Happy Valley [BBC 1] [ Spoilers ]

JP Liz V1 · 29-04-2014 8:28pm #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_YjBW5YWvI

Starts tonight at 9

Reminds me of a UK version of Fargo

_Whimsical_ · 04-05-2014 1:11am

I watched this based on some great reviews and found it quite surprising. It had the feel of one of those irritating,homely ITV shows set in Yorkshire about community nurses etc,the sort of thing your granny might watch, but then it threw up some very dark stuff into the mix.

It's a weird combination of heart, grit and suspense/terror. I'm not sure I'll go back for more.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 07-05-2014 1:05pm

^ Same. I was expecting a bit of light evening viewing, nothing too heavy. Also tuned in because Irish actress Charlie Murphy is in it. Very surprised by what it actually was.

Have to say I'm very impressed though. Not sure I would say I'm "enjoying" it as it's very dark. I'm definitely hooked though.

I'm finding the home life stuff just as intriguing as the actual police stuff.

_Whimsical_ · 07-05-2014 4:57pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

^ Same. I was expecting a bit of light evening viewing, nothing too heavy. Also tuned in because Irish actress Charlie Murphy is in it. Very surprised by what it actually was.

Have to say I'm very impressed though. Not sure I would say I'm "enjoying" it as it's very dark. I'm definitely hooked though.

I'm finding the home life stuff just as intriguing as the actual police stuff.

I agree, I'm afraid I don't really like crime dramas as a genre, I'd be delighted if it was just home stuff.Sarah Lancashire is such a great actress too,she puts,199% in. The writer also wrote Last Tango in Halifax, which despite having the most groan inducingly twee premise, ended up being absolutely fantastic and completely avoided the sickly sweet potholes it should've been littered with. It's all "home stuff".
It's on Netflix if you ever fancy a watch.:)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 07-05-2014 8:34pm

Same writer writes Scott and Bailey for ITV too, which I like. I don't mind the crime stuff, it's not a nice situation but they haven't been overly graphic with it or anything.

_Whimsical_ · 13-05-2014 2:10pm

I got around to watching the second episode of this finally and I'm also hooked, it's actually really good.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 13-05-2014 10:58pm

Episode 3 - Wow!

Skid X · 14-05-2014 1:07pm

I wasn't expecting much from this but it is really good (and getting better as it goes on). The scene where the

young Policewoman was killed was jaw dropping, disturbing to watch but very well done

Sarah Lancashire is terrific, she should be up for awards for her performance.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 14-05-2014 2:04pm

Skid X wrote: »

I wasn't expecting much from this but it is really good (and getting better as it goes on). The scene where the
young Policewoman was killed was jaw dropping, disturbing to watch but very well done

Sarah Lancashire is terrific, she should be up for awards for her performance.

I agree, I always associate Lancashire with her role in Corrie all those years ago, even though I've seen her in other things since. Had no idea she was so good.

That scene you mention was brutal! I couldn't believe it, I thought

she'll be fine, she'll be in a coma or something for a few days and then she'll wake up towards the end and tell them who did it, then he drove over her again, and again.... shocking.

It was also quite beautifully shot, that whole sequence, with the fading light, the police cars driving through town with the lights coming on, the subtle music in the background. It's a very well made series.

I think one of the underlying points, if that's the right word, of the series is the dangers the police face on a day to day basis. They're not laying it on too thick but it does make you stop and think a bit. They never know what they're going to come face to face with every time they respond to a call.

FloatingVoter · 14-05-2014 3:47pm

^ Good point. Its clear this isn't some elite squad in London dealing with international terrorists. Thats the impression you often get from cop shows. This shows that country life for your average PC Plod is more than just catching poachers and having a laugh in the local.
This arrived with virtually no hype and is turning out to be the UK show of the year so far.

Skid X · 14-05-2014 6:07pm

In my opinion, the name 'Happy Valley' really doesn't do this programme justice.

It's like a really poor English Essay title. It could be anything from a whimsical comedy to yet another reality show. Something a bit meatier might have attracted more viewers to take a look.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 14-05-2014 7:26pm

Skid X wrote: »

In my opinion, the name 'Happy Valley' really doesn't do this programme justice.

