2. Does anyone else find that?

I have definitely noticed that but honestly I think it’s probably an unsurprising change given, as you say, what happened to her. The timeline maybe would’ve made a bit more sense if season two she was angrier and more obviously hurt as she is now and by this point, seven/eight years later she had started to feel more like herself again. But then, I am no expert in trauma response or psychology generally.

Frankly becoming a Police Officer does that to you. The rose coloured spectacles have come off and thinking you were going to be some avenging angel helping people who don't want to be helped and then positively hate you takes it's toll.

That is in addition to what she's been through so really not surprising.

Yes I agree. It’s understandable that she would be angry, with what she’s been through but in the last series her personality did seem different to how it is now.

I think the change to the angry persona in this series is necessary for the plot, so that Ryan can feel enough alienation from people who are supposed to care about him that drama can then ensue.

I also find it utterly ridiculous that Clare took him to see his dad and that whenever there is an opportunity for Catherine, Ann or anyone else to tell Ryan everything his dad has done, people don’t take it. Ann could have told him what Tommy had done to her but she didn’t. Again, necessary for the plot. If Ryan doesn’t know enough about what his dad has done, he might be tempted to see him and so on., this more drama.

I think she's been triggered by finding out that Ryan, Clare and Neil were visiting TLR

plus also though she should go and see my hypno-therapist who is a miracle worker.

also maybe she's fed up with daniel looking like martin freeman.

I agree with this and it is like she is having to relive through all that trauma again, having held it together 4 so long! Although she has got her Dad and Catherine, her mum is no longer around and the case she is working isn't helping matters either!

Unfortunately I feel that scene with Ann, followed with him telling his gran he loved her to no response and TLR telling Ryan he loved him will cause Ryan to listen to TLR. Poor Ryan.

it's just that she seems unrecognisable from how she appeared in series 2

Not just me who immediately noticed Charlie Murphy's nosejob then.

Ann is very different. She has probably had the most seen changes. But honestly she was a snotty entitled angry brat in the first season. Then she was flight or flight mode. Then she was picking her life up joining police service wanting to go into other law enforcement roles. Some risky behavior. She does seem an angry mess. So does Daniel’s step mom. I feel sorry for her. Would have liked to see reference to Daisy. She was a step mom technically. Makes you understand Neil why can’t dads see their kids? I think Ann was a mess finding out he moved closer and then once he escaped. To be completely honest the person the most sensible and calm and in control and thinking clearly in season 3 was Allison Gars. LOL Catherine was like Tommy how she spoke to Claire. Bless her. Claire and Neil were right. The K’s would have just assisted Ryan in the visits by standing it. Could you imagine the life turn for Ryan if the K brothers got mixed with him. Claire did the caregiving for pity sakes.

What isn't always realised unless you've been through it yourself or have known someone going through it is that PTSD can take a while to show, it doesn't run to a schedule. That includes complex PTSD or C-PTSD as it's now often called. Sometimes you can keep going for a short time until you feel safe and in a position where something triggers it. Or even where you don't feel safe.

And just seen this is a bit of a resurrected zombie thread, oops! Still an amazing series with stunning writing and acting though.