The Serpent.

I watched the whole lot in one go yesterday. At first I thought it was a bit naff but I got hooked.
Absolutely fascinating story. A really strange/evil man. It always fascinates me when 2 evil people come together.

I binged watched 5 episodes yesterday, its got me gripped! will be watching the other 3 today. The story is quoted as 'inspired by true events' which is a very vague statement as the story is basically an essence of the original story so not as accurate as a 'true story'. A lot of the characters and scenes surrounding it are fictionalized.
Dont let this put you off, it is a very good drama.

I've just watched the first episode and am quite hooked. It is quite unsettling, but less distasteful than the many crime thrillers in which the murders are carried out just for fun or to tease the police by leaving deliberate clues. At least in this case the motives and methods are clear from the start. I liked the very believable setting and characters, but I think it must have got under my skin as I had a dream about having my rings stolen!

Well I’ve watched all of this now and thought it was very good, the best thing I’ve watched for a while. It was interesting to read the updates of the various characters at the end. The serial killer was not glorified at all Boz, quite the opposite.

Good point overthehill no I was definitely lugging suitcases in the 70 s

Yes we'll continue watching. I did spot the evil couple at the airport with wheeled suitcases, I maybe wrong but don't believe they were around in the 70s

Rewatched it this afternoon without napping and yes got into it

5 minutes in decided not for me.

I agree, Calendargirl

There are plenty of feelgood programmes on TV for anyone who is upset by a drama about a real life crime.

It’s not entertainment boz it’s education I knew nothing about this case and dramatising it brings to life the dangers and the sadness of some peoples lives I m not watching to glorify the murderer or rub my hands at the killings it’s to tell me something about a serial killer I had never heard of
These people are in the midst of us
Your post reminds me of a workmate who use to say I never watch the news as I don’t want to be made to feel sad about what’s going on in the world how selfish and flimsy is that

eazybee

Unpleasant and salacious.

It is unpleasant I agree, but salacious?
Kate49 my husband wont watch anything that harms young people
Much like myself, but I felt I would watch it as I was in a serious and dangerous situation whilst on holiday in the 70s, but had the presence of mind to escape.
Sends shivers down my spine to think of it all now. How lucky I was.

I don’t agree Boz.

If a young person thinking about going on a gap year watches a programme such as this, it might give them food for thought and make them more aware how certain people just aren’t all they appear to be.

Sadly life is not as cosy and innocent as All Creatures and other such programmes make out.

I think it is awful to glorify evil serial killers by giving their deeds dramatic oxygen. Where is the entertainment value in seeing young innocent people killed? Serial killers (and this one is still alive) just love all this. They should not even be named, let alone glamorised.
No wonder "all Creatures G & S" got massive viewing figures. Life is hard enough atm without nasty stuff on tv.

I watched two episodes of this yesterday and although a very unpleasant story I think it is very well produced and acted. I usually dislike lots of flashbacks but found the story easy to follow. I am wondering if, as in The Assassination Of Gianni Versace, we will find out if events in their early life contributed to the adults they became. I will carry on with it.

I thought it was interesting and will stick with it. It was a bit confusing with all the flashbacks but I decided to simply watch it as rather chilling entertainment rather than try to understand the sequence.
It's chilling when you think of how many youngsters go off on exotic adventures but can so easily find themselves in danger. We were all naive when we were young and thankfully this type of thing is rare.

I didnt watch it last night, just started watching it on catchup, 30 mins in I was really confused so went to turn the program off and realised I was watching the last episode 8 the final episode!!! ( senior moment)
All the episodes are on bbc1 catchup.

I'd thought this was to be a dramatisation of The Essex Serpent' so was bitterly disappointed! Didn't watch.

My husband won't watch anything that shows young people being harmed so we switched over. I may watch it.
I Googled the case. Oh my goodness the things he/they did.

I don't remember the case at all, what an awful man and so to was his complicit accomplice played by Jenna Coleman. I will continue to watch, it was quite horrendous in many ways, my husband thought it was awful, so I'll watch it by myself on I Player.

The actor who played the murderer was previously in The Looming Tower, he was quite wonderful in that, he looks very different in this, archetypal '70s man and not a nice one

After watching the first episode we watched the second on the BBC I player. Hope the remaining six will be as good.

Gave it full attention for 15 minutes, then lost interest, DH watched it all paying more attention than I did.

Didn't like the idea, lasted 10 minutes.
Talking about being innocent travelling, when I was 19 we went hitchhiking on the continent for 6 weeks. We never got into any real trouble although I did let a strange man massage my tummy with leaves when I fell ill!

Unpleasant and salacious.

I wasn’t as drawn in as some of you but I totally admit that I nodded off at one point so better watch it again I think

I don’t remember the case at all

I don't think I'll be watching it as these days I want to watch programmes that are relaxing and don't worry me.

I'll stick with Dickensian on iPlayer instead.