It's like a really poor English Essay title. It could be anything from a whimsical comedy to yet another reality show. Something a bit meatier might have attracted more viewers to take a look.

I don't know, it's doing alright in the ratings. 5.7 million last night, top show outside of soaps.

FloatingVoter · 14-05-2014 8:02pm

There is a reason Sarah Lancashire has a golden handcuffs deal. 5 million people would tune in to watch her read the phone book. It helps that the rest of the cast is excellent and the plot is half decent.

_Whimsical_ · 14-05-2014 10:58pm

Episode 3 was incredible. I can't wait for more. Generally I hate anything from the crime genre but Sarah Lancashire just adds so much to anything she is in, she is utterly compelling. It's very well written too.

Basq · 18-05-2014 5:09pm

Binged watched all 3 episodes yesterday.. more gold from The Beeb.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 20-05-2014 10:10pm

Well, holy s**t.

FloatingVoter · 20-05-2014 10:18pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Well, holy s**t.

QFT. This show is approaching classic status.

Lisha · 20-05-2014 10:28pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Well, holy s**t.

Is there many episodes left ?

I've been loving this series so far even though I've been hiding behind a cushion a lot. It's seriously seriously dark in places and that hi-lighted amoral psycho is just terrifying to watch.

Sarah lancashire is fantastic and I can't pick any actor as being bad.

Excellent cast, compelling writing and so real to watch.

When I hear people ranting and raving about shows like 'revenge' I just want them to watch something like 'happy valley' and realise what good tv really is.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 20-05-2014 10:35pm

^ 2 episodes left.

I thought they were going to drag the kidnap thing out for all 6 episodes. Fully expected Catherine to leave the mothers house without finding anything. Wonder where it'll go now?

I was physically withdrawing from the telly during that last scene, didn't realise I was doing it either. Gripping stuff.

Skid X · 21-05-2014 12:07am

This is getting better and better.

When you think the plot has more or less wrapped up for the week, you get a thunderbolt like that.

Brilliant script, direction and acting. Seven days is too long to wait until the next episode!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 21-05-2014 12:34am

Do we think.... not really a spoiler but just in case.....

Tommy is going to go on the run and end up taking Ryan?

FloatingVoter · 21-05-2014 1:05am

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Do we think.... not really a spoiler but just in case.....
Tommy is going to go on the run and end up taking Ryan?

Distinct possibility. He knows where the kid goes to school and can be charming when he needs to be. His boss at the camp is scared ****less of him so getting cash won't be hard.

Basq · 21-05-2014 10:48pm

4th episode really was superb... the final minute with

Ann dragging Catherine up the stairs, onto the street and to the police car

just just nerve-shredding stuff!

_Whimsical_ · 22-05-2014 12:31am

Wow watched it tonight. I hope Catherine is ok, my God that was so gripping. I was imploring her to radio for support before she went into the basement. I haven't got that involved in anything in a long time.

Already can't wait for next week.

Spoiler ? not really more of a "I was just wondering if"

Does anyone think they next 2 weeks will see a storyline around her sister? Johns mother said that she'd heard about the little boy from some junkies. Catherines sister used to be an addict and was one of the only people to know about the rape.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 22-05-2014 12:42am

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Wow watched it tonight. I hope Catherine is ok, my God that was so gripping. I was imploring her to radio for support before she went into the basement. I haven't got that involved in anything in a long time.

Already can't wait for next week.

Spoiler ? not really more of a "I was just wondering if"
Does anyone think they next 2 weeks will see a storyline around her sister? Johns mother said that she'd heard about the little boy from some junkies. Catherines sister used to be an addict and was one of the only people to know about the rape.

My mum and I were actually shouting at the telly at the end. "press your button on the radio!!!" and other such things

I wondered the same thing about the sister. I don't think she'd have spilled it recently but it's possible she spilled it when she was still using and whoever she said it to only remembered when talking to Tommy's mother after he was released. You'd have to assume the kid will come into the story now Tommy knows he's there. Unless the only reason they had him find out was so he'd confront Catherine giving her a reason to go back to his mother's house?

