Anyone going to watch ‘Four Lives’ on BBC1 tonight?

Excellent. It had me in tears.Some fine acting, very natural.
Stephen played a fantastic part as did Sheridan Smith.

Thoroughly ashamed of the way the police conducted themselves. Shocking.

Chicken guy did go to the police. Don't want to say more in case people haven't watched all of it.

Curlywhirly

Maggiemaybe

One of the things that puzzled me was why chicken guy didn’t pick up on the fact that Gabriel’s body was found in the local churchyard, just after Port had claimed he’d gone back to Slovakia. We saw others reading the online article saying that Gabriel had been identified.

I said exactly the same thing too.

Apparently the chicken guy had no reason to disbelieve what Port told him about Gabriel. He was unaware that Gabriel was found dead in the Barking graveyard until a year later because he was away that month (August).
I'm sure that chicken guy must have been suspicious, and even Gabriel himself had confided in him, so why he didn't want to report it is a mystery.

It isn't the sort of drama I usually watch but because on here Stephen Merchant was mentioned I was curious to see how he fared playing a serious role. I'm so glad I watched it. What an incredible story, I hope the policemen who were so insensitive get/got a reprimand and a lot of training. I know mention was made that they have since been promoted, well I hope they have improved a lot. Stephen Merchant's performance was incredible and like others I was very touched by Sheridan Smith's portrayal. I hope they both get awards. A dreadfully sad set of stories, I hope none of us ever have to endure what those families went through.

And none of the police officers were reprimanded, five were promoted, appalling.

Maggiemaybe

One of the things that puzzled me was why chicken guy didn’t pick up on the fact that Gabriel’s body was found in the local churchyard, just after Port had claimed he’d gone back to Slovakia. We saw others reading the online article saying that Gabriel had been identified.

I said exactly the same thing too.

Did anyone see the documentary on the case that was broadcast after the last episode? The incompetence of the police was breathtaking- so many missed opportunities to catch the killer. It stated at the end that there may now be an enquiry.

Beautifully acted Sheridan Smith was brilliant, so very sad had me in tears Poor lads, poor families, at least he ll never get out but that’s no consolation is it

One of the things that puzzled me was why chicken guy didn’t pick up on the fact that Gabriel’s body was found in the local churchyard, just after Port had claimed he’d gone back to Slovakia. We saw others reading the online article saying that Gabriel had been identified.

I'm desperate to find out tonight whether the guy with the chickens who visits him in his flat actually blows the whistle. He is getting close I think seeing the drug paraphernalia.
Don't tell me yet!

I've binge watched the whole thing and can't wait to discuss it. Superb acting from the whole cast from start to finish.

Best programme I've watched for ages and I can't wait for tonight's episode. So sad though for the boys and the way the police didn't bother to investigate their deaths thoroughly. At 10.30 tonight there is a documentary How Police Missed the Grindr Killer. It should be interesting.

I watched it all and I agree that Stephen Merchant was brilliant, so was Sheridan Smith, in fact the whole supporting cast were superb too. I hope the production wins lots of awards.

Stephen Merchant is brilliant in the role.

Calistemon

^I’m not sure that I’d be able to watch it^

Me neither simply because I don't think I can bear to watch the lovely Stephen Merchant in such an evil, menacing role.

He’s a great actor isn’t he. I was never a fan of The Office but might try to watch it on catchup if it’s on there as I’ve realised that Stephen Merchant and Mackenzie Crooke were the real stars ( I ‘ve never liked Ricky Gervaise).

I’m not sure that I’d be able to watch it

Me neither simply because I don't think I can bear to watch the lovely Stephen Merchant in such an evil, menacing role.

Urmstongran

Actually you think this is something that’s going to be set in the 1970s, with the reactions of the police and the sort of hum of homophobia, but it’s 2014!
It’s shocking.

I totally agree with you Urms it’s really almost unbelievable. Anthony’s mother was treated appallingly by the police.

Yes, and also the fact that the Met itself is renowned for fostering a macho culture.

I think it was homophobia mixed with the idea that drug users brought it on themselves.

The way the bodies were slumped against walls and full of drugs gave the impression that they were part of a subcultural group that the police had written off as not worth too much effort. It is disgraceful, and I hope that the thought of a force being exposed by another TV drama might make them think more carefully.

I'm not sure about naming and shaming actual police officers in dramas, as they do take a certain amount of licence for the sake of drama, and they can't be 100% sure that everything is accurate. The force as a whole though - definitely.

I’m not sure that I’d be able to watch it, the subject matter being so sad. I didn’t see the series ( or was it a one off drama) about Nielsen, either, although my daughter told me that was very good. It makes me think of the Yorkshire Ripper who didn’t seem to be taken seriously at first because he was ‘only killing prostitutes’ Having said that, I’ve often wondered, given that so many people go missing each year, how the police, in general, seem to know straight away if it’s suspicious. I’ll never forget my daughter uncharacteristically going missing for just a few hours one night and the panic I felt.

Actually you think this is something that’s going to be set in the 1970s, with the reactions of the police and the sort of hum of homophobia, but it’s 2014!
It’s shocking.

God yes, I bet she thought the second time ‘I’m jinxed’. ?
Bet she was anxious taking her dog out for a while after. Two dead bodies whilst out for ‘walkies’ you’d think ‘what are the odds?’. Poor woman.

I vaguely remembered that it was the same lady with the dog who found the two bodies against the wall, poor lady. Surely she must have thought there was a connection?

The thing is Urmstongran there's so many strange happenings going on around East London every week that when you're actually living amongst it you don't take a lot of notice, if you get what I mean.

Josieann that’s pretty amazing. Being so close yet as you say, unaware too. Your life was bound up with other happenings at the time if this didn’t register - it probably made a huge front page in your local newspaper.