_Whimsical_ · 22-05-2014 1:56am

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

My mum and I were actually shouting at the telly at the end. "press your button on the radio!!!" and other such things

I wondered the same thing about the sister. I don't think she'd have spilled it recently but it's possible she spilled it when she was still using and whoever she said it to only remembered when talking to Tommy's mother after he was released. You'd have to assume the kid will come into the story now Tommy knows he's there. Unless the only reason they had him find out was so he'd confront Catherine giving her a reason to go back to his mother's house?

I think he seemed surprisingly interested in the kid so he'll definitely be looking for some sort of contact with him through whatever means he sees fit. Hopefully not a kidnap story. I'm not sure my nerves or my reputation in the neighbourhood would stand it. Anymore shouting at the tv and I'll be in trouble:)

I was surprised his mum knew her daughter and spoke of her in a familiar way. It didn't seem likely that the daughter would've been friends with him or would know his junkie mother. There could be a story there too!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 22-05-2014 2:01am

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

I was surprised his mum knew her daughter and spoke of her in a familiar way. It didn't seem likely that the daughter would've been friends with him or would know his junkie mother. There could be a story there too!

She was seeing him for a while before he raped her, was she not? I thought that's what they said in one of the earlier episodes.

Ruu · 22-05-2014 10:10pm

Just watched episode 1, will watch the others this weekend to catch up. Finished up watching Last Tango in Halifax a few months ago. Sarah Lancashire is excellent!

HeidiHeidi · 23-05-2014 9:56pm

This is nerve-wracking stuff!

First thought when I finished watching this week's episode (about five minutes ago) was that Catherine was dead, Ann was saved, and it was all over.

Now I hear there's two more episodes???

Brilliant telly - I don't manage to catch many mini-series, but by golly I'm glad I got this one.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 23-05-2014 10:18pm

^ I knew there was 6 episodes but when this week's episode ended like that, and I'm sure it said in the corner of the screen at the end that the DVD was available now, I was worried it was the end!

Ruu · 24-05-2014 6:09pm

Knew I recognised the younger police officer, she was in the Bletchley Circle series as well (one of the leads).

Ruu · 27-05-2014 6:14pm

Episode 5 tonight. I am all caught up, a bit gorey for me, had to hide behind the couch for some of that. Gripping stuff!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-05-2014 6:36pm

I'm not sure I'm fully recovered from last week's episode yet.

Lisha · 27-05-2014 9:21pm

Jesus it's abit rough

Really hard to watch

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-05-2014 10:47pm

Not quite so intense this week but very heavy emotionally. Broke my heart seeing Catherine disown Ryan like that

HeidiHeidi · 27-05-2014 10:48pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Not quite so intense this week but very heavy emotionally. Broke my heart seeing Catherine disown Ryan like that

I found that much harder going than last week's.

Dark stuff.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-05-2014 11:36pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

I found that much harder going than last week's.

Dark stuff.

Last week's was hard to watch in that it was so nail biting and almost scary. The pace was slower this week but still quite hard to watch on an emotional level.

lovelyhurler · 28-05-2014 10:03am

Have to say that I think that this is one of the best things BBC drama has done in a long time.
Is it a one off series or are they planning a second series?

FloatingVoter · 28-05-2014 12:02pm

I doubt Sarah Lancashire is going to stick around for much longer than a second season (if that) .....she's graduated out of soaps a long time back. I'd rather see it as a great one off.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 28-05-2014 12:53pm

Given the setting there's probably plenty of scope for a second series but everything just fits so well with this on that I think it'd be hard to recapture what makes this one special.
The main crime story mixes in so well with Catherine's personal life and that's what adds so much of the emotional heft to the story, I think anyway. To have her just investigating something completely unrelated wouldn't work as well, and to have a second major crime relate so much to her personal life would probably be a bit far fetched and unbelievable.

It might be better off as just a mini series.

Mr E · 28-05-2014 1:39pm

I'm going to plough through this at the weekend - I've heard nothing but positive things about it.

FloatingVoter · 28-05-2014 1:45pm

Mr E wrote: »

I'm going to plough through this at the weekend - I've heard nothing but positive things about it.

Well worth it - final episode is next week. Its good to see a completely unhyped show turn up as a gem.

somesoldiers · 28-05-2014 2:28pm

I'll second that, really good show, looking forward to the end. I like the way it didn't just stop after ep 4 but has more to tell

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 28-05-2014 2:52pm

It seems to be a real word of mouth show. People seem to be catching up on iplayer after hearing about it and then the figures are higher every week for the new episodes.

Skid X · 28-05-2014 3:22pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

It seems to be a real word of mouth show. People seem to be catching up on iplayer after hearing about it and then the figures are higher every week for the new episodes.

I think Happy Valley would be a great acquisition for RTE, TV3 or TG4. Lots of Irish people who haven't got BBC (or missed the start and haven't got the means to watch it online) would enjoy this series.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 28-05-2014 3:47pm

I'm sure it will pop up eventually. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a US remake announced too. They went for Broadchurch which I don't think was a patch on this.

FloatingVoter · 28-05-2014 5:15pm

Broadchurch was a longwinded road to nowhere. This one has been thought out. Fargo is about as close as it gets to Happy Valley for comparison. Except this is realistic. And I'm a big Fargo fan.

Dozen Wicked Words · 28-05-2014 5:27pm

Annoyingly I let my preconceived ideas steer me away from this. Ex soap star in story written by last tango in Halifax writer. Nah.

So, I've clearly got it wrong and will have to catch up with this. Last tango supposedly not as trite as my narrow mind presumed either.

I'm off to give myself a stern talking to.

_Whimsical_ · 28-05-2014 10:30pm

Tonight was great again, the scenes with Ryan were absolutely heartbreaking. I really respected how they let this episode flag a little in the high drama stakes and took the time to tease out the emotional tole that everything had taken on Catherine. All too often in these kind of shows the main character bounces back like Road Runner,as if nothing much has happened and it's had no emotional impact.
Still I didn't really see the turn of events with Tommy coming, it throws up something new all the time.
I'm a little in love with this show, I'm really sorry it's ending next week.

FloatingVoter wrote: »

I doubt Sarah Lancashire is going to stick around for much longer than a second season (if that) .....she's graduated out of soaps a long time back. I'd rather see it as a great one off.

I don't think this is soap, it's very well written drama. She's already been in Last Tango for 2 series and will be in a third. I can't see how they could make another series of Happy Valley that would have so much impact but I think the writer is superb and it's surprised me every week so I'm looking forward to being proved wrong.

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Annoyingly I let my preconceived ideas steer me away from this. Ex soap star in story written by last tango in Halifax writer. Nah.

So, I've clearly got it wrong and will have to catch up with this. Last tango supposedly not as trite as my narrow mind presumed either.

I'm off to give myself a stern talking to.

You deserve a talking too...but at least you'll be rewarded after it

Last Tango is very good too. I thought I would hate it,that it would be some sacherine sweet,trite, sleepy little drama but it actually avoids all the pothole it should have fallen into. Instead it has heart, humour, a bit of grit and it's really feel good. It's a surprising show. You'd never guess you'd find people in their late 70s so entertaining and relatable.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 28-05-2014 10:56pm

^ I found the box set of Last Tango in the library the other day and was going to borrow it but thought it might get a bit confusing watching Lancashire in two shows at once. I'm definitely going to watch it after Happy Valley finishes though.

I like Sally Wainwright as a writer but I found with her ITV show, Scott & Bailey, that it lost the plot a little by the 3rd series. I'm not sure I want to see another series of Happy Valley unless she's had it planned out already and it's not just BBC's decision on the back of how successful it's been.

Ruu · 29-05-2014 1:23am

That's one evil bastid, wouldn't even call him human! Showdown expected for next week I'd imagine (hopefully with the little lad not involved

)

Happy Valley [BBC 1] [** Spoilers **]

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Happy Valley [BBC 1] [ Spoilers